Dundowran, a locality in the Hervey Bay hinterland, has had its name given to a coastal area, Dundowran Beach, 27 km north of Maryborough and 12 km south-east of Burrum Heads. The name was possibly derived from an Aboriginal word describing a native 'plum tree' or other tree.
Dundowran's primary school was opened in 1891 and after its closure it was moved, along with Dundowran Hall to the Hervey Bay historical village in Scarness.
Dundowran Beach and its western neighbour, Craignish, are coastal residential development in the Hervey Bay area. Their house prices are generally higher than elsewhere in the Hervey Bay coastal communities. Some homes sites are 2000 sq metres in area. There are the Fraser Lakes Golf Club, the Craignish Country Club, the Craignish Hotel and a neighbourhood store.
In 2006 Hervey Bay City Council adopted a plan for the Dundowran growth corridor. The completed plan anticipated a population of 7000 people.
Dundowran, Dundowran Beach and Craignish's census populations have been:
| Census Date | Population | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundowran | Dundowran Beach | Craignish | |
| 1911 | 112 | ||
| 1961 | 167 | ||
| 1996 | 1111 | ||
| 2006 | 695 | 1562 | 1440 |
| 2011 | 970 | 1769 | 1752 |
