🔍

Chillagoe

QLD 4871 • Queensland

214
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
2206.14 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteHistoricTourismOutback
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About Chillagoe

Chillagoe is a remote rural town and locality in the Shire of Mareeba in Far North Queensland, situated approximately 205 kilometres west of Cairns on the Chillagoe-Mungana road. The 2021 census recorded a population of just 214 people, reflecting the town's remote character. Chillagoe was once a thriving copper and gold mining centre in the early 20th century, and remnants of the smelter and heritage buildings remain as testament to its industrial past. The locality covers a vast 2,217 square kilometres of tropical savanna landscape.

Today, Chillagoe is known for its spectacular limestone karst cave systems managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, attracting adventurous tourists and bushwalkers from around the country. A small range of local services including a pub, roadhouse, and community facilities cater to the tight-knit resident community. The surrounding Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park and cattle grazing properties define the local economy alongside limited mining operations. It suits those seeking a remote outback lifestyle or an authentic off-the-beaten-track travel experience.

Chillagoe falls under postcode 4871 and is governed by the Mareeba 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
Mareeba
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.93°, 145.99°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
2206.14 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 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

Bus Services

  • Trans North Bus & Coach (limited service) — Mareeba / Cairns Approx 2.5–3 hours to Cairns

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
205 km
By Bus
Limited coach service via Mareeba; approx 3 hours
By Car (Peak)
Approx 2.5 hours via Kennedy Hwy and Chillagoe Rd
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 2.5 hours

🛣️ Mareeba (approx 144 km east) is the nearest significant service hub. Cairns is the nearest city. Roads are sealed but remote. No rail services available.

Walkability Car Dependent

An extremely remote town where a vehicle is essential. The town centre is walkable in scale, but any travel beyond the immediate township requires a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
214
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,476.6 / 100k
2yr Up 71.6% 10yr Up 137.3%
Motor vehicle theft
514.2 / 100k
2yr Up 58.3% 10yr Up 223.8%
Non-FV assault
2,719.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 218.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
271.5 / 100k
2yr Down 18.5% 10yr Down 10.7%
View all offence categories for Mareeba →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chillagoe known for? +

Chillagoe is famous for its spectacular limestone karst cave systems managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, including Donna and Royal Arch Caves. The town also has a significant smelter heritage site, remnants of the early 20th century copper and mineral processing industry.

How far is Chillagoe from Cairns? +

Chillagoe is approximately 205 kilometres west of Cairns, a drive of about 2.5–3 hours via the Kennedy Highway through Mareeba.

Does Chillagoe have public transport? +

There is no regular public transport serving Chillagoe. A private vehicle is required, and the road from Mareeba passes through outback terrain. A 4WD is recommended in wet season.

What is the population of Chillagoe? +

The 2021 Census recorded 214 residents in Chillagoe, a remote outback township that relies heavily on tourism and pastoral activities in the Shire of Mareeba.

Is Chillagoe a good place to live? +

Chillagoe suits adventurous souls drawn to remote outback living and tourism work, with unique limestone cave attractions and rich history. Services are limited, and residents must be comfortable with long drives to Mareeba or Cairns for major needs.

What is the postcode for Chillagoe? +

The postcode for Chillagoe is 4871, shared with the broader Shire of Mareeba area in Far North Queensland.

Is Chillagoe a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Chillagoe is part of the Mareeba 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.