Leslie Massey
Russell Island is an island, a town, and a locality in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. It is the biggest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, situated between the mainland and North Stradbroke Island. The island is eight kilometres long (north to south) and nearly three kilometres wide. It is easily accessible from the mainland, only 20 minutes by passenger ferry from Redland Bay, or via a regular daily vehicle ferry service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Moreton Bay, Redland City, Queensland, Australia |
| Population | 3,698 (2021 census) |
| Size | 8km long, nearly 3km wide |
| History | First settled by Europeans in 1866; known for early 1970s land scams |
| Transport | Accessible by passenger and vehicle ferry from Weinam Creek Marina, Banana Street, Redland Bay |
| Amenities | Schools, shops, cafes, churches, community centres, swimming pool, parks |
| Attractions | Wetlands, flora and fauna, beaches, picnic areas, BBQ facilities |
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What You'll Learn
Russell Island's location and size
Russell Island is an island, a town, and a locality in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. It is situated between the mainland and North Stradbroke Island, in the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. The island is eight kilometres long (north to south) and nearly three kilometres wide. The channel separating it from the mainland is known as Main Channel, and the channel separating it from North Stradbroke Island is called Canaipa Passage.
The island was first settled by Europeans in 1866 when John Campbell was granted a lease on the northern end, closely followed by John Willes and his family. Land auctions began in 1870, and farmers and oystermen became the first full-time inhabitants. With the arrival of the Jackson family in 1906, a small village called Jacksonville was created on the western side of the island. It had a sawmill, pineapple canning factory, jetty, and picture theatre.
Russell Island is known for the infamous land scams of the early 1970s, when the island's farms were divided into over 20,000 blocks and sold by unscrupulous vendors. These blocks were often not as advertised, and the vague promise of a bridge from the National Party government added to the controversy. Media reports exposed blocks that were underwater at high tide and the lack of public land.
Today, Russell Island offers a range of holiday options, from bed and breakfasts to waterfront houses and motel-style accommodation. It is easily accessible from the mainland, with a 20-minute passenger ferry from Redland Bay or daily vehicle ferry services. The island has a small shopping village with services such as a supermarket, post office, medical practice, and petrol station. There are also cafes, shops, and small beaches for swimming and fishing.
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Population and demographics
Russell Island is an island, a town, and a locality in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. The island is also known by its traditional Aboriginal name, Canaipa, which means "place of digging stick or ironbark spear" in Yugambeh.
The population of Russell Island has fluctuated over the years, with a steady increase since the early 2000s. In the 2001 census, the island had a population of 1,779, which rose to 2,473 in the 2011 census. The population continued to grow, reaching 2,836 in the 2016 census. By the 2021 census, the population had increased to 3,698.
The median age of the population on Russell Island was 51 years in the 2011 census, which is significantly higher than the national median age of 37. In terms of gender distribution, as of 2011, the population was composed of approximately 50.3% females and 49.7% males.
According to the 2011 census, 68.8% of the island's residents were born in Australia. The remaining population consisted of individuals born in New Zealand (6.1%), England (5.7%), Scotland (1%), the Philippines (1%), Germany (0.9%), and other countries. The majority of people on the island, 85.8%, spoke only English at home. However, other languages were also represented, including Hungarian (0.5%), German (0.4%), Filipino (0.4%), French (0.4%), and Croatian (0.3%).
The median individual income on Russell Island is $347 per week, while the median household income is $587 per week. The median rent is $200 per week, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1083.
Regarding marital status, 41.8% of people on Russell Island are married, 27% have never been married, 18.5% are divorced, and 6% are separated. There are 139 widowed individuals on the island. The labour force participation rate among those over 15 years of age is 41.4%, with a 19% unemployment rate. The main occupations include technicians, trades workers, labourers, professionals, sales workers, clerical and administrative workers, and community and personal service workers.
Russell Island has a range of amenities and services, including a primary school, a public library, a swimming pool, and a small shopping village with a supermarket, post office, medical practice, and various specialty stores. The island is accessible by passenger and vehicle ferries from the mainland, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
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Transport and tourism
Russell Island is accessible by ferry from the mainland, with a passenger ferry from Redland Bay taking around 20 minutes. Vehicle ferry services also operate daily, allowing visitors to bring their cars onto the island. Mainland bus services connect with island transport services, and there are local buses on the island.
There are several transport options for getting around Russell Island. Local taxi services are available for short trips, and car hire companies operate on the island for those who prefer a more personalised journey or who are staying for longer periods. Bikes can also be hired, offering a leisurely and sustainable way to explore the island.
Russell Island, the largest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, is a popular tourist destination known for its laid-back lifestyle, fishing spots, and natural environment. The island offers a range of holiday accommodation, from charming bed and breakfasts to waterfront houses and motel-style accommodation. There are small pockets of beaches ideal for swimming and fishing, as well as picnic areas with BBQ facilities and grassy open spaces. The island's wetlands feature diverse flora and fauna, including wildflowers and orange mangroves.
The Southern Moreton Bay Island Museum, public swimming pool, RSL, and bowls clubs are among the attractions on the island. The island also has a shopping village with a variety of services, including a supermarket, post office, medical practice, petrol station, and a range of shops and cafes.
The island is home to the Russell Island State School, and there are plans for sporting facilities and a community farm driven by residents. Electricians, builders, and plumbers reside on the island, and essential services such as power, phone, broadband, water, and garbage collection are available.
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History and naming
Russell Island is an island, a town, and a locality in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. It is the biggest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, situated between the mainland and North Stradbroke Island. The island is eight kilometres long (north to south) and nearly three kilometres wide. The channel separating it from the mainland is known as Main Channel, and the channel separating it from North Stradbroke Island is called Canaipa Passage.
The island was first settled by Europeans in 1866 when John Campbell was granted a lease on the northern end, closely followed by John Willes and his family. Land auctions began in 1870, and farmers and oystermen became the island's first full-time inhabitants. In 1906, the Jackson family arrived and established a small village on the western side of the island called Jacksonville, which had a sawmill, pineapple canning factory, jetty, and picture theatre. Russell Island State School opened in 1916, and the Russell Island Methodist Church was opened in 1920 but is no longer standing.
The island is also known by its traditional Aboriginal name of Canaipa, meaning "place of digging stick or ironbark spear" in the Yugambeh language. In 2015, Russell Island residents, along with the Redland City Council, proposed transitioning the island's name to its traditional Aboriginal equivalent, Canaipa. The Queensland Government has officially adopted Canaipa as an alternative name for the island, and it is used alongside Russell Island in anticipation of a full transition once the traditional name becomes more widely accepted.
Russell Island is known for the infamous land scams of the early 1970s, when the island's farms were divided into over 20,000 blocks and sold off by unscrupulous vendors. These blocks were often not as advertised, and the sales relied on the vague promise of a bridge from the National Party government. Media reports exposing the scam found that many of the blocks were underwater at high tide, and there was a lack of public land.
A basic survey of the island was conducted by Robert Dixon in 1839, and he named the island after Lord John Russell, the Secretary of State for the Colonies in the 1840s.
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Amenities and services
Russell Island, an island, a town, and a locality in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia, offers a range of amenities and services for both residents and visitors. The island has a small shopping village with a variety of services, including a Super IGA supermarket, a post office, a medical practice, a petrol station, a chemist, hairdressers, a newsagent, a kebab shop, and a takeaway food shop. There is also a bakery, a butcher, and a garage located just a short walk from the jetty. The island's well-established emergency services include a 24/7 ambulance station, a rural fire brigade, and an SES team, as well as a manned police station.
Russell Island has its own primary school, Russell Island State School, with approximately 200 students. For secondary education, high school students travel to the mainland, with free transportation provided by water taxi and school bus. The island also has a public library, the Russell Island Public Library, operated by the Redland Library service and located on High Street. A Council-built hall near the main wharf and the Bay Islands Community Centre on Jackson Street provide spaces for community gatherings and church meetings.
The island offers a range of holiday accommodation options, including charming bed-and-breakfasts, waterfront holiday houses, and motel-style accommodations. Holiday lettings on the island often include amenities such as fishing access, pet-friendly policies, and balconies or patios. Visitors can enjoy small beaches for swimming and fishing, picnic areas with BBQ facilities, and grassy open spaces. The swimming enclosure, beach, and picnic area adjacent to the jetty are particularly popular.
Russell Island has basic infrastructure, with power, phone, broadband, and water services available to most streets and allotments. Power is supplied from the mainland, and Energex has recently completed a new substation to improve the power supply. Sewerage is not available on the island, so each home relies on a septic system or a home treatment plant. The island also has resident electricians, builders, and plumbers, contributing to its self-sufficiency. Garbage collection is provided, with garbage trucked to the mainland for disposal.
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Frequently asked questions
Russell Island is in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. It is the biggest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, situated between the mainland and North Stradbroke Island.
Russell Island is easily accessible from the mainland via a 20-minute passenger ferry from Redland Bay or a vehicle ferry service.
Russell Island offers a range of holiday options, including charming B&Bs, waterfront holiday houses, and motel-style accommodation. There are small pockets of beaches ideal for swimming and fishing, picnic areas with BBQ facilities, and cafes and shops within walking distance of the jetty.
