🔍

Poruma Island

QLD 4875 • Queensland

164
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
0.43 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteIslandCoastalAboriginal CommunityMulticultural

About Poruma Island

Poruma Island, also known as Coconut Island, is a small coral cay in the Torres Strait, located approximately 130 kilometres north-east of Thursday Island in Far North Queensland. Covering just 0.43 square kilometres, it is one of the smallest inhabited localities in Australia, with a 2021 Census population of 164 people. The island falls within Division 11 of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and is home to a close-knit traditional Torres Strait Islander community of Melanesian heritage.

The Poruma community has lived on the island for thousands of years, maintaining rich cultural traditions centred on fishing, marine hunting, and communal life. Essential services including a Primary Health Care Centre are available on the island, with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council providing broader community infrastructure. Access is by light aircraft or boat; all major services, shopping, and the nearest hospital are located on Thursday Island, approximately 130 kilometres to the south-west.

Poruma 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
0.43 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No road or bus access — Thursday Island Approx. 1 hour by boat or 30–40 min by light aircraft

Commute to Thursday Island

Distance
130 km
By Train
No rail service
By Car (Peak)
N/A — no road connection to the mainland
By Car (Off-Peak)
N/A — no road connection to the mainland

🛣️ Access is by light aircraft to the island airstrip or by boat. Thursday Island is the main regional hub for services, medical care, and shopping.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The small island community is easily navigated on foot, but all off-island needs require air or sea transport

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
164
▲ 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 Poruma Island known for? +

Poruma Island, also called Coconut Island, is known as a traditional Torres Strait Islander community with deep Melanesian cultural roots, a close-knit population with strong connections to fishing and the sea, and its remote location in the central Torres Strait.

How far is Poruma Island from Thursday Island? +

Poruma Island is approximately 130 kilometres north-east of Thursday Island, the main administrative hub of the Torres Strait, accessible by light aircraft in about 30–40 minutes or by boat in approximately one hour.

Does Poruma Island have public transport? +

There is no road connection to Poruma Island. Access is by light aircraft to the island airstrip or by boat from Thursday Island. The Torres Strait Island Regional Council coordinates community transport services.

What is the population of Poruma Island? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 164 people on Poruma Island, making it one of the more populated smaller Torres Strait Islands. The vast majority of residents identify as Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Is Poruma Island a good place to live? +

Poruma Island suits those deeply connected to Torres Strait Islander culture and community life. It offers a unique, close-knit island existence with rich cultural traditions, though daily life requires self-sufficiency and off-island travel for most major services.

What is the postcode for Poruma Island? +

Poruma Island's postcode is 4875, which covers remote Torres Strait Island localities in Far North Queensland.