🔍

Lizard

QLD 4892 • Queensland

65
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
12.01 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalRemoteTourist HubBeachside
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About Lizard

Lizard is a small remote locality in far north Queensland, situated approximately 35 kilometres north-east of Cooktown within the Cook Shire Council area. Covering around 12 square kilometres near the iconic Lizard Island — one of Australia's premier reef dive destinations — the locality sits on the stunning far north Queensland coast, where the Great Barrier Reef lies just offshore. With a 2021 Census population of 65 residents, Lizard is a tiny, uniquely positioned community at the edge of one of the world's great natural wonders.

Lizard Island is the jewel of the outer Great Barrier Reef, home to the exclusive Lizard Island Resort and an iconic research station. The island's surrounding reef is considered among the finest diving and snorkelling in the world, and it is the starting point for the annual Lizard Island Race Week, a celebrated offshore yacht racing event. Access to this remote community is almost exclusively by light aircraft from Cairns, with no road access available. Lizard offers an extraordinarily remote lifestyle surrounded by world-class natural beauty.

Lizard falls under postcode 4892 and is governed by the Cook 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
4892
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cook
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-14.66°, 143.37°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
12.01 km²
Population Density
5 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4892

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4892, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$34,323
Median 2023–24
$40,514
▲ 18.0% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$51,556

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4892; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No bus service — N/A N/A

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
270 km
By Train
No access; light aircraft from Cairns is the primary means of travel
By Car (Peak)
Not applicable — no road access to Lizard Island
By Car (Off-Peak)
Not applicable

🛣️ Access is by charter/scheduled light aircraft from Cairns (approx 1 hr); boat access also possible

Walkability Car-Dependent

On the island itself, walking is feasible for local areas, but there is no road access from the mainland and all supplies arrive by air or boat

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
65
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,391.2 / 100k
2yr Up 27.4% 10yr Up 87.0%
Motor vehicle theft
245.5 / 100k
2yr Down 16.5% 10yr Up 50.9%
Non-FV assault
4,746.5 / 100k
2yr Up 18.3% 10yr Up 219.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
409.2 / 100k
2yr Up 39.2% 10yr Down 20.0%
View all offence categories for Cook →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lizard known for? +

Lizard (Lizard Island) is known for the exclusive Lizard Island Resort and the Australian Institute of Marine Science research station, as well as world-class Great Barrier Reef diving, particularly the famous Cod Hole dive site, and the annual Lizard Island Race Week.

How far is Lizard from Cairns? +

Lizard Island is approximately 270 kilometres north of Cairns by air. It is accessible only by light aircraft (approximately 1 hour from Cairns airport) or by boat, as there is no road access.

Does Lizard have public transport? +

Lizard Island has no public transport. The island is accessible only by charter or scheduled light aircraft from Cairns, or by private/charter boat. There is no road connection to the mainland.

What is the population of Lizard? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lizard has a resident population of approximately 65 people, primarily comprising resort staff, researchers at the marine science station, and a small permanent community.

Is Lizard a good place to live? +

Lizard Island offers an extraordinarily unique lifestyle surrounded by pristine Great Barrier Reef waters, ideal for those working in ecotourism, marine research, or who embrace remote island living with no road access.

What is the postcode for Lizard? +

The postcode for Lizard (Lizard Island) is 4892.

Is Lizard a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Lizard is part of the Cook 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.