If you’ve been on the lookout for a unique blend of coastal charm, tranquil rural landscapes, and laidback lifestyle, then you might as well call Moreton Bay home!

The region’s close proximity to Brisbane is the icing on the cake! 

Moreton Bay has been attracting more residents because of its unparalleled lifestyle and accessibility to the Queensland capital. So if you’ve been thinking about moving to Moreton Bay, we give you a closer look at this idyllic region north of Brisbane! 

Things to Know About Moreton Bay

Location

The Moreton Bay Region, now known as City of Moreton Bay (since July 2023) is a local government area in Southeast Queensland. It’s located approximately 20 kilometers north of Central Brisbane. 

Population

According to .id community, the City of Moreton Bay has an estimated population of 496,777 with a population density of approximately 242.9 per square kilometer.  

What Moreton Bay is Known For

Moreton Bay is known to have the “best of all worlds” – stretches of coastline, lush hinterlands, diverse ecosystem, and a charming mix of seaside and rural communities. 

It’s home to some of the largest sand islands in the world, Moreton Island, Bribie Island, and North Stradbroke Island. These islands all have their own unique charms, an array of outdoor activities, rich indigenous culture, and abundant marine and wildlife. 

But it’s not just the islands that make Moreton Bay special. The region is actually one of the country’s largest estuarine Bays and is considered a Ramsar Site due to the excellent qualities and features of its wetlands. 

A Ramsar Site contains rare or unique wetlands designated by the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance or Ramsar Convention. Australia has a total of 66 Ramsar sites and these areas are important for the conservation of biodiversity. 

Apart from its plethora of natural treasures, Moreton Bay has so much more to offer. There’s loads of outdoor and recreational activities, local markets, fresh seafood, and an overall healthy lifestyle. 

Why Live in Moreton Bay? 

Moreton Bay is a great place for those who are yearning for a laidback lifestyle with lots of outdoor activities, but just the right balance as it still has close proximity to the city. 

Here are some of the best reasons why living in Moreton Bay is something that’s worth considering! 

A Healthy and Active Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle would be easy and enjoyable in Moreton Bay! In fact, the region has actually been named “the healthiest region outside of Brisbane,” according to the study titled Domain Healthy Brisbane.

The study is based on 10 indicators that are either a boon or bane to health. This includes access to fresh food, walkability, proximity to healthcare facilities, along with hindrances to health such as density of liquor stores and fast food. 

Suburbs such as North Lakes, Ferny Hills, and Woody Point all scored highly in the positive health indicators. 

Allan Sutherland, the Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor said that they give utmost priority to providing their growing population a healthy and active lifestyle. 

This is evident in the region’s over 1,800 parks and 1,800 kilometers of walking paths, which would truly encourage people to move and stay active outdoors. 

Affordable Housing

Apart from its truly appealing lifestyle, Moreton Bay has also attracted more new residents because of the affordability of dwelling options. 

The median property cost for houses in Moreton Bay is at $710,000, while townhouses are at $450,000, and apartment units at $515,000. 

According to Property.com.au, the median property cost in all of Australia is $757,746, while the median property cost in Brisbane is $787,217. 

Since housing is generally more affordable, a lot of people move to Moreton Bay as it still boasts easy access to the business district, airport, beaches, and hinterlands. 

A Haven for Nature Lovers

Whether you like to go on rainforest explorations or island adventures, you’ll find it all in Moreton Bay! 

The region is also home to lakes where you can throw a line or have a picnic, coastal paths for walking or cycling, and lots of trails for all fitness levels. There are plenty of opportunities to spot marine life as well such as dolphins, whales, and sea turtles! 

Here are some of the most popular natural attractions in Moreton Bay! 

• Moreton Island is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Queensland, a perfect place for adventurers and sun-seekers! 

You can snorkel through wrecks, spot marine life, surf the sand dunes, go off-road driving, or just spend the day relaxing under the sun. 

• Bribie Island is another awesome island destination which is easily accessible via land transport as there’s a bridge that connects it from the main land. 

It has several beaches where you can swim and learn how to surf, camping grounds, picnic facilities, and 4WD driving. A protected marine park, the Pumicestone Passage, can also be found on the island. 

• Samford Valley is a haven for eager trail explorers as it has an extensive trail network for hikers and walkers, mountain bike riders, and even horseback riders. 

If you’re in the mood for a historical walk, you can follow the Samford Valley Heritage Trail or the 8.3-kilometer Rail Trail from Dayboro to Ferny Grove Rail.

• Cedar Creek in Samford Valley is a perfect place to take a dip and cool off while being surrounded by lush greenery. It has several rock pools and picnic spots where you can take the whole family for a quick nature trip!

• Mount Mee within D’Aguilar National Park has one of the best bushwalks in the region. It has lookouts that offer the most breathtaking views, the famous Rocky Hole, 4WD tracks, as well as horse trails. 

Accessibility

When choosing a place to live in, you always think about how accessible it is to everything. Luckily, Moreton Bay is right in the middle of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast which means it gives easy access to the business districts and coastal gems! 

It’s also approximately just 30 to 50 minutes from the Brisbane International Airport, depending on your destination in the region. 

When it comes to public transport like buses and trains, you can use the Translink website to plan your journey. 

If you’re driving your own vehicle, take note that Moreton Bay doesn’t have toll roads, but these are more common in Brisbane. You can check out the Queensland Toll Roads website to purchase your road pass and to learn more information on toll roads. 

Good Healthcare Infrastructure 

Moreton Bay also has a good reputation when it comes to healthcare infrastructure. It has two major public hospitals located in Redcliffe and Caboolture, while a number of private hospitals can be found throughout the region. 

Currently, Caboolture Hospital is undergoing several expansions. This includes a new five-storey clinic, a special care nursery, expansions of pharmacy and pathology, new medical day stay unit, and a multi-storey car park. 

The Moreton Bay Regional Council also allotted funding to upgrade medical services and facilities in three satellite hospitals located in Caboolture, Petrie, and Bribie Island. 

Meanwhile, a new day hospital and emergency care health clinic will also be built in Bribie Island. 

Furthermore, according to Domain, top suburbs North Lakes, Ferny Hill, and Woody Point, all scored 10/10 for the hospital indicators. This evaluated the hospital beds per 1,000 population, community facilities, and allied health. 

Home to Top-Notch Schools

Moreton Bay is an ideal place to raise a family as it has an extensive schooling system and is even home to some of Queensland’s best performing schools. 

Five high schools in the region are part of the state’s top schools, according to Regional Development Australia. This includes Samford Valley Steiner School, The Lakes College, St Patrick’s College, St Paul’s School, and Grace Lutheran College. 

In total, Moreton Bay has 49 state primary schools, 13 state secondary schools, 37 private schools, 2 combined primary / secondary state schools, and 5 special schools. 

The region’s solid educational infrastructure is one of the top reasons why young families choose Moreton Bay to be their home. 

Has Some of SEQ’s Best Suburbs

Moreton Bay is said to be the healthiest region in the Greater Brisbane area and it has three of Southeast Queensland’s healthiest suburbs! 

North Lakes, Ferny Hills, and Woody Point all scored highly in a study by Deloitte Access Economics and Tract Consultants (Domain Healthy Brisbane). 

The three suburbs scored 10/10 when it comes to hospital facilities as well as community facilities that promote a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Some examples of these facilities include Ferny Hill’s George Willmore Park, a large open space that’s accessible to the public. 

It has a number of facilities such as a playground, exercise equipment, barbecue, basketball court, cricket net, and a community stage. 

What’s more, the suburb recently opened a heated indoor pool for everyone to enjoy. Olympic gold medalist, Brooke Hanson, was also present during the official opening of the pool. 

At Woody Point, you can find a parkour park by the sea where you can climb and challenge yourself through various obstacles. Just a short drive from there is Suttons Beach where you can try paddle boarding, swimming, or just enjoy a day under the sun. 

Meanwhile, the North Lakes Environmental Reserve can be found in North Lakes. It’s a great place for a walk, a bike ride, a picnic, and you might also spot some koalas, kangaroos, possums, and different species of birds. 

A Wealth of Job Opportunities 

Location always plays a huge role in searching for job opportunities. Moreton Bay’s proximity to the Queensland capital offers a wealth of career possibilities as well as numerous prospects within the region. 

With its solid healthcare, education, and community infrastructure, there’s a high professional demand in Moreton Bay. This can be seen especially with its growing population and array of tourist attractions. 

In Queensland, the most current in-demand jobs are in agriculture, healthcare, education, construction, engineering and mining, and hospitality and tourism.   

Safety

Since Moreton Bay is outside of Central Brisbane, the atmosphere is generally more peaceful since the areas are mostly residential suburbs. Based on the crime rating by Crime Map Australia, Moreton Bay scores 26/100, which is low compared to most cities. 

Moreton Bay is generally a safe place to live in, but of course, it still has its share of criminal activities. The top types of crime in the region are theft and drug dealing/trafficking. 

Thus, residents must still take proper precautions at all times and keep their property secure to avoid theft and burglary. 

In the event of an emergency, you can call 000 or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for health and hospital information in Queensland.