🔍

Degarra

QLD 4895 • Queensland

80
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
6.77 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteCoastalRuralQuietHinterland
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About Degarra

Degarra is a small remote coastal locality in the Douglas Shire of Far North Queensland, situated along the southern bank of the Bloomfield River where it meets the Coral Sea, approximately 80 kilometres north of Mossman and around 130 kilometres north of Cairns. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 80 residents, making it one of the more isolated and sparsely settled communities in tropical Queensland. The locality is bounded to the north by the Bloomfield River, with the eastern tip providing a short stretch of Coral Sea coastline.

Land use in Degarra is primarily grazing on native vegetation in the western portions, with residential dwellings concentrated near the river in the east, set amid lush tropical rainforest typical of the Wet Tropics. Access to the community is via the Cape Tribulation–Bloomfield Road (the Bloomfield Track), a partly unsealed route that can become impassable after heavy wet-season rains; a resupply ferry and bus service also operates across the Bloomfield River. The nearest school is Bloomfield River State School in neighbouring Bloomfield, while Mossman and Cairns provide the closest substantial shopping and health services. Degarra's isolation and spectacular tropical setting make it a place apart, attracting those drawn to an off-the-grid lifestyle on the edge of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Degarra falls under postcode 4895 and is governed by the Douglas 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
4895
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Douglas
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-15.94°, 145.34°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
6.77 km²
Population Density
12 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4895

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4895, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$42,994
Median 2023–24
$50,471
▲ 17.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$59,134

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4895; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Bloomfield River ferry/bus connection (limited service) — Cooktown / Cairns via Cape Tribulation Road Approx. 2.5-3 hrs to Cairns

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
No train service available
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs 30 min - 3 hrs (partly unsealed road)
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hrs 30 min - 3 hrs

🛣️ Access is via the Cape Tribulation–Bloomfield Road (Bloomfield Track), which may be impassable in wet season; 4WD recommended

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Degarra is a remote riverside locality with no local shops or services; residents rely entirely on a vehicle or the community ferry for access to supplies

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
80
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
991.2 / 100k
2yr Down 32.4% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
232.8 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 100.7%
Non-FV assault
1,652 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 165.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
285.3 / 100k
2yr Up 30.7% 10yr Down 43.5%
View all offence categories for Douglas →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Degarra known for? +

Degarra is known for its remote location at the mouth of the Bloomfield River on the Coral Sea, surrounded by tropical rainforest in the Wet Tropics region of Far North Queensland. The locality is accessible via the famous Bloomfield Track, a partly unsealed four-wheel-drive route through the Cape Tribulation area.

How far is Degarra from Cairns? +

Degarra is approximately 130 kilometres north of Cairns CBD by road, a journey that typically takes between 2.5 and 3 hours depending on road conditions; the Bloomfield Track section can be impassable during the wet season.

Does Degarra have public transport? +

Degarra has no regular bus or rail service. A resupply ferry and limited bus connection operates across the Bloomfield River, providing a link to Cooktown and Cairns. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is the most practical means of access, particularly in the wet season.

What is the population of Degarra? +

According to the 2021 Census, Degarra has a population of 80 residents, reflecting its character as a small, remote riverside community in tropical Far North Queensland.

Is Degarra a good place to live? +

Degarra offers a rare opportunity for genuinely off-the-grid tropical living in one of Australia's most spectacular natural environments, but it is only suited to those comfortable with extreme remoteness, limited services, and road access that can be cut off during the wet season.

What is the postcode for Degarra? +

The postcode for Degarra, QLD is 4895.

Is Degarra a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Degarra is part of the Douglas 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.