🔍

Wongaling Beach

QLD 4852 • Rest of QLD

1,323
Population (2021)
$36,348
Median Income
8.78 km²
Area
$273/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideCoastalRetiree-HavenQuietTourist Hub

About Wongaling Beach

Wongaling Beach is a tropical coastal town and part of the Mission Beach community, located along the Cassowary Coast in Far North Queensland, approximately 140 kilometres south of Cairns within the Cassowary Coast Regional Council area. With a population of 1,323 across 14.6 square kilometres, the locality sits directly on the Coral Sea and is one of Australia's wettest inhabited areas, receiving over 3,280 millimetres of rainfall annually. The median age of 48 reflects the town's strong appeal to sea changers and retirees, while the median household income of $1,256 per week is modest, consistent with a community less oriented around high-income employment.

Wongaling Beach is part of the broader Mission Beach area, celebrated for its pristine beaches, world-heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest, and the chance to encounter wild cassowaries — Australia's large, endangered rainforest bird — in their natural habitat. Dunk Island sits just four kilometres offshore and is accessible by water taxi, offering snorkelling, bushwalking, and island escapes. A Woolworths supermarket on Dickinson Street provides local grocery shopping, and the iconic Big Cassowary statue is a beloved local landmark. The area is well suited to nature lovers, retirees, and those seeking a relaxed Far North Queensland coastal lifestyle, though residents should plan for the region's intense wet season and tropical cyclone risk.

Wongaling Beach falls under postcode 4852 and is governed by Cassowary Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4852
Urban Area
Cardwell
LGA / Council
Cassowary Coast
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.90°, 146.09°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
8.78 km²
Elevation
29m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North Bus & Coach — Cairns CBD and Tully Cairns approx. 2.5 hours; Tully approx. 30 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
140 km
By Train
No direct train service from Mission Beach area
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 1.5–2 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 1.5 hours

🛣️ Bruce Highway (A1) provides the main road link; Cairns Airport is the nearest domestic/international hub at approx. 140 km

Walkability Car-Dependent

The local Woolworths and some small businesses are accessible on foot for nearby residents, but a car is needed for most services and all regional travel

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    38-40 Dickinson Street Wongaling Beach 4852 QLD

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$273
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
48 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,245
Census 2021
1,323
▲ 6.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$32,916
Income 2021
$36,348
▲ 10.4% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 881
Born Overseas 275

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 81
  • 2. New Zealand 44
  • 3. Samoa 14
  • 4. Germany 11
  • 5. India 8
  • 6. Canada 7
  • 7. South Africa 7
  • 8. Ireland 6
  • 9. Papua New Guinea 6
  • 10. Italy 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 517
Australian 419
Irish 146
Scottish 120
German 62
Italian 59
Australian Aboriginal 32
Maori 18
Greek 16
Dutch 15

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

699
Both parents born in Australia
310
Both parents born overseas
135
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
44.7%
No Religion
39.7%
Buddhism
1.1%
Sikhism
0.9%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
57 (4.3%)
5-14 years
159 (12.0%)
15-19 years
53 (4.0%)
20-24 years
37 (2.8%)
25-34 years
137 (10.4%)
35-44 years
151 (11.4%)
45-54 years
180 (13.6%)
55-64 years
232 (17.5%)
65-74 years
220 (16.6%)
75-84 years
84 (6.3%)
85+ years
13 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wongaling Beach known for? +

Wongaling Beach is known as part of the Mission Beach community, famous for its pristine tropical beaches, world-heritage Wet Tropics rainforest, wild cassowary sightings, and proximity to Dunk Island — making it one of Far North Queensland's most scenic coastal destinations.

How far is Wongaling Beach from Cairns? +

Wongaling Beach is approximately 140 kilometres south of Cairns CBD, a drive of around 1.5 to 2 hours via the Bruce Highway.

Does Wongaling Beach have public transport? +

Wongaling Beach is served by Trans North Bus & Coach services connecting the Mission Beach area to Tully and Cairns, though services are limited in frequency. There is no rail service; a car is the most practical way to get around and travel to Cairns.

What is the population of Wongaling Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Wongaling Beach has a population of 1,323 people, with a median age of 48, reflecting the locality's popularity with retirees and sea changers seeking a quiet tropical lifestyle.

Is Wongaling Beach a good place to live? +

Wongaling Beach is ideal for those who love tropical nature, beaches, and a relaxed pace of life away from major cities. Essential services are available locally and in the Mission Beach area, but residents should be prepared for the region's intense wet season, high annual rainfall of over 3,280 mm, and tropical cyclone risk.

What is the postcode for Wongaling Beach? +

The postcode for Wongaling Beach is 4852, shared with Mission Beach and surrounding Cassowary Coast localities.