🔍

Mossman Gorge

QLD 4873 • Queensland

248
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
6.73 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
IndigenousTourist HubBushlandRemote

About Mossman Gorge

Mossman Gorge (Kuku-Yalanji: Jinkalmu) is a small rural locality in the Shire of Douglas, Far North Queensland, situated approximately 4.7 kilometres south-west of Mossman and 79 kilometres north-west of Cairns. Covering around 6.7 square kilometres, the locality is home to a predominantly Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal community situated on a 27-hectare Aboriginal reserve at the edge of the Daintree Rainforest. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 248 residents, with the community representing one of the oldest living cultures on Earth in one of the world's oldest rainforests.

Mossman Gorge is one of Far North Queensland's most significant cultural and natural destinations, anchored by the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre — an acclaimed ecotourism experience sharing the Kuku Yalanji people's deep connection to the rainforest. Visitors come for guided Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks, swimming in the crystal-clear Mossman River, and scenic gorge walking tracks. The locality is approximately 20 minutes from Port Douglas and 75 minutes from Cairns, making it accessible for day trips. For community residents, the town of Mossman provides schools, medical services, and shops.

Mossman Gorge falls under postcode 4873 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4873
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.23°, 145.30°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
6.73 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North Bus & Coach — Mossman / Port Douglas / Cairns Mossman ~10 min; Cairns ~1.5 hrs

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
79 km
By Train
No direct rail; bus or drive to Cairns (~79 km, ~1.5 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
1.5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
1–1.5 hrs

🛣️ Via Captain Cook Highway south to Cairns; Port Douglas is ~20 min north

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Mossman Gorge is a small community with a cultural centre; day-to-day services require a drive to Mossman township, and a car is needed for most errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
248
▲ 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 Mossman Gorge known for? +

Mossman Gorge is renowned for the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, where the Kuku Yalanji people share their ancient rainforest culture through guided Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks. The gorge itself — with its boulder-strewn Mossman River and World Heritage Daintree Rainforest — is one of Far North Queensland's most spectacular natural attractions.

How far is Mossman Gorge from Cairns? +

Mossman Gorge is approximately 79 kilometres north-west of Cairns, about a 1 to 1.5 hour drive via the Captain Cook Highway. It is around 20 minutes south of Port Douglas and 15 minutes from the township of Mossman.

Does Mossman Gorge have public transport? +

Trans North Bus & Coach services connect Mossman Gorge to Mossman township, Port Douglas, and Cairns, with Cairns serving as the main regional transport hub. There is no rail service; a car or bus is required to access the area.

What is the population of Mossman Gorge? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mossman Gorge has a population of 248 residents, predominantly members of the Kuku Yalanji community on a 27-hectare Aboriginal reserve at the rainforest edge. The community are custodians of the Daintree Rainforest's traditional culture.

Is Mossman Gorge a good place to live? +

Mossman Gorge is a deeply significant place for the Kuku Yalanji community and offers an extraordinary natural setting at the edge of the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest. The township of Mossman nearby provides day-to-day services, while the gorge itself attracts visitors for its unmatched natural beauty and cultural richness.

What is the postcode for Mossman Gorge? +

The postcode for Mossman Gorge is 4873, shared with Mossman township and surrounding localities in the Douglas Shire of Far North Queensland.