East Russell
QLD 4861 • Queensland
About East Russell
East Russell is a small coastal rural locality in the Cairns Region of Far North Queensland, situated approximately 80 kilometres south of Cairns CBD between the township of Babinda and the Coral Sea coastline. The Russell River forms the western boundary of the locality, while much of the coastal strip is protected within the Russell River National Park. With a 2021 Census population of 83 residents across 34 dwellings, East Russell remains a quiet and largely undeveloped locality. The area lies within the state electorate of Hill, reflecting its position in the rural hinterland south of Cairns.
Outside the national park, land use is predominantly agricultural, with sugarcane farming the dominant activity in keeping with the broader Mulgrave-Russell region's history as a major cane-growing area. The locality's coastal margins include Mutchero Inlet, where the Russell and Mulgrave rivers meet, and the offshore Frankland Group National Park islands are accessible from the area. Residents rely on nearby Babinda and Innisfail for day-to-day services, schools, and shopping, with Cairns accessible for major retail and healthcare. The area appeals to those seeking a quiet rural or semi-rural lifestyle amid spectacular tropical scenery, with the national park offering walking and wildlife experiences.
East Russell falls under postcode 4861 and is governed by the Cairns Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Hill electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 4861
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4861, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4861; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Limited regional services — Babinda / Innisfail / Cairns Approx. 1.5 hrs to Cairns
Commute to Cairns CBD
🛣️ Bruce Highway provides main access north to Cairns; Babinda and Innisfail are closest service towns.
No local retail or services; residents must drive to Babinda or Innisfail for all daily needs
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Boulders Road
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Church Street
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29 Price Road
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains East Russell. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.