🔍

Mossman

QLD 4873 • Rest of QLD

1,935
Population (2021)
$32,500
Median Income
12.06 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
TropicalRegionalAffordableTourism GatewayIndigenous Heritage

About Mossman

Mossman is a small tropical town in Far North Queensland, located about 75 kilometres north of Cairns in the Douglas Shire. With a population of around 1,935, it sits at the foot of the Daintree Rainforest and serves as the gateway to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. The town has a significant Indigenous Australian community (20%) and a relaxed, tropical character with a median age of 43.

Mossman is centred around sugar cane farming and tourism, with the historic Mossman Sugar Mill a landmark feature. The town offers essential amenities including a Woolworths supermarket, schools, a hospital, and the stunning Mossman Gorge as a major attraction. Residents enjoy an affordable lifestyle with median rent of $250/week, and the community attracts retirees, families, and those seeking an alternative tropical lifestyle close to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage rainforest.

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

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4873
Urban Area
Mossman
LGA / Council
Douglas
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.46°, 145.37°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
12.06 km²
Elevation
12m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North Bus — Cairns via Port Douglas 1h 15min
  • Port Douglas shuttle — Port Douglas 15-20 min

Commute to Cairns

Distance
75 km
By Bus
1h 15min
By Car (Peak)
1h
By Car (Off-Peak)
55 min

🛣️ Regional town — most residents work locally in sugar, tourism, or services. Limited public transport; car recommended.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable but most amenities and employment require driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    63 Front Street Mossman 4873 QLD

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.2%

55 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,937
Census 2021
1,935
▼ 0.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$29,432
Income 2021
$32,500
▲ 10.4% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,479
Born Overseas 246

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 60
  • 2. New Zealand 50
  • 3. Philippines 17
  • 4. Papua New Guinea 12
  • 5. Italy 11
  • 6. Canada 9
  • 7. India 9
  • 8. Scotland 9
  • 9. Fiji 7
  • 10. Ireland 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 644
English 644
Australian Aboriginal 357
Irish 180
Scottish 156
Italian 134
German 76
New Zealander 32
Filipino 23
Chinese 22

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,198
Both parents born in Australia
306
Both parents born overseas
234
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
43.7%
Christianity
42.7%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
102 (5.3%)
5-14 years
306 (15.8%)
15-19 years
114 (5.9%)
20-24 years
95 (4.9%)
25-34 years
195 (10.1%)
35-44 years
203 (10.5%)
45-54 years
254 (13.1%)
55-64 years
253 (13.1%)
65-74 years
230 (11.9%)
75-84 years
124 (6.4%)
85+ years
54 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs