Karragarra Island

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands, also known as the Bay Islands, the RKLM, and abbreviated as the SMBI, are the four inhabited southern Moreton Bay islands located in South East Queensland, Australia. The group is part of the Redland City with a permanent population of 6,153 as of the 2016 census. However, nearly one-third of all dwellings on the islands were unoccupied, suggesting a high proportion of "second homes" are maintained by people elsewhere on the night of the census.

Demography and development

The four inhabited Bay Islands in 2016 were:

• Karragarra, population 204
• Lamb, population 432
• Russell, population 2836
• Macleay, population 2681

The four inhabited Bay Islands in 2006 were:

• Karragarra, population 125
• Lamb, population 373
• Russell, population 1,776
• Macleay, population 1,957

Tiny Perulpa Island is joined by a causeway to Macleay and is generally regarded as part of Macleay.

In 2007, after a national A Current Affair television news segment, the islands received an enormous amount of interest as having the cheapest land in Australia.[citation needed]

Russell and Macleay have most basic services such as supermarkets, restaurants, primary schools, doctors, police, ambulance, fire brigade, SES, clubs and pubs. Lamb Island has a kiosk with basic supplies and convenience items. Karragarra has no shops at all, which is preferred by the residents.

Originally subdivided in the early 1970s, a bridge was promised by the then government. This never eventuated and residents are now feeling the pressure of transport to the mainland for some shopping trips, as mainland parking has become very scarce.

The Bay Islands enjoy a quiet, relaxed lifestyle with many retirees, pensioners and more recently, an influx of younger families looking for some safety and security, away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland.

The inhabited Southern Moreton Bay Islands are not part of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands National Park, which is also located within Redland City.

Postal code: 4184
Population: 160 (2011 census)
Location: 39 km (24 mi) from Brisbane GPO
Weather: 25°C, Wind N at 18 km/h, 80% Humidity
Federal division: Division of Bowman
Local time: Saturday 3:01 AM