Suburb Profiles
Kooringal (4025)
Owner-Occupier Appeal
Kooringal is a tiny coastal settlement at the southern tip of Moreton Island, around 40 km northeast of Brisbane. It’s one of the island’s most remote communities - a small cluster of beach houses, fishing shacks, and off-grid dwellings surrounded by dunes and national parkland. There are no shops, schools, or sealed roads, and all access is via barge or 4WD track.
For owner-occupiers, Kooringal’s appeal lies in its isolation and simplicity. It suits those who want to live completely off-grid, surrounded by nature and sea views, far from urban life. Power, water, and waste are self-managed, and daily living requires planning - supplies come by ferry or private boat. It’s stunning, but not practical for most people.
Investor Appeal
Kooringal has very limited investment potential. There’s no formal rental market, and property transactions are rare. Homes are typically owned as holiday retreats or passed down through families.
Some investors use properties for short-term holiday letting, catering to 4WD adventurers and fishing groups, but occupancy rates are highly seasonal. Maintenance costs are also high due to salt exposure, logistics, and isolation. It’s a lifestyle investment, not a financial one - best suited to those who value the location more than the returns.
Key Suburb Features
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Demographics
There’s no formal resident population in the traditional sense - only a handful of semi-permanent residents, caretakers, and property owners who visit on weekends or holidays. The community is small, friendly, and self-sufficient, bound by shared access challenges and the appeal of off-grid living. Social life revolves around the Gutter Bar, the area’s only licensed venue and a local landmark for visitors and boaties.
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Distance to City
Kooringal is about 40 km northeast of Brisbane’s CBD, but travel time depends entirely on the tides and ferry schedules. The MiCat barge from the Port of Brisbane takes around 75–90 minutes, followed by a 45-minute 4WD drive down the island to reach the village. There’s no public transport, no sealed roads, and limited mobile coverage.
It’s beautiful, but completely disconnected from city life - every trip requires planning and weather awareness.
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Suburb Projects & Growth Potential
There are no major developments or infrastructure projects planned for Kooringal. The area is protected by national park and environmental zoning, which will keep it low-density and unchanged. Property values move slowly and depend on demand for holiday homes rather than broader market cycles.
Long-term growth is limited but stable - there’s virtually no supply, but also little demand. The suburb’s value lies in its uniqueness, not its investment performance.
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Flood Risk
Kooringal doesn’t face river flooding, but it’s exposed to coastal erosion, storm surge, and extreme weather. Cyclones or high tides can temporarily inundate low-lying tracks or beachfront areas. The dunes and vegetation provide natural protection, but erosion management is an ongoing consideration for property owners.
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Best Buy in the Suburb
Property: Beach shack or cottage on elevated sand ridge with solar, rainwater tanks, and solid cyclone-proof construction - ideally walking distance to the Gutter Bar and beach access.
Kooringal feels like another world - peaceful, remote, and beautifully simple. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and your neighbours are pelicans and 4WD enthusiasts. But it’s also incredibly impractical for day-to-day life: access is slow, weather-dependent, and maintenance can be a headache.
For investors, there’s little to gain beyond owning a holiday spot that few others can reach. For lifestyle buyers, though, it’s pure escapism - one of the last true off-grid coastal communities near Brisbane. Kooringal won’t change much, and that’s exactly why people love it.
