🔍

Macknade

QLD 4850 • Queensland

203
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
66.57 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalRemoteRiverside
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About Macknade

Macknade is a rural locality in the Shire of Hinchinbrook in Tropical North Queensland, situated approximately 16 kilometres north-east of Ingham and 129 kilometres north-west of Townsville. The locality sits on the banks of the Herbert River and spans around 67 square kilometres of low-lying cane country on the Herbert River floodplain. With a population of 203 residents, Macknade's identity is closely tied to its iconic sugar mill — the oldest raw sugar mill in Queensland.

The Macknade Sugar Mill has been the heart of this community for well over a century, and the surrounding land remains dominated by sugar cane cultivation traversed by narrow-gauge tramways. Residents have access to the services of nearby Ingham, which offers supermarkets, schools, and healthcare facilities. The locality enjoys a tropical setting with the Hinchinbrook Island National Park visible to the east, offering spectacular natural scenery and wildlife for those exploring the broader Herbert River region.

Macknade falls under postcode 4850 and is governed by the Hinchinbrook Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4850
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Hinchinbrook
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-18.55°, 146.50°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
66.57 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4850

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4850, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$43,617
Median 2023–24
$53,867
▲ 23.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$63,538

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4850; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Ingham 20-25 min by car

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
129 km
By Train
No direct train service; Queensland Rail Spirit of Queensland stops at Ingham (~16 km away)
By Car (Peak)
90-110 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
80-95 min

🛣️ Bruce Highway accessible via Ingham; car is the primary mode of transport

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily needs; Ingham provides the nearest shops, schools, and services roughly 16 km away

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
203
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
553.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 29.5%
Motor vehicle theft
267.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 46.8%
Non-FV assault
2,052.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 378.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
214.1 / 100k
2yr Up 25.3% 10yr Down 38.2%
View all offence categories for Hinchinbrook →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Macknade known for? +

Macknade is best known for its historic sugar mill — the oldest raw sugar mill in Queensland — which has been operating for over a century and remains the centrepiece of this Herbert River cane-farming community.

How far is Macknade from Townsville CBD? +

Macknade is approximately 129 kilometres north-west of Townsville CBD, a drive of around 90 to 110 minutes depending on traffic along the Bruce Highway.

Does Macknade have public transport? +

Macknade has no public transport or rail service. The nearest town, Ingham (approximately 16 km away), has a Queensland Rail station on the Brisbane to Cairns line. A car is essential to get around.

What is the population of Macknade? +

According to the 2021 Census, Macknade has a population of 203 people across approximately 79 dwellings, reflecting its small size as a rural sugar-farming locality.

Is Macknade a good place to live? +

Macknade suits those who enjoy a quiet tropical rural lifestyle closely tied to the agricultural industry, particularly sugar cane farming. Access to services and employment relies heavily on Ingham, and a car is essential for daily life.

What is the postcode for Macknade? +

The postcode for Macknade is 4850, shared with Ingham and surrounding localities in the Hinchinbrook Shire area.

Is Macknade a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Macknade is part of the Hinchinbrook 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.