🔍

Fitzroy Island

QLD 4871 • Queensland

85
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
3.28 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideTourist HubBushlandResort Town
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About Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island is a continental island locality located approximately 29 kilometres south-east of Cairns in Far North Queensland, within the Cairns Regional Council area. The island covers just 3.3 square kilometres and nearly all of it is protected as Fitzroy Island National Park, forming part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. With a permanent 2021 Census population of 85 residents — primarily resort and park staff — the island is a unique locality unlike any other in Queensland.

Fitzroy Island is celebrated for its spectacular natural environment, featuring granite outcrops, tropical rainforest, open woodlands, mangroves, and fringing coral reef accessible directly from the beach. Nudey Beach, voted one of Australia's best beaches, offers outstanding snorkelling from the shore, while four walking tracks wind through the island's national park, including the Summit Walk with panoramic views toward the Great Barrier Reef. The Fitzroy Island Resort provides the island's main accommodation and dining, and multiple daily ferry services from Cairns' Reef Fleet Terminal make it a popular day trip destination. For permanent residents, life on the island revolves around the natural environment, tourism, and close community ties in one of Australia's most extraordinary settings.

Fitzroy Island falls under postcode 4871 and is governed by the Cairns Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Leichhardt, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4871
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.93°, 145.99°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
3.28 km²
Population Density
26 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4871

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4871, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,070
Median 2023–24
$46,529
▲ 22.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$57,771

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4871; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Ferry services (Fitzroy Island Flyer) — Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal 45 min by high-speed catamaran

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
29 km
By Train
No rail service; ferry only
By Car (Peak)
N/A (island accessible by ferry only)
By Car (Off-Peak)
N/A (island accessible by ferry only)

🛣️ Multiple daily ferry departures from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal; 45-minute crossing; no road access to island

Walkability Car-Dependent

The island is small and walkable within the resort area, but all access to the mainland and services requires the daily ferry service

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
85
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,489.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.8% 10yr Up 19.6%
Motor vehicle theft
602.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.9%
Non-FV assault
2,214 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 207.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
53.6 / 100k
2yr Down 36.0% 10yr Up 49.4%
Steal from vehicle
529.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.5%
View all offence categories for Cairns →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fitzroy Island known for? +

Fitzroy Island is known for its spectacular natural environment as part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, including Nudey Beach — one of Australia's most celebrated beaches — fringing coral reefs for snorkelling, tropical rainforest, and four national park walking tracks.

How far is Fitzroy Island from Cairns? +

Fitzroy Island is approximately 29 kilometres south-east of Cairns, with a daily high-speed ferry service making the crossing in around 45 minutes from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.

Does Fitzroy Island have public transport? +

Fitzroy Island is accessible only by ferry; there is no road or rail connection to the mainland. Multiple daily ferry departures operate from Cairns, and the island itself is small enough to explore entirely on foot.

What is the population of Fitzroy Island? +

According to the 2021 Census, Fitzroy Island has a permanent population of 85 residents, mostly comprising resort and national park staff who live on the island full-time.

Is Fitzroy Island a good place to live? +

Fitzroy Island offers an extraordinarily unique lifestyle surrounded by a pristine national park and the Great Barrier Reef. It suits those working in tourism or conservation who are comfortable with island living, daily ferry reliance, and a small, close-knit community far from urban conveniences.

What is the postcode for Fitzroy Island? +

The postcode for Fitzroy Island, Queensland is 4871, shared with Cairns and other localities in the Far North Queensland region.

Is Fitzroy Island a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Fitzroy Island is part of the Cairns 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.