Agnes Water is a relaxed coastal town on Queensland’s Discovery Coast, within the Gladstone Regional Council area. It is widely known as Queensland’s most northerly surf beach and is closely linked with the nearby Town of 1770 (Seventeen Seventy).
Unlike larger resort destinations, Agnes Water offers a genuine holiday-town atmosphere — surf beaches, coastal bushland, national parks and calm waterways — without high-rise development.
Location overview
Around 480 km north of Brisbane
Approximately 120 km from Bundaberg
About 120 km from Gladstone
Roughly 80 km off the Bruce Highway via Round Hill Road
Why Buy a Holiday Home in Agnes Water?
Agnes Water attracts buyers who value lifestyle, space and long-term enjoyment rather than dense tourism infrastructure.
Key reasons buyers choose Agnes Water:
True surf beach lifestyle (rare this far north in Queensland)
No high-rise development
Established holiday destination with repeat visitors
Strong appeal to retirees, families and lifestyle investors
Many owners buy as a holiday home first, permanent home later
What Types of Holiday Homes Are Available?
Beachside houses within walking distance to the beach and cafés
Modern coastal homes designed for low-maintenance holiday use
Acreage and lifestyle properties offering privacy and off-grid potential
Units and townhouses providing a more affordable entry into the market
Real Price Guide: What Holiday Homes Cost in Agnes Water
Houses
Median house price: around $830,000
2-bedroom houses: mid-$700,000s
3-bedroom houses: high-$800,000s
4-bedroom houses: $950,000+
Premium beachfront homes can exceed suburb medians
Units / townhouses
2-bedroom units: approximately $500,000 – $550,000
3-bedroom units: approximately $580,000 – $620,000
Who Lives in Agnes Water? (Population & Age Profile)
Agnes Water has a mature, lifestyle-focused population typical of established coastal holiday towns.
Median age: approximately 49
Under 15 years: ~16%
15–24 years: ~7%
25–44 years: ~20%
45–64 years: ~37%
65+ years: ~21%
This reflects a strong retiree and pre-retiree presence and a stable owner-occupier community.
Housing Stock, Ownership & Rentals
Total dwellings
Approximately 1,800 private dwellings (houses, units and townhouses)
Ownership vs renting
Around 42% owned outright
Around 30% owned with a mortgage
Around 23% rented
Long-term rentals
Approximately 400–420 properties used as long-term rentals
Short-term / holiday rentals
Approximately 220–240 active short-term rentals
Roughly 12–14% of total dwellings
Many operate seasonally or as dual-use holiday homes
Rental Income: Long-Term vs Short-Term
Long-term rental income (typical weekly rent)
Median house rent: ~$660 per week
3-bedroom houses: ~$650 per week
4-bedroom houses: ~$715 per week
Units (average): ~$565 per week
Approximate annual gross income
House at $660/week → ~$34,300 per year
4-bedroom house → ~$37,200 per year
Unit → ~$29,400 per year
Short-term rental income (Airbnb-style)
Typical short-stay performance indicates:
Average annual gross revenue: ~$66,800
Average occupancy: ~54%
Average nightly rate: ~$340–$350
This equates to roughly:
~$1,280 per week gross (averaged across the year)
Peak holiday periods can be significantly higher, while off-season weeks are lower.
Is Short-Term Rental a Profitable Option in Agnes Water?
Often yes — if managed well.
Short-term rentals usually earn more gross income but come with higher costs:
Cleaning and linen
Platform fees
Utilities
Consumables and maintenance
Management or co-hosting fees
Higher insurance
Realistic net income
Many well-run short-term rentals net around 40%–70% of gross revenue.
Using ~$66,800 gross:
Estimated net income: ~$27,000 – $47,000 per year
Cost of Living & Ownership Costs (Typical Annual Figures)
Council rates & services
General rates: ~$1,900
Water access charge: ~$776
Sewerage charge: ~$1,243
Waste / bin service: ~$536
Waste facility charge: ~$80
Typical total: around $4,100 per year
Body corporate (if applicable)
Low-amenity complexes: ~$3,500 – $4,500
With pools/lifts: ~$7,000 – $12,000+
Resort-style complexes: $15,000+
Insurance
Houses: ~$2,000 – $5,000+ per year
Units: building insurance usually included in body corporate fees
Risk Profile: Flood, Bushfire & Heritage
Flood risk
Not a floodplain town
Most residential areas are elevated
Localised flooding possible near creeks
Flood mapping:
https://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/flood-information
Bushfire risk
Surrounded by bushland and national parks
Some properties fall within mapped bushfire hazard areas
Bushfire planning maps:
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/bushfire/planning
Heritage
Very limited heritage-listed residential properties
Heritage controls rarely affect standard homes
Queensland Heritage Register:
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/heritage/register
- Disclaimer: All prices, rental figures, yields, costs, and demographic data on this page are indicative only and based on publicly available information and market estimates at the time of writing; actual figures may vary by property and buyers should undertake their own independent due diligence.