Covering seven government areas, living in the Wide Bay-Burnett region is the perfect solution for those that enjoy both seaside living and country charm.
Regardless of whether you are a recently qualified doctor or have many years of experience already under your belt, sometimes we all just crave a sea change to spice things up. The good news is that building a life in Bundaberg is well within reach – but exactly why would you want to?
It’s no secret that Queensland is experiencing an interstate migration boom. The global pandemic has changed the way we work, live and play, and when compared to our southern neighbours, Queenslanders have had it relatively lax in terms of lockdowns and social distancing restrictions. Interestingly, Brisbane’s biggest employer is the healthcare industry, with over 12.5% of the city’s population working within this field. With a wealth of career opportunities, this same demand is spreading further north to the Wide Bay-Burnett region, with the local hospital and healthcare network serving as the region’s biggest employer.
Although living in the Wide Bay isn’t exactly what a lot of Australians have in mind when considering a sea or tree change, demand is soaring thanks to its affordability and proximity to the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island and Brisbane. The area’s population growth has exceeded the state average over the past twenty years, and is predicted to further swell to more than 430,000 by 2031 – not bad for a little pocket of Queensland, right?
The population of the Wide Bay-Burnett region is almost double what it was thirty years ago. With many Australians selling up and heading north for a more affordable lifestyle by the beach, bigger blocks in the country, and sometimes even both – exactly how viable is living in the Wide Bay region full time?
Five Things To Know About Living In In The Wide Bay
Wide Bay as we know it, was named by Captain James Cook on 18 May, 1770. He passed Double Island Point, now the tip of the Great Sandy National Park, and noticed the coast trending north-west and forming “a large open bay”. In reality the bay is a coastal indentation, smaller than Hervey Bay to the north, which was also named by Cook. Wide Bay assumed significance as the access way for shipping to the Great Sandy Strait, which separates Fraser Island from the mainland, and from there to the region’s first port – Maryborough – in 1847. The bay itself is but a small part of the larger region that bears its name.
Until 2008, the Wide Bay-Burnett region contained twenty three local government authorities, covering 52,140 sq km and including the cities of Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Gympie. Noosa, once part of Wide Bay-Burnett, was changed by the state government to the Moreton and Brisbane region, but is still often included in figures and reporting for tourism data. Municipal amalgamations in 2008 reduced the number of councils to five, plus Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and the southern part of Gladstone Regional Council.
Over the past century, the big industries in the Wide Bay-Burnett region have been sugar, mining, agriculture, and leveraging the area’s status as a transit point by both ocean and road. Although minnows when compared to the state capitals dotted along Australia’s coast line, the most prominent “cities” or urban hubs in the Wide Bay-Burnett region are Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey Bay and Maryborough. With the exception of Hervey Bay (a tourist destination in it’s own right thanks to whale migration and Fraser Island), the Bruce Highway runs directly through all of the Wide Bay-Burnett’s major towns, which has no doubt done it’s part in ensuring the survival of these regional hubs over the years.
Along with sugar and rum – the lifestyle, climate and overall affordability are attracting more and more retirees, families and even young professionals seeking a change. While there’s certainly something for everyone in this small part of the world, why would you want to commit to living in the Wide Bay-Burnett region as a full time resident?
Enviable Weather – The Wide Bay experiences a humid subtropical climate. Although it’s been exposed to cyclones in the past, it’s generally too far south to experience regular northwest monsoonal influence, and too far north to receive cold fronts sweeping in from the south.
Seaside Living – While living in the Wide Bay-Burnett region is all about embracing that country charm, residents are just a stone’s throw away from a variety of sleepy seaside towns, and can very much experience the best of both worlds.
It’s Affordable – With the median three bedroom house price in Bundaberg sitting at just $260, 000 – is it any wonder why people are flocking to this region in droves? While the Sunshine Coast has become out of reach for many, “seachangers” now flock further north for the prices.
Sporting Mecca – Despite its position in what can only be called “the Bible Belt of Rugby League”, there’s still plenty to do in the Wide Bay for sports lovers. The region is home to a number of teams and clubs that include AFL, basketball, soccer, tennis and even rowing.
Natural Wonders – Tourism is big business in Queensland, and the area is known as the “Southern Gateway To The Great Barrier Reef”. With half the crowds in places like Cairns, visitors and residents can experience the magic of Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave islands.
Living In The Wide Bay-Burnett Region As A Medical Professional
If you’re on the hunt for medical roles in the Wide Bay, there’s a chance that you’ll either want to work a little, a lot – or something in between. Wide Bay based doctor and GP jobs with House Call Doctor offer flexibility, with shifts that fit around your current workload, personal commitments, or even just lifestyle preferences.
Whether you’re looking to travel, increase your earning potential, gain experience, or even just a desire for greater job satisfaction, living in the Wide Bay paired with a career with House Call Doctor could be the just answer that you’ve been looking for.
Are you –
- An Australian or Internationally Trained Medical Graduate
- Have full registration with the Medical Board of Australia
- Have two years post graduate experience, including experience in paediatrics, accident and emergency, general medicine and surgery
If you can answer yes to all of the above, then why not consider registering your interest for our doctor jobs with House Call Doctor today, and be a part of the medical revolution.
