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Etty Bay

QLD 4858 • Queensland

486
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
9.58 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRuralQuietPeaceful
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About Etty Bay

Etty Bay is a small coastal locality in Queensland's Cassowary Coast Region, situated approximately 12 kilometres south-east of Innisfail and around 99 kilometres south-east of Cairns. The locality spans just under 10 square kilometres along the Coral Sea coast and is home to a population of 486 residents according to the 2021 Census. Administered by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Etty Bay occupies a lush, tropical setting typical of Far North Queensland, with dense rainforest meeting the shoreline.

Etty Bay is famous for the wild cassowaries that regularly visit its beach — one of the few places in Australia where these endangered birds can be reliably spotted in their natural habitat. The sheltered bay offers safe swimming and is popular with beachgoers and wildlife enthusiasts from across the region. Residents enjoy a quiet, nature-immersed lifestyle, with the town of Innisfail providing access to supermarkets, schools, and health services, while the North Queensland cane farming landscape surrounds the community.

Etty Bay falls under postcode 4858 and is governed by the Cassowary Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4858
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cassowary Coast
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.62°, 146.08°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
9.58 km²
Population Density
51 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4858

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4858 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$54,593
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$66,286

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4858; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited local services — Innisfail 15-20 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
99 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 15 min - 1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 5 min - 1 hr 20 min

🛣️ Accessible via the Bruce Highway and Cassowary Coast Road; car is essential

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Etty Bay has no commercial amenities; all shopping and services require driving to Innisfail

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
486
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
714 / 100k
2yr Down 31.9% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
201.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 11.2%
Non-FV assault
1,528.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 160.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
22.7 / 100k
2yr Up 240.4% 10yr Up 33.1%
Steal from vehicle
214.2 / 100k
2yr Down 16.6% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Cassowary Coast →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Etty Bay known for? +

Etty Bay is best known for the wild cassowaries that regularly visit its beach, making it one of the most reliable spots in Australia to see these rare, endangered birds in their natural habitat. The sheltered bay is also popular for swimming and its stunning tropical rainforest setting.

How far is Etty Bay from Cairns? +

Etty Bay is approximately 99 kilometres south-east of Cairns CBD, a drive of around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes via the Bruce Highway.

Does Etty Bay have public transport? +

Etty Bay has very limited public transport options. There is no rail service; the nearest town with wider services is Innisfail, around 12 kilometres away. A car is essential for daily life.

What is the population of Etty Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Etty Bay has a population of 486 residents, making it a small, tightly-knit coastal community within the Cassowary Coast Region.

Is Etty Bay a good place to live? +

Etty Bay suits those seeking a quiet, nature-rich lifestyle in tropical Far North Queensland. Its proximity to the Coral Sea, rainforest, and regular cassowary sightings make it unique, though residents rely on Innisfail for most services and amenities.

What is the postcode for Etty Bay? +

The postcode for Etty Bay is 4858.

Is Etty Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Etty Bay is part of the Cassowary Coast 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.