🔍

Clifton Beach

QLD 4879 • Rest of QLD

3,192
Population (2021)
$76,960
Median Household Income
5.73 km²
Area
$365/wk
Median Rent
CoastalTropicalRetirementBeachsideNature

About Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is a coastal suburb located approximately 25 kilometres north of Cairns in Far North Queensland, within the Cairns Regional Council area. With a population of around 3,200 and a median age of 48, it is a mature beachside community. The suburb covers about 5.7 square kilometres between the Coral Sea coastline and the lush tropical rainforest of the Macalister Range, offering a stunning natural setting.

Clifton Beach is prized for its relaxed tropical lifestyle, with a patrolled beach, local shops, restaurants, and a golf course. The suburb appeals to retirees, professionals, and families who want a quieter coastal lifestyle away from Cairns' urban centre while still being within commuting distance. Residents enjoy proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and the Northern Beaches dining and recreation precinct.

Clifton Beach falls under postcode 4879 and is governed by Cairns Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barron River electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4879
Urban Area
Cairns - North
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Barron River
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.77°, 145.67°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
5.73 km²
Elevation
130m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$365
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,820
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
48 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 110, 110X — Cairns CBD 35-45 min
  • 110 — Palm Cove 10 min

Commute to Cairns

Distance
25 km
By Train
N/A
By Bus
40-50 min
By Car (Peak)
30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25 min

🛣️ Captain Cook Highway is the main route south to Cairns. No rail service on Northern Beaches.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Beach and local shops walkable, but most services and employment require driving to Cairns.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Endeavour Street & Captain Cook Highway Clifton Beach 4879 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains Clifton Beach. 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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,146
Census 2021
3,192
▲ 1.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,920
Personal Income 2021
$42,016
▲ 13.8% 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
$42,016 / yr
$808/wk
Household
$76,960 / yr
$1480/wk
Family
$96,720 / yr
$1860/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,009
Born Overseas 964

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 264
  • 2. New Zealand 118
  • 3. Germany 62
  • 4. South Africa 37
  • 5. United States 36
  • 6. Scotland 33
  • 7. Papua New Guinea 30
  • 8. Canada 26
  • 9. Japan 23
  • 10. Ireland 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,322
Australian 893
Irish 373
Scottish 359
German 225
Italian 144
Dutch 83
Australian Aboriginal 63
Chinese 57
Polish 39

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,400
Both parents born in Australia
1,134
Both parents born overseas
430
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.4%
Christianity
40.5%
Buddhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.4%
Judaism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
111 (3.5%)
5-14 years
375 (11.7%)
15-19 years
184 (5.8%)
20-24 years
127 (4.0%)
25-34 years
274 (8.6%)
35-44 years
360 (11.3%)
45-54 years
516 (16.2%)
55-64 years
560 (17.5%)
65-74 years
447 (14.0%)
75-84 years
212 (6.6%)
85+ years
34 (1.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clifton Beach known for? +

Clifton Beach is a coastal suburb located approximately 25 kilometres north of Cairns in Far North Queensland, within the Cairns Regional Council area. With a population of around 3,200 and a median age of 48, it is a mature beachside community.

How far is Clifton Beach from Brisbane CBD? +

Clifton Beach is approximately 25 km from Cairns. By car, the journey takes around 25 min off-peak and 30 min during peak hours.

Does Clifton Beach have public transport? +

Clifton Beach is served by bus routes connecting to Cairns CBD, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Clifton Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Clifton Beach has a population of approximately 3,192 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Cairns (Regional Council).

Is Clifton Beach a good place to live? +

Clifton Beach is a popular choice for those seeking a coastal lifestyle, offering beachside living and a relaxed community atmosphere. It suits retirees, families, and sea-changers looking to escape city life.

What is the postcode for Clifton Beach? +

The postcode for Clifton Beach, QLD is 4879.

What is the average income in Clifton Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Clifton Beach is about $808 per week (around $42,000 per year). The median household income is $1,480 per week and the median family income is $1,860 per week.

What is the age profile of Clifton Beach? +

The median age in Clifton Beach is 48. The largest age group is 55–64 (560 residents, around 18%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Clifton Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Clifton Beach 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.

How much is rent in Clifton Beach? +

In Clifton Beach, the median weekly rent is $365, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,820 (2021 Census).