🔍

Iama Island

QLD 4875 • Queensland

275
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
1.86 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteCoastalMulticulturalRural

About Iama Island

Iama Island — also known as Yam Island — is a remote Torres Strait Island community located approximately 100 kilometres north-east of Thursday Island in Far North Queensland, within the Torres Strait Island Regional Council local government area. The island covers about 1.86 square kilometres and is home to around 275 predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. The community has deep cultural roots, and the island's traditional language is Kulkalgau Ya, a dialect of the Western-Central Torres Strait language Kalaw Lagaw Ya.

Life on Iama Island is shaped by the rhythms of the Torres Strait — traditional fishing, community events, and a close-knit Islander culture define daily existence here. The island is accessible by light aircraft and boat from Thursday Island, and the Iama Primary Health Care Centre provides essential medical services to the community. As with other outer Torres Strait islands, residents have limited access to commercial services and rely heavily on supply boats and government services for groceries, fuel, and infrastructure support, making Iama a community where self-sufficiency and strong social bonds are central to life.

Iama Island falls under postcode 4875 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4875
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-9.58°, 143.77°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
1.86 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular bus services — N/A Island is accessible by light aircraft or boat only

Commute to Thursday Island

Distance
100 km
By Train
No rail service — access is by light aircraft or boat to Thursday Island
By Car (Peak)
N/A — no road connection
By Car (Off-Peak)
N/A — no road connection

🛣️ Regular light aircraft services connect Iama to Thursday Island; Cairns is the nearest major city (~850 km by air)

Walkability Car-Dependent

A small island community where most daily needs are met within a compact area, but limited local services mean supply boats and aircraft are critical to daily life

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
275
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Income Comparison

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

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Iama Island known for? +

Iama Island, also known as Yam Island, is known as a traditional Torres Strait Islander community with a strong cultural identity centred on the Kulkalgau Ya language and traditional fishing practices. The island is part of the Bourke Isles group in the Torres Strait and holds deep significance for the Kaurareg and surrounding Islander peoples.

How far is Iama Island from Thursday Island? +

Iama Island is approximately 100 kilometres north-east of Thursday Island, accessible by regular light aircraft services or by boat. Thursday Island is the administrative and commercial hub of the Torres Strait.

Does Iama Island have public transport? +

Iama Island has no road network or public transport system. The island is accessible only by light aircraft or boat, with regular scheduled flights connecting it to Thursday Island. There is no rail service in the Torres Strait region.

What is the population of Iama Island? +

Iama Island had a population of approximately 275 residents at the 2021 Census, all living on an island of about 1.86 square kilometres. The community is predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Is Iama Island a good place to live? +

Iama Island offers a unique and culturally rich remote lifestyle for those connected to Torres Strait Islander heritage and community. Living on the island requires self-sufficiency and adaptation to limited services, but the strong community bonds, traditional culture, and spectacular Torres Strait environment make it a deeply meaningful place for its residents.

What is the postcode for Iama Island? +

The postcode for Iama Island, Queensland, is 4875, which covers several outer Torres Strait island communities.