🔍

Dauan Island

QLD 4875 • Queensland

131
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
3.62 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteIslandTorres StraitCoastalIndigenous
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About Dauan Island

Dauan Island is a remote island locality in the Torres Strait, Queensland, situated approximately 11 kilometres south of Papua New Guinea and forming one of Australia's most northerly inhabited points. Covering 3.6 square kilometres within the Torres Strait Island Region local government area, the island is home to approximately 131 people — predominantly the traditional Dauanalgal people, who have inhabited the island for generations. Also known historically as Cornwallis Island, Dauan forms part of the North Western Islands group of the Torres Strait alongside Boigu and Saibai Islands.

The island is renowned throughout the Torres Strait for its freshwater permanent springs, fertile soil, and steep hills — the granite peak of Mount Cornwallis marks Queensland's most northerly summit. Dauan's community maintains strong cultural traditions and kinship ties with neighbouring islands and Papua New Guinea, with social housing comprising the vast majority of dwellings. Access to the island is by air or sea, with Horn Island and Thursday Island serving as the regional hub for healthcare, education, and connections to the Queensland mainland.

Dauan Island falls under postcode 4875 and is governed by the Torres Strait Island Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Leichhardt, while state elections fall under the Cook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4875
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Torres Strait Island
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-9.58°, 143.77°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
3.62 km²
Population Density
36 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4875

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4875, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$47,835
Median 2023–24
$54,895
▲ 14.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$66,357

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4875; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No bus service — N/A N/A

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
1600 km
By Train
No rail service; fly via Horn Island/Cairns to Brisbane (~4–5 hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
N/A — no road access
By Car (Off-Peak)
N/A — no road access

🛣️ Accessible by light aircraft to/from Horn Island; water taxi or boat services to Saibai and Thursday Islands

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Small island community where daily movement is on foot within the settlement, but all significant services require boat or air travel to Horn Island or Thursday Island

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
131
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
139.8 / 100k
2yr Down 66.7% 10yr Down 81.5%
Motor vehicle theft
23.3 / 100k
2yr Down 66.7% 10yr Down 44.4%
Non-FV assault
2,632.2 / 100k
2yr Up 12.8% 10yr Up 42.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
46.6 / 100k
2yr Up 99.6% 10yr Down 25.8%
View all offence categories for Torres Strait Island →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dauan Island known for? +

Dauan Island is known for its unique position as one of Australia's most northerly inhabited points in the Torres Strait, just 11 kilometres from Papua New Guinea. The island is renowned for its freshwater permanent springs, fertile soil, steep hills, and Queensland's northernmost granite peak, Mount Cornwallis.

How far is Dauan Island from Brisbane? +

Dauan Island is approximately 1,600 kilometres north of Brisbane. The journey typically requires a flight to Cairns and then a connecting flight to Horn Island or Thursday Island, with the total travel time around 4–5 hours.

Does Dauan Island have public transport? +

Dauan Island has no road connections, railways, or bus services. Access is exclusively by light aircraft or boat. The regional hub of Horn Island and Thursday Island provides connections to Cairns and the Queensland mainland.

What is the population of Dauan Island? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dauan Island has a population of 131 people. The community is predominantly the traditional Dauanalgal people, with social housing comprising around 87% of all dwellings on the island.

Is Dauan Island a good place to live? +

Dauan Island offers a unique, close-knit Indigenous community lifestyle with strong cultural traditions and stunning Torres Strait scenery. It suits those connected to the traditional Dauanalgal community, though the extreme remoteness means limited access to services, healthcare, and education without travel to Thursday Island.

What is the postcode for Dauan Island? +

Dauan Island uses postcode 4875, shared with other Torres Strait island localities including Saibai Island and Boigu Island.

Is Dauan Island a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dauan Island is part of the Torres Strait Island 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.