About

The Bay Islands

Moreton Bay is a vast Marine Park with some 365 islands dotted throughout and is regarded as the ‘Jewel in the Crown ’ of South Eastern Queensland. The principal residential islands situated in southern Moreton Bay lay between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and are collectively known as the Bay Islands; and ranking in size are - Russell Island, Macleay Island, Lamb Island and Karragarra Island.

The Bay Islands are just a short drive from Brisbane city in the west and are protected by North Stradbroke Island to the east. The Moreton Bay waterway was the original thoroughfare for sailing vessels and steamboats travelling from north to south of the Bay. Nowadays it’s a favoured protected anchorage for sailing craft and motor boats of all sizes.

The four Bay Islands are connected to the mainland by fast passenger ferries and barges, which also serve as inter-island transport. A 17 minute ferry ride (runs every half hour) across protected waters to Redland Bay township on the mainland, and just 40 minutes by road to Brisbane CBD; with the ever-expanding cosmopolitan city of the Gold Coast 45 minutes drive away, and is within 15 – 20 minutes by boat from the island to the northern Gold Coast, Tipplers and Jumpinpin Bar.

The Islands played a key role in the white settlement of the Southern Moreton Bay region. From 1842, when Brisbane and the surrounding areas were opened up to free settlement, primary industries such as timber cutting, fishing and oyster farming flourished here and were important in the economic development of South East Queensland. Until the early 1970s, fruit and vegetable production and fishing supported the small island communities.

The Bay Islands have to be one of South East Queensland’s best kept secrets;

In 2007, after a short 'current affairs' TV program, the islands received an enormous amount of interest. The population underwent a large increase, making previous census figures inaccurate. Estimates based on passengers carried by ferries and active telephone connections place the populations of the two larger Islands Macleay and Russell close to 5,000 each.

The Early 70’s Land Subdivisions. During the 1970’s all the Bay Islands reputations suffered as no local authority controlled development on the islands and land developers commenced promoting and selling off some land lots that were drainage affected or subject to by high tides inundation. The Redland Shire Council has since stepped in, acquired the low lying land and set it aside under conservation purposes. No further land sub-division will become available under current zoning – which means that once sold, and with continuing demand, fuelled by both the affordability of island land and the population increase into S. E. Queensland, the Bay Islands land will become a precious and sought after commodity. Testament to this is the growth of land values recently experienced in island land sales during the last two years.

Please Note: Our Company maintains current council “Zoning Maps” for your perusal.

The Bay Islands are virtually self-sufficient…
All land approved for building homes on the Bay Islands is zoned Residential ‘A’. Having council services for rubbish collection, town water, broadband and electricity supplied. The quality of the island roads varies from island roads to gravel and sealed bitumen and concrete. Council has a works programme in place to upgrade them to sealed roads as the take up of housing demands. As no sewerage is yet connected to the island all waste disposals are via septic or environmental systems installed at the time of building.

If you are considering owning property call us first for qualified information. Nobody knows Russell Island like we do - and we intend to protect and maintain integrity of the Island’s quality image and lifestyle values.

Island Services & Facilities

The best Water Taxi Service in Queensland;
Importantly transport to the Bay Islands is excellent. Running from early morning to late into the evening, modern passenger ferries, that seat up to 180 and run up to 38 times a day from Redland Bay, and vehicle ferries service the islands around 15 times per day from Redland Bay. - There is also a proposed, future ferry service for the Bay Islands linking to the centre of Brisbane city. *See the links below for current Ferry & Vehicle Ferry timetables and information.

Macleay Island

Macleay Island is the second largest of the Bay Islands and arguably the most popular in providing residents an idyllic island lifestyle. Known as the Emerald Isle it is 5.8km long and 4km wide and includes the tiny Perulpa Island joined by a causeway. Macleay has a diverse and interesting history, both Aboriginal and European. The Island's Aboriginal name is "Jencoomercha" and it was regarded as an Aboriginal meeting place with spiritual importance.

First settled by Europeans in the late1860’s it became a prolific farming area, due to its rich volcanic soil and clean fresh water for producing quality fruit and vegetables; as well as oyster leases, fishing and commercial mud crabbing, the establishment of a timber industry and at one stage sugar cane. The Island is famed for its greenery, sandy beaches, fish stocks and succulent mud crabs and of course the famous Moreton Bay bug.

A unique native flora and fauna with mangrove foreshores and beautiful sandy beaches, the island rises 19 metres above sea level and has a thriving wildlife population. There are over 200 species of birds found here and dolphins, dugongs and turtles share the waters.
Macleay Island’s resident population is estimated around 5,000 people, many part time residents, as many homes are second holiday homes. Macleay Island continues to grow in population as people discover the affordable value and lifestyle advantages.

Self-sufficient Island Facilities & Services;
The island is serviced by Power, Telephone and Broadband and Town Water and enjoys good television reception. There is a Pre School and Primary School, Post Office, Police Station and Ambulance Station and Volunteer Fire Brigade, Medical Centre, Service Station, Boat Hire, Absolute Waterfront Bowls Club, Library and Community Centre and local Taxi service. Macleay Island also has a number of Churches, Clubs, Groups and Sports facilities and activities along with an Arts complex and Gallery. Three Shopping Centres a network of smaller shops, Restaurants, Cafés and Take-away, Pharmacy, Bakery, Hairdresser and Beauty Therapist, Hardware, Vet Clinic and Pet Shop.

Macleay Island boasts its own Golf Club and Boat Club and Tavern, and the Island Bowls Club is a favourite giving spectacular Bay views. Nature Reserves, Parks and Barbeques, sheltered white sandy swimming Beaches, and deep water Anchorages and public Boat Ramps to get you amongst the famous fishing and boating spots make Macleay Island a hidden paradise - a quite sanctuary located within an hour of the metropolises of Brisbane city and the Gold Coast.

Lamb Island

Lamb Island is the third largest of the Bay Islands, and is known as the 'treasure of Moreton Bay'. Lamb Island was known for many years by its Aboriginal name "Ngudooroo". There is an abundance of these trees opposite the dam on the island. Lamb Island measures only two kilometres by one kilometre at the narrowest north-eastern end and has a minimum resident population of around 500 people.

Whether you have a boat, or just want to throw a line in from the shore, there is an abundance of fish in the waters around Lamb Island. Walk along the foreshore, into the rainforest and inspect the sea eagle's nest. Sea eagles build only one nest in their life and keep the same mate year after year. There is a swimming enclosure on the northern end of the island on the eastern side.

A deep water passage and former shipping route, known as the Canaipa Passage, is situated east of Lamb Island and runs along the shoreline of North Stradbroke Island to the Gold Coast. The local kiosk provides food, supplies, fuel, ice and souvenirs.

Karragarra Island

Karragarra is the smallest of the rich fruit growing Bay Islands, measuring about half a kilometre wide and four kilometres long. Karragarra was once called "Rabbit Island" (around1884).

Historically, small farms were an important industry on the island. The island offers long north facing sandy beaches with netted swimming enclosure, electric and wood barbeques, picnic tables and shady trees, which are all very close to the jetty. The adjacent passage allows good shelter for boating.

Everything is within easy walking distance and visitors can enjoy a short rainforest walk on the north-eastern end of the island. The landscape is a vision of grey-green eucalypt forest, red soil and blue water that is continually changing. Karragarra has no shops at all, which is preferred by the residents.

Growth & Opportunity:

Within the following list of website links you will find impressive information on the real growth, planned and future potential developments and services of this wonderful area.

If you consider the Bay Islands are only 20 kilometres by water to the northern Gold Coast – what of the future growth and investment potential? We can proudly predict that the Bay Islands future will be a prosperous one. And we welcome you to experience the islands for yourself.

Please contact us for further information click here.