Carpentaria
QLD 4823 • Queensland
About Carpentaria
Carpentaria is a vast and extremely remote locality in Queensland's Gulf Country, located within the Shire of Carpentaria, approximately 97 kilometres west-southwest of Normanton and 128 kilometres southeast of Burketown. Covering an enormous 4,731 square kilometres of tropical savanna, it had a population of just 25 residents at the 2021 census, making it one of Australia's most sparsely inhabited localities. The landscape is dominated by flat, seasonally flooded plains, savanna grassland, and dry eucalypt woodland, with the Savannah Way — the iconic outback touring route from Cairns to Broome — passing through the region.
Life in Carpentaria revolves around the cattle industry, with vast beef stations occupying much of the land. The locality is subject to dramatic seasonal contrasts: a wet season (November–April) that can render roads impassable and a dry season that brings clear skies and cooler temperatures. The Gulf of Carpentaria is renowned for its barramundi fishing, bird watching, and outback tourism, with properties on the Savannah Way occasionally offering station stays. Normanton provides the nearest services, including fuel, a hospital, and basic retail, while Mount Isa — some 474 kilometres to the south — is the nearest significant regional centre.
Carpentaria falls under postcode 4823 and is governed by the Carpentaria Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 4823
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4823 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4823; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Commute to Mount Isa
🛣️ Normanton is the nearest service town (97 km, ~1 hr drive). Roads may be impassable during the wet season (Nov–Apr). Cairns is 766 km east.
One of Australia's most remote localities. No local services, footpaths, or public transport. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended, particularly during wet season.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Burke Street
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest rates for the Carpentaria Local Government Area, which contains Carpentaria. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.