The Federal Electorate of Wide Bay is located in South East Queensland and covers an area of 14,573sq. kms. Wide Bay was one of the original federal electorates at Federation in 1901.

It is bordered in the west by the Federal Electorates of Maranoa, Flynn and Blair and to the south by Fairfax. To the north is the electorate of Hinkler

The Wide Bay Electorate includes the State Electorate of Gympie, the majority of the State Electorates of Maryborough and Noosa, and parts of the State Electorates of Hervey Bay, Nicklin and Nanango.

Wide Bay includes the Local Government areas of Gympie, and part of the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast and South Burnett and all the former Council areas of Maryborough, Cooloola, Noosa, Tiaro, Woocoo, Kilkivan, Murgon and Cherbourg and small parts of Hervey Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

Wide Bay was named by Captain Cook on 18th May, 1770, as he sailed up the east coast of Australia. The surrounding area was proclaimed a pastoral district in 1848. The geographical feature of Wide Bay stretches more than 100 kms from Double Island Point (near Rainbow Beach) in the south to Indian Head on the north-east of Fraser Island.

Wide Bay’s chief industries include tourism, light and heavy engineering, sugar, timber, fishing, beef, dairying, pigs, cotton, grain, fruit and vegetables.

Maryborough was settled as a port in 1847 and its heritage has been preserved for all to see. The historical Portside Precinct offers sensational parklands, museums, restaurants, art galleries, steam train rides, river cruises and unique tours with costumed heritage guides.

Electric and diesel trains manufactured in the city of Maryborough are exported to other States of Australia and around the world. The city is also known as “the home of Mary Poppins”, with quirky attractions including the annual Mary Poppins Festival and the Story Bank Museum which honour city as the birthplace of Mary Poppins author PL Travers.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and a treasured part of Australia’s natural and cultural heritage, which is reflected in its World Heritage listing. It is a popular tourism destination and forms the southern-most part of the Great Barrier Reef.
Gympie, known as the “town that saved Queensland” due to its goldmining heritage, has gained national acclaim for the Gympie Country Music Muster held in late August each year in the Amamoor State Forest and attracting 40,000 people from around Australia for a true musical experience.

Close to Gympie you will find fisherman’s paradise Tin Can Bay, Inskip Point – a favourite camping area – and Rainbow Beach and its famous rainbow staircase, which is growing into a tourism destination in its own right as well as being a setting off point for Fraser Island.

Around the smaller inland centres of Goomeri and Murgon, you will discover some of the South Burnett’s many wineries and sample the area’s fine produce.

Noosa also one of Australia’s iconic tourism destinations, noted for the careful management of its ecology, providing a truly natural tourism experience, marrying its natural charm with world class accommodation and restaurant offerings.

Nearby Pomona hosts thousands of visitors each July for the “King of the Mountain” foot-race up nearby Mt. Cooroora. If you think you can run to the top of the mountain and back in under 24 minutes, why not come along and try?

Wide Bay is a very special part of Australia and a perfect place to live, work and holiday.

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

In the spirit of Australia, I acknowledge all citizens who contribute to making our nation the greatest on earth.

I acknowledge our defence force personnel, past, present, and emerging, for their service to our nation, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Australia.

I also acknowledge the Australian taxpayers who, through their hard work, pay for the infrastructure, health, education, and emergency services that keep our proud nation healthy, safe, and prosperous.