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Firstly, it's like turning your clock back 25 - 30 years - to the way things were! This is a close knit,friendly small town, surrounded by the sheltered waters of Moreton Bay. A great advantage is that you have country living, on a pretty island, which by ferry then car is only an hour 15mins from the Brisbane CBD.

There seems to be two different demographics living on Macleay Island, differentiated between the more expensive properties with beach access or sea views and the cheaper to very cheap properties in the interior of the island with no water views. Often the very cheap blocks are scrub clad (expensive to clear which can't be done without a building permit) probably very small sq.meters in size, or have a drainage/terrain problem always get a soil Test done before you buy!!. Macleay Island is more hilly than most people realize.

It costs about 20% more to build a home on these Southern Moreton Bay Islands - carriage of building materials and cost of concrete truck etc., all having to be transported over by Stradbroke Ferries barges. The small 'weekenders' going up aren't designed for good ventilation needed here in S.E. Queensland searing summers, so, don't imagine saving money that way. Youll need outdoor living with verandas or decks and if in the interior of the island particularly, insect screened enclosures.

Why live or buy on an island and not have water view? Because the land in the interior is cheap I suppose. BUT, the inconvenience and cost of living on an island with no bridge to the mainland should be a deterrent to those who haven't thought about the cost of living here, or 'done the maths considering their needs. There is inadequate funding to Bay Island Community Services to service the needs of the incapacitated, the disadvantaged and the very old. People usually have to move to the mainland to find these services. Travelling to and from the mainland is very expensive and inconvenient. There is no public transport on the island so a car or motorized bike is essential, then, parking near the ferry terminal is at a premium and rarely available after 6.30am each day.

There will never be a bridge to Macleay Island from the Mainland. The cost would be horrendous and the potential population would not justify its construction. (There may be to Russell Island from the southern end in the VERY distant future). Dont believe anyone who tells you otherwise! Most people I know on Macleay Island are here because of the island lifestyle anyway and would strongly object to a bridge connection.

People don't often consider the costs to their families coming over to visit them...passenger ferry and barge costs are very expensive so contact can be minimal with Grandchildren unless people make the expensive effort to go see them on the mainland. Then, many women miss the shopping choices, browsing and purchasing delights available on the mainland.... you wouldn't come to these islands to shop!! The 2 supermarkets have been run down in the last couple of years by the new owners - same family, so there's no competition and their prices are extraordinarily high. However Woolworths do deliver grocery orders several days per week. Like most of our friends we book our vehicles on the barge on our Frequent Floaters' discounted rate of $100. return once a month or so, do a big shop, meet friends, 'do' the shops, see a movie perhaps, or go to dinner with the family there. We are always delighted with our choice of 'our place to call home' when we return, and, don't want to live anywhere else!

Residents here are predominantly over 55 years with most being retired, often have a farming background or are from mainland country towns. Many have sailed the world, are Boaties and fishermen, and are of Australian or New Zealand descent. Many residents now are also from the U.K. and Europe and a few from S.E. Asia. Quite a number of people are families of Vietnam Veterans most of them work in the Lions and Ulysees clubs and are community volunteers. Yes, it's quiet and restful here. Ok, there have been 2 murders in over 100 years of our history - each committed by relative newcomers. The crime rate is very low indeed and our Insurance premiums are cheaper accordingly. Children walk in safety unaccompanied by adults and our community is secure. Like any small town we have our few rat bags or ferrals, but, honestly, they seem only to be visible on the public transport passenger ferries sometimes, or, at the local Pub which we and our friends never venture into. Never judge a person by how they appear is the lesson I learned when first we arrived. People here are usually unassuming and choose to live here because of our wonderful coastal lifestyle and prolific - almost friendly birdlife.

There are midges and mosquitoes, but mainly in the bushy interior. Around the coastline there are breezes deterring these pests and they are no more a pesky than we used to put up with when we lived in Ferny Hills in Brisbane, or, Tallebugera on the Gold Coast - despite the hype.

Macleay Island is a very friendly welcoming community with a hospitable small town attitude and many activities and interests to pursue; craft, Golf, Bowls, Boating, Art and Pottery, ukulele, Tai Chi, Yoga and Tai Kwan Do Clubs. Entertainment with musical dinners and musicians, plays etc at the Progress Hall, good Bistro's and entertainment at the Golf and Bowls/RSL clubs and Tingira Boat Club which also stages international events. There's a welcoming Organic Garden/Market group (wonderful people) at the Lemon Farm which celebrates many occasions, outdoor films in summer, markets Tuesdays and Saturdays. You can be as active and involved as you want! Karragarra Island across 100 metres of swiftly flowing water is lovely too...visit for a 45 minutes walk around or enjoy their great beach. The Passenger Ferries offer free transport between these islands.

There is heaps to do....or, just 'vege' out and enjoy the tranquil beautifully scenic, environment. Fish or catch crab in your pots, toss in prawn and squid nets around the coast, take out your boat or kayak to observe the hundreds of turtle and perhaps dugong and dolphin in these sheltered inner Moreton Bay waters and enjoy over 250 species of native birds to wake you up every day.... Then, when you feel like it, take a ferry or barge to the Mainland and compare.the noise, the crowds, the traffic, the aggression and stress there Here there's none of that!

Be warned. If you are contemplating coming to these islands to live, thoroughly do your homework. Know what you want out of life know yourself, and, understand what you are coming to. Consider the costs involved, consider the lifestyle here, and consider the inconveniences which you may not be prepared to subject yourself to in years to come. As others who came here on a whim, DONT BLAME THE ISLAND for your lack of research. Most of us absolutely love it and wouldnt live anywhere else! I consider that it takes a self-sufficient, organized person with good values to really enjoy island life.