🔍

Doomadgee

QLD 4830 • Rest of QLD

1,387
Population (2021)
$18,408
Median Income
1547.95 km²
Area
$120/wk
Median Rent
RemoteRuralIndigenous CommunityOutback

About Doomadgee

Doomadgee is a remote Aboriginal community located in the Gulf Country of far north-west Queensland, approximately 1,200 kilometres north-west of Brisbane within the Doomadgee Shire. The community covers a vast area of 1,548 square kilometres at a low elevation of 57 metres above sea level, reflecting the flat savannah landscape of the Gulf Plains region. With a population of 1,387 recorded in the 2021 Census, Doomadgee has one of the highest proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of any locality in Queensland, with Indigenous residents making up approximately 89 per cent of the population.

The community is primarily supported by essential government services including a school, health clinic, community store, and council facilities that serve the local population. The median age of 25 and average household size of 4.2 reflect the community's young and family-oriented population. Access to Doomadgee is by unsealed road from Burketown or by light aircraft — the community has its own airstrip — making air travel the most reliable means of reaching the town year-round, particularly during the wet season when road access can be cut off by floodwaters.

Doomadgee falls under postcode 4830 and is governed by Doomadgee Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4830
Urban Area
Doomadgee
LGA / Council
Doomadgee
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.74°, 138.74°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1547.95 km²
Elevation
57m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No scheduled bus services — N/A N/A

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
1200 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
12-14 hours (subject to road conditions and wet season closures)
By Car (Off-Peak)
12-14 hours

🛣️ Primary access is by light aircraft via Doomadgee Airport. Road access via Burketown (unsealed) can be cut off during wet season flooding.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Essential community services are co-located within the town centre, but a vehicle or community transport is needed for most needs beyond local facilities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$120
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$737
Avg Household Size
4.2 people
Median Age
25 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
82.1%

155 state housing + 79 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,405
Census 2021
1,387
▼ 1.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$15,496
Income 2021
$18,408
▲ 18.8% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,301
Born Overseas 37

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 8
  • 2. South Africa 4
  • 3. Zimbabwe 4
  • 4. China 3
  • 5. Fiji 3
  • 6. Philippines 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian Aboriginal 1,233
English 37
Australian 32
Irish 17
German 13
Italian 10
Indian 5
Chinese 4
Filipino 4
Scottish 4

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,287
Both parents born in Australia
34
Both parents born overseas
12
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.1%
Christianity
41.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
150 (10.8%)
5-14 years
283 (20.4%)
15-19 years
132 (9.5%)
20-24 years
129 (9.3%)
25-34 years
244 (17.6%)
35-44 years
159 (11.5%)
45-54 years
137 (9.9%)
55-64 years
109 (7.9%)
65-74 years
34 (2.5%)
75-84 years
6 (0.4%)
85+ years
4 (0.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Doomadgee known for? +

Doomadgee is known as one of Queensland's largest remote Aboriginal communities, situated in the Gulf Country near the Northern Territory border. It is home to a predominantly Gangalidda and Garawa peoples community, with strong cultural traditions and language connections to the Gulf Plains region.

How far is Doomadgee from Brisbane? +

Doomadgee is approximately 1,200 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. By road, the journey takes around 12–14 hours via Mount Isa, with the final stretch on unsealed roads. Light aircraft is the most practical way to travel to the community, particularly during the wet season.

Does Doomadgee have public transport? +

Doomadgee has no public rail or scheduled bus services. The community has its own airstrip served by light aircraft charter flights. Road access is via the Wills Developmental Road from Burketown, which can be impassable during the wet season due to flooding.

What is the population of Doomadgee? +

According to the 2021 Census, Doomadgee has a population of 1,387 residents. Approximately 89 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, making Doomadgee one of the most significant Indigenous communities in Queensland.

Is Doomadgee a good place to live? +

Doomadgee offers a deeply connected community life rooted in Aboriginal culture and Country, set against the dramatic Gulf Plains landscape. It is a community built around strong cultural identity and family ties, though residents face the practical challenges of extreme remoteness, limited services, and infrastructure typical of remote Queensland communities.

What is the postcode for Doomadgee? +

The postcode for Doomadgee is 4830.