🔍

Erub Island

QLD 4875 • Queensland

326
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
5.64 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
Torres StraitIndigenous CommunityIslandRemoteCultural Heritage
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About Erub Island

Erub Island, also known as Darnley Island, is a small volcanic island in the eastern Torres Strait, located approximately 200 kilometres north of the tip of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. The island covers about 5.6 square kilometres and is home to the Erub (Darnley Island) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, with a 2021 census population of 326 people. Erub is administered as part of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and retains strong connections to Meriam Mir language and traditional culture.

Life on Erub Island centres on the tight-knit Indigenous community, which maintains rich traditions in fishing, dance, weaving, and seamanship. The island has a primary school, community health clinic, and basic retail store, with more comprehensive services accessed via Thursday Island or Cairns by light aircraft. Erub is also notable as the site where the London Missionary Society first brought Christianity to the Torres Strait in 1871, and the historic church and cemetery are significant cultural landmarks. The surrounding coral reefs offer exceptional fishing and diving opportunities.

Erub 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
5.64 km²
Population Density
58 /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

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
230 km
By Train
N/A – island location
By Bus
N/A – island location
By Car (Peak)
N/A – no road connection
By Car (Off-Peak)
N/A

🛣️ Access by light aircraft to Erub Island Airport (connections to Cairns ~2 h, or Thursday Island ~45 min) or by ferry/barge from Thursday Island (~3–4 h).

Walkability Walkable Island

The island community is small enough to navigate on foot, though the island has limited paved paths; most residents walk between community facilities.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
326
▲ 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 Erub 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 Erub Island known for? +

Erub Island, also known as Darnley Island, is known for its rich Meriam cultural heritage, traditional fishing, dance, weaving, and seamanship. The island community maintains deep connections to Torres Strait Islander culture and is an important part of Queensland's First Nations heritage.

How do you get to Erub Island? +

Erub Island is accessible by air via charter or regular services from Cairns to the Torres Strait. The island is approximately 200 kilometres north of the tip of Cape York, making boat travel impractical for most visitors.

Does Erub Island have public transport? +

There is no public transport on Erub Island. Air services connect it to Thursday Island and Cairns. The island community relies on internal transport by foot and limited local vehicles.

What is the population of Erub Island? +

The 2021 Census recorded 326 residents on Erub Island, a Torres Strait Islander community in Far North Queensland with its own distinct cultural identity and governance.

Is Erub Island a good place to live? +

Erub Island is home to a proud Torres Strait Islander community with strong cultural ties. Life on the island is oriented around community, culture, fishing, and connection to sea country, though access to mainland services requires air travel.

What is the postcode for Erub Island? +

The postcode for Erub Island is 4875, covering the Torres Strait Island communities of Far North Queensland.

Is Erub Island a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Erub 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.