🔍

Innisfail

QLD 4860 • Rest of QLD

1,091
Population (2021)
$29,744
Median Income
1.64 km²
Area
$230/wk
Median Rent
HistoricMulticulturalTropicalRuralHeritage

About Innisfail

Innisfail is a compact urban centre on the Far North Queensland coast, located at the confluence of the North and South Johnstone Rivers, approximately 90 kilometres south of Cairns and 1,500 kilometres north of Brisbane, within the Cassowary Coast Regional Council area. With a population of 1,091, the suburb proper is the commercial heart of a broader regional area that services surrounding sugarcane farming communities and is known for one of Australia's most intact collections of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne buildings, constructed following the devastating 1918 cyclone. The population is genuinely multicultural, with significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Italian, Indian, and Filipino communities reflecting a century of agricultural immigration and settlement.

Innisfail's tree-lined streets, ornate civic buildings, and the historic Johnstone River precinct give the town a distinctive tropical character that sets it apart from other regional Queensland centres. Residents have access to major supermarkets including Coles and Woolworths, local schools, the Innisfail Hospital, and a range of cafes and small businesses centred around the main shopping strip. The surrounding Cassowary Coast region offers outstanding natural attractions — nearby Paronella Park, the Atherton Tablelands, Mission Beach, and the Wet Tropics rainforest are all within easy reach. Sugarcane farming remains the economic backbone of the wider region, and the Mulgrave Central Mill is a local landmark of the industry.

Innisfail falls under postcode 4860 and is governed by Cassowary Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4860
Urban Area
Innisfail
LGA / Council
Cassowary Coast
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.52°, 146.03°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1.64 km²
Elevation
7m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • TransNorth Bus & Coach — Cairns CBD ~90-120 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
90 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest passenger station is Cairns
By Car (Peak)
75-100 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ Accessible via the Bruce Highway (A1); coach services operate to Cairns; Innisfail Airport serves charter flights

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The compact town centre allows residents to walk to supermarkets, shops, and services, though a car is needed for broader errands and travel

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Edith Street & Ernest Street Innisfail 4860 QLD
  • Woolworths
    Cnr Mcgowan Drive And Rankin Street Innisfail 4860 QLD

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$230
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7%

21 state housing + 8 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,145
Census 2021
1,091
▼ 4.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$25,324
Income 2021
$29,744
▲ 17.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 681
Born Overseas 292

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 91
  • 2. Philippines 29
  • 3. New Zealand 21
  • 4. England 16
  • 5. Thailand 12
  • 6. China 11
  • 7. Italy 11
  • 8. South Africa 7
  • 9. Taiwan 7
  • 10. France 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 253
Australian 213
Australian Aboriginal 207
Irish 73
Scottish 68
Italian 65
Indian 52
German 43
Chinese 39
Filipino 37

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

541
Both parents born in Australia
382
Both parents born overseas
67
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
45.6%
No Religion
32.3%
Sikhism
7.8%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.8%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
71 (6.5%)
5-14 years
100 (9.2%)
15-19 years
50 (4.6%)
20-24 years
82 (7.5%)
25-34 years
172 (15.8%)
35-44 years
108 (9.9%)
45-54 years
130 (11.9%)
55-64 years
129 (11.8%)
65-74 years
85 (7.8%)
75-84 years
108 (9.9%)
85+ years
64 (5.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Innisfail known for? +

Innisfail is celebrated for its remarkable collection of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architecture, built after a destructive 1918 cyclone. The town is also known for its multicultural heritage — particularly Italian and Asian communities — its location amid the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest, and the nearby attraction Paronella Park.

How far is Innisfail from Cairns? +

Innisfail is approximately 90 kilometres south of Cairns via the Bruce Highway, a drive of around 60–100 minutes depending on traffic.

Does Innisfail have public transport? +

Innisfail is served by TransNorth coach services connecting to Cairns, with no passenger rail service. A car is the primary mode of transport for local errands and regional travel. Innisfail Airport can accommodate charter flights.

What is the population of Innisfail? +

According to the 2021 Census, Innisfail's suburb has a population of 1,091 residents. The wider Innisfail urban area is significantly larger, serving as the regional centre for the Cassowary Coast.

Is Innisfail a good place to live? +

Innisfail suits those who enjoy a relaxed tropical lifestyle, natural surroundings, and a tight-knit multicultural community. It offers essential services and a distinctive historic character, while the Wet Tropics rainforest, beaches, and tablelands provide outstanding outdoor recreation nearby.

What is the postcode for Innisfail? +

The postcode for Innisfail is 4860, Queensland.

What outdoor activities are near Innisfail? +

The Innisfail area offers excellent access to Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest walks, the historic Paronella Park (a Spanish castle ruin in the jungle), white-water rafting on the Tully River, Mission Beach and the Coral Sea coast, and day trips to the Atherton Tablelands.