The Wide Bay-Burnett region is located north-east of the Darling Downs and north of the Sunshine Coast, covering a region of 52,377 square kilometres (20,223 sq mi). It consists of the Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gympie, North Burnett and South Burnett local government areas. Major centres include Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey Bay and Maryborough. Smaller localities include Killkivan, Goomeri, Murgon, Kingaroy, Gin Gin, Wallaville and Childers (Sometimes referred to as the Isis area).
The coastal area is rich in sugar cane farms and mills, and other primary production, with beef cattle a feature. The coastal area has a significant tourism industry - it includes Fraser Island, a popular tourist destination and world's largest sand island. Its population in 2008 was 276,752.[1]
Hervey Bay began as a dispersed community spread over numerous
small, seaside villages. As the area grew, these communities
amalgamated and became suburbs of the new city. The current city
includes Dundowran, Dundowran Beach, Eli Waters, Kawungan, Nikenbah,
Pialba, Point Vernon, Scarness, Takura, Torquay, Urangan, Urraween,
Walligan and Wondunna.
Townships outside the Hervey Bay city limits include: Aldershot,
Booral, Burrum Heads, Craignish, Howard, River Heads, Toogoom and
Torbanlea and Tin Can Bay.