Erub Island
QLD 4875 • Queensland
About Erub Island
Erub Island, also known as Darnley Island, is a small volcanic island in the eastern Torres Strait, located approximately 200 kilometres north of the tip of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. The island covers about 5.6 square kilometres and is home to the Erub (Darnley Island) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, with a 2021 census population of 326 people. Erub is administered as part of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and retains strong connections to Meriam Mir language and traditional culture.
Life on Erub Island centres on the tight-knit Indigenous community, which maintains rich traditions in fishing, dance, weaving, and seamanship. The island has a primary school, community health clinic, and basic retail store, with more comprehensive services accessed via Thursday Island or Cairns by light aircraft. Erub is also notable as the site where the London Missionary Society first brought Christianity to the Torres Strait in 1871, and the historic church and cemetery are significant cultural landmarks. The surrounding coral reefs offer exceptional fishing and diving opportunities.
Erub Island falls under postcode 4875 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Commute to Cairns CBD
🛣️ Access by light aircraft to Erub Island Airport (connections to Cairns ~2 h, or Thursday Island ~45 min) or by ferry/barge from Thursday Island (~3–4 h).
The island community is small enough to navigate on foot, though the island has limited paved paths; most residents walk between community facilities.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Nawie Street
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Kubin Village
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Normandy Street
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Badu Island
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Darnley Island
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Dauan Island
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Mabuiag Island
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School Road
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Murray Island Community
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Saibai Island
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Moa Island
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Stephen Island
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Summers Street
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21 Aplin Road
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Warraber Island
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Yam Island
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Yorke Island