🔍

Horn

QLD 4875 • Queensland

533
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
53.18 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteCoastalIndigenous CommunityIslandTropical

About Horn

Horn (Ngurapai) is a locality occupying Horn Island in the Torres Strait, approximately 900 kilometres north of Cairns within the Torres Strait Island Regional Council area. With a population of 533 residents, Horn Island is notable as the location of Torres Strait Airport — the main air gateway to the region — which provides vital links between Thursday Island, surrounding islands, and Cairns. The community has deep Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal heritage, and social housing makes up a significant share of the roughly 166 dwellings on the island.

Horn Island offers a unique and remote island lifestyle in one of Australia's most culturally rich and geographically distinct regions. Thursday Island — the administrative and commercial centre of the Torres Strait — is just a short ferry ride away, and residents access most retail, health, and education services there. The tropical climate brings warm, humid conditions year-round with high annual rainfall. Life on Horn Island is shaped by strong community bonds, Torres Strait Islander traditions, and the rhythms of island living at the northern tip of Australia.

Horn falls under postcode 4875 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4875
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-9.58°, 143.77°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
53.18 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Ferry to Thursday Island — Thursday Island (Waiben) 10–15 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
900 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
No road connection to mainland
By Car (Off-Peak)
No road connection to mainland

🛣️ Air travel from Torres Strait Airport to Cairns (~1.5–2 hrs) is the main long-distance connection. Ferry to Thursday Island is the local daily link.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Horn Island has limited walkable amenities; most services are accessed via ferry to Thursday Island

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
533
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Horn known for? +

Horn Island (Ngurapai) is known for Torres Strait Airport, the main air gateway to the region, and its significance as a World War II site where the island served as a key Allied base. It has strong Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

How far is Horn from Cairns? +

Horn Island is approximately 900 kilometres north of Cairns, accessible by regular flights from Cairns taking around 1.5–2 hours via Torres Strait Airport.

Does Horn have public transport? +

There is no road connection to the Australian mainland. Horn Island is served by Torres Strait Airport with regular flights to Cairns, and a regular ferry service connects it to Thursday Island approximately 4 kilometres away, with the crossing taking around 10–15 minutes.

What is the population of Horn? +

According to the 2021 Census, Horn Island has a population of 533 residents across approximately 166 dwellings, with a notably high proportion of social housing at around 33.7%.

Is Horn a good place to live? +

Horn Island suits those drawn to a remote island lifestyle with strong Torres Strait community connections and a unique cultural environment. Residents should expect limited retail and services on the island itself, with most amenities accessed via the ferry to Thursday Island.

What is the postcode for Horn? +

The postcode for Horn (Horn Island) is 4875, shared with Thursday Island and other Torres Strait Island communities.