Irvinebank
QLD 4887 • Queensland
About Irvinebank
Irvinebank is a historic rural town and locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Far North Queensland, situated in the mountainous western foothills of the Atherton Tablelands approximately 122 kilometres south-west of Cairns. Perched at an elevation of around 750 metres, the locality covers 740 square kilometres of rugged highland terrain and recorded a population of 113 at the 2021 Census. The town was founded in 1884 by Scottish mining pioneer John Moffat, who established a thriving tin mining, milling, and smelting enterprise that transformed this remote highland into a bustling settlement.
Irvinebank's rich heritage remains central to its identity, with remnants of 19th-century mining infrastructure still visible and the Irvinebank Museum preserving the town's colourful past. The surrounding landscape is dominated by dramatic mountain peaks — including Mount Misery at 1,070 metres and Giblets Peak at 912 metres — offering superb bush walking and wildlife spotting opportunities amid tropical highland rainforest. With no public transport services and winding mountain roads, Irvinebank today appeals to history enthusiasts, bush walkers, and those drawn to the solitude of an authentic piece of Queensland's colonial mining heritage.
Irvinebank falls under postcode 4887 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- No scheduled bus services — N/A N/A
Commute to Cairns CBD
🛣️ Access via Atherton and the Gillies Range Road or via Petford and the Burke Developmental Road; roads are winding through mountainous terrain
A very small, isolated township with minimal local services; a car is required for virtually all errands
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Elwyn Phillips Memorial Drive
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15 Broadway
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High Street