🔍

Bamaga

QLD 4876 • Rest of QLD

1,186
Population (2021)
$84,760
Median Household Income
66.23 km²
Area
$120/wk
Median Rent
RemoteRuralIndigenous CommunityOutback

About Bamaga

Bamaga is a remote Indigenous town at the tip of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, situated approximately 40 kilometres from the northernmost point of continental Australia, within the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council. Covering 66 square kilometres at an elevation of 71 metres, it is the administrative centre for the region and one of the most isolated settlements on the Australian mainland. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 1,186, with a strikingly young demographic — a median age of just 25 — and a large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community comprising around 78 per cent of residents.

Bamaga was established after World War II by people from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait, following devastating floods, and is named in honour of Saibai elder Bamaga Ginau. The town serves as the main service hub for surrounding communities including New Mapoon, Umagico, and Injinoo, with a hospital, schools, and basic retail facilities. Access to Bamaga is primarily via Bamaga Airport with regional flights from Cairns, or by four-wheel drive along the Cape York Development Road during the dry season — a significant undertaking that puts the town well and truly off the beaten track for most Australians.

Bamaga falls under postcode 4876 and is governed by Northern Peninsula Area Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4876
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Northern Peninsula Area
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-10.85°, 142.43°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
66.23 km²
Elevation
71m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$120
Avg Household Size
3.4 people
Median Age
25 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
77.8%

188 state housing + 36 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular bus service — N/A N/A

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
997 km
By Train
No train service to Bamaga
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 2-3 days by 4WD via Cape York Development Road (seasonal access only)
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 2-3 days by 4WD via Cape York Development Road

🛣️ Primary access is via Bamaga Airport with Cape York Air Services flights to Cairns; road access is 4WD only and not passable in wet season

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A vehicle is essential in Bamaga; the town is spread out with limited footpaths and no nearby urban infrastructure

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,831 / 100k
2yr Down 21.7% 10yr Up 58.6%
Motor vehicle theft
1,254.6 / 100k
2yr Up 45.9% 10yr Up 1131.6%
Non-FV assault
3,729.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 196.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
847.7 / 100k
2yr Down 23.0% 10yr Up 149.6%
View all offence categories for Northern Peninsula Area →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,164
Census 2021
1,186
▲ 1.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,536
Personal Income 2021
$38,948
▲ 31.9% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$38,948 / yr
$749/wk
Household
$84,760 / yr
$1630/wk
Family
$79,144 / yr
$1522/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,019
Born Overseas 38

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 9
  • 2. Papua New Guinea 8
  • 3. Fiji 7
  • 4. England 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian Aboriginal 388
English 82
Australian 65
Irish 30
Scottish 18
Maori 16
German 12
Filipino 8
Italian 6
Greek 3

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

975
Both parents born in Australia
46
Both parents born overseas
44
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
74.8%
No Religion
12.0%
Islam
0.3%
Buddhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
125 (10.5%)
5-14 years
269 (22.7%)
15-19 years
104 (8.8%)
20-24 years
96 (8.1%)
25-34 years
170 (14.3%)
35-44 years
149 (12.6%)
45-54 years
121 (10.2%)
55-64 years
101 (8.5%)
65-74 years
47 (4.0%)
75-84 years
8 (0.7%)
85+ years
0 (0.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bamaga known for? +

Bamaga is known as the main township and administrative centre at the tip of Cape York Peninsula — one of the most remote and northernmost communities in continental Australia. It has deep Torres Strait Islander heritage, having been founded by Saibai Island people after World War II, and named after Saibai elder Bamaga Ginau.

How far is Bamaga from Cairns? +

Bamaga is approximately 997 kilometres north-north-west of Cairns. The most practical way to travel between them is by regional flight via Bamaga Airport, which takes around 2 hours. Road access via the Cape York Development Road is a 2-3 day four-wheel drive journey, accessible only in the dry season.

Does Bamaga have public transport? +

There is no public transport or rail service in Bamaga. The primary link to the outside world is Bamaga Airport, with regional flights operated by Cape York Air Services connecting the town to Cairns. Within the community, a private vehicle is essential.

What is the population of Bamaga? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bamaga has a population of 1,186 people. The community is notably young, with a median age of just 25, and approximately 78 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Is Bamaga a good place to live? +

Bamaga offers a unique lifestyle for those connected to its Indigenous communities or drawn to the extraordinary natural environment of Cape York. However, its extreme remoteness, limited services, and seasonal access mean it is best suited to those with strong community ties or a specific purpose for being in the region.

What is the postcode for Bamaga? +

The postcode for Bamaga is 4876.

What is the average income in Bamaga? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bamaga is about $749 per week (around $38,900 per year). The median household income is $1,630 per week and the median family income is $1,522 per week.

What is the age profile of Bamaga? +

The median age in Bamaga is 25. The largest age group is 5–14 (269 residents, around 23%). Around 42% of residents are under 20 and about 5% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bamaga a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bamaga is part of the Northern Peninsula Area 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.

How much is rent in Bamaga? +

In Bamaga, the median weekly rent is $120 (2021 Census).