🔍

Abingdon Downs

QLD 4871 • Queensland

17
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
5052.03 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteRuralOutbackCattle CountryGulf Country
Advertisement

About Abingdon Downs

Abingdon Downs is a vast and extremely remote locality in the Shire of Etheridge in far north Queensland, covering an extraordinary 5,052 square kilometres of Gulf Country savanna. With just 17 residents recorded in the 2021 census — a density of roughly 0.003 persons per square kilometre — it is one of the most sparsely populated localities in Australia. The locality sits approximately 479 kilometres west-south-west of Cairns, 645 kilometres north-west of Townsville, and 1,910 kilometres north-north-west of Brisbane. The terrain consists of tropical grasslands and Mitchell grass downs intersected by seasonal watercourses draining toward the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Abingdon Downs is cattle station country in the truest sense — vast pastoral leases where beef production has been the economic lifeblood for well over a century. Life here is defined by extreme isolation, self-reliance and the rhythms of the wet and dry seasons. Georgetown, approximately 104 kilometres to the south, serves as the nearest service centre with a hospital, school, supermarket and airstrip. Access is via unsealed station roads that may become impassable during the wet season (November–April). The landscape is rich in wildlife, including birds of prey, wallabies and the seasonally spectacular wildflower displays of the Gulf grasslands.

Abingdon Downs falls under postcode 4871 and is governed by the Cairns Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Leichhardt, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4871
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.93°, 145.99°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
5052.03 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4871

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4871, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,070
Median 2023–24
$46,529
▲ 22.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$57,771

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4871; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
479 km
By Car (Peak)
Approx 5–6 hr via Georgetown and the Gulf Developmental Road (partly unsealed)
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 5 hr

🛣️ One of Australia's most remote localities. Georgetown (~104 km south) is the nearest town with services. Access may be cut off during wet season flooding. Light aircraft is the primary transport option for emergencies and freight. No public transport exists.

Walkability Car Dependent

Abingdon Downs is one of Australia's most remote localities. There is no public transport, no pedestrian infrastructure, and all travel requires a 4WD vehicle. Helicopter and light aircraft access are common for the pastoral stations.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
17
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains Abingdon Downs. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,489.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.8% 10yr Up 19.6%
Motor vehicle theft
602.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.9%
Non-FV assault
2,214 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 207.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
53.6 / 100k
2yr Down 36.0% 10yr Up 49.4%
Steal from vehicle
529.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.5%
View all offence categories for Cairns →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Abingdon Downs known for? +

Abingdon Downs is known as vast Gulf Country cattle station territory, spanning over 5,052 square kilometres of Far North Queensland savanna. It is one of Queensland's most remote localities, with life revolving entirely around large-scale beef cattle production.

How far is Abingdon Downs from Cairns? +

Abingdon Downs is located in the Shire of Etheridge in Far North Queensland, approximately 350–400 kilometres south-west of Cairns by road, requiring travel through Georgetown or Forsayth. The drive can take 5 or more hours depending on road conditions.

Does Abingdon Downs have public transport? +

There is no public transport serving Abingdon Downs. The locality is accessible only via unsealed outback roads, and a four-wheel drive vehicle is essential. Air access to nearby properties may be available via private airstrips.

What is the population of Abingdon Downs? +

The 2021 Census recorded just 17 residents in Abingdon Downs, making it one of the most sparsely populated localities in Queensland. The population consists almost entirely of station workers and their families.

Is Abingdon Downs a good place to live? +

Abingdon Downs suits those with a genuine passion for remote outback living and cattle station work. The lifestyle is extremely isolated, with no services, shops, or schools locally — but offers unmatched wide-open country and Gulf Country landscapes.

What is the postcode for Abingdon Downs? +

The postcode for Abingdon Downs is 4871, which it shares with a large area of Far North Queensland.

Is Abingdon Downs a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Abingdon Downs is part of the Cairns LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.