Dongara
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Dongara, WA 6525.
About Dongara
Welcome to Dongara
Dongara sits on the Batavia Coast of Western Australia, roughly 360 kilometres north of Perth along the Brand Highway. Best known alongside its coastal twin Port Denison, this is a town built on rock lobster fishing and grain farming, with wide streets lined by old moreton bay fig trees and a mix of heritage limestone buildings and newer family homes.
It's a place that suits retirees, grey nomads and families after a slower pace by the water, rather than commuters chasing a city fringe. With a population of just 1,393 and a median age of 51, Dongara has the feel of an established coastal community rather than a new estate — though the two are increasingly connected as Port Denison's marina and beaches draw more attention to the area.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Dongara revolves around its historic main street and the working harbour just next door in Port Denison, where the local rock lobster fleet still operates. The pace is unhurried, with cafes and pubs serving a mix of locals and travellers passing through on the way up the coast. Fishing, beach walks and boating are the main pastimes, and the closeness of Port Denison means residents can enjoy a coastal lifestyle while living in a town with a strong sense of its own agricultural and maritime history.
Shopping
Dongara's town centre covers everyday needs with a supermarket, bakery, pharmacy and a handful of local retailers, while Port Denison adds further cafes and speciality shops close to the marina. For bigger shopping trips, residents typically head to Geraldton, about an hour north, which offers a fuller range of retail, homewares and major supermarkets.
Getting around
The Brand Highway runs through Dongara, making it the main route both north to Geraldton and south towards Perth, a journey of a few hours by car. There's no passenger rail service to the town, so a car is essential for most residents, whether for the daily commute to work on local farms and fishing operations or for accessing larger regional centres. Regional coach services also link Dongara to towns further along the coast.
Schools & families
Dongara District High School serves the town, catering to children from kindergarten through to Year 10, which makes it a practical base for younger families who want their kids to stay close to home for schooling. Older students generally travel to Geraldton for senior secondary options. The town's slower pace, low traffic and beach access also make it popular with grandparents and retirees who've settled near their families.
The property market
Dongara's property market has moved sharply in recent times, with the median house price now sitting at $800,000 after growth of 30.6%. That's a notable shift for a small coastal town and reflects renewed interest in affordable regional coastal living. Current listings show a market split fairly evenly between vacant land (53%) and established houses (42%), with a small share of apartments, units and acreage or rural lifestyle properties making up the remainder — giving buyers a genuine choice between building new or buying into the town's existing housing stock.
Parks & recreation
Between Dongara and neighbouring Port Denison, residents have easy access to beaches, the Irwin River foreshore and several well-kept parks and reserves. Fishing and boating are woven into daily life here, and the surrounding countryside — including the small locality of Bonniefield nearby — offers open space for those who prefer a rural outlook without leaving the district.
Market snapshot
Dongara property market
Median sale price
$800k
House · 4 bed
Median rent
—
per week
Gross rental yield
—
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$571k
Median
$800k
Premium
$1.22m
Days on market
45
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
17
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth +16.1% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Dongara by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Dongara, WA 6525.
Population
1,393
residents (2021)
Median age
51
years
Household income
$1,092
median, per week
Median rent
$268
per week
Median mortgage
$1,600
per month
Mortgage / income
34%
stretched (>30%)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Dongara
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Dongara
$225k
12/50 Waldeck Street
Sold ~July 2026
$500k
41 Moreton Terrace
Sold ~July 2026
$700k
15 Pickering Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$190k
20 Smith Street
Sold ~July 2026
$549k
28 North Shore Drive
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Dongara
Compare the area
Price map around Dongara
Every listing for sale near Dongara, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Common questions
Dongara suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Dongara?
The median house price in Dongara, WA is $800k for a 4-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 30.6%.
Is Dongara a good place to live?
Dongara is a town 351 kilometres (218 mi) north-northwest of Perth, Western Australia on the Brand Highway. Dongara is an established residential suburb in WA, with a population of around 1,393 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Dongara?
Dongara has a population of 1,393 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 51.
What schools are in Dongara?
There is 1 school in or near Dongara, including Dongara District High School.
How long do homes take to sell in Dongara?
Properties in Dongara take around 45 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Dongara?
Entry-level properties in Dongara start around $571k, while premium homes reach $1.22m.
What suburbs are near Dongara?
Suburbs near Dongara include Port Denison and Bonniefield.
Fresh to market
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