🔍

Manunda

QLD 4870 • Rest of QLD

5,191
Population (2021)
$55,588
Median Household Income
4.25 km²
Area
$259/wk
Median Rent
MulticulturalAffordableInner SuburbFamily-FriendlyTropical

About Manunda

Manunda is an inner suburb of Cairns in Far North Queensland, located just 3 kilometres west of the Cairns CBD. With a population of around 5,200, it is a well-established residential area known for its multicultural character, with over 25% of residents born overseas. The suburb has a mix of older Queenslander homes and newer developments, offering relatively affordable housing close to the city centre.

Manunda is home to several key community facilities including Cairns State High School, the Cairns Aquatic Fitness Centre, and Parramatta Park, one of Cairns' most popular green spaces. The suburb has good access to shopping at Cairns Central and local convenience stores. Its central location and affordable rents make it popular with young professionals, families, and students attending nearby educational institutions.

Manunda falls under postcode 4870 and is governed by Cairns Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cairns electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4870
Urban Area
Manunda - Portsmith
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cairns
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.92°, 145.75°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
4.25 km²
Elevation
15m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Routes 1A, 1B — Cairns CBD – Edmonton via Manunda 10–15 min to CBD
  • Sunbus Route 2 — Cairns CBD – Smithfield via Manunda 10 min to CBD

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
3 km
By Bus
10–15 min
By Car (Peak)
8 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 min

🛣️ Cairns has no commuter rail; bus is the main public transport option

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Flat terrain and proximity to CBD make walking feasible for many errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains Manunda. 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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$259
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
11.7%

215 state housing + 38 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,390
Census 2021
5,191
▼ 3.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,676
Personal Income 2021
$33,696
▲ 26.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$33,696 / yr
$648/wk
Household
$55,588 / yr
$1069/wk
Family
$76,544 / yr
$1472/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,209
Born Overseas 1,399

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 156
  • 2. England 146
  • 3. Papua New Guinea 126
  • 4. Philippines 120
  • 5. Nepal 109
  • 6. India 91
  • 7. Japan 58
  • 8. South Korea 33
  • 9. China 32
  • 10. Germany 28

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,480
Australian 1,248
Australian Aboriginal 590
Irish 476
Scottish 389
German 206
Filipino 172
Italian 149
Chinese 92
Indian 77

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,370
Both parents born in Australia
1,641
Both parents born overseas
572
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
41.5%
No Religion
37.7%
Buddhism
2.9%
Hinduism
2.7%
Sikhism
1.2%
Islam
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
293 (5.6%)
5-14 years
537 (10.3%)
15-19 years
328 (6.3%)
20-24 years
379 (7.3%)
25-34 years
754 (14.5%)
35-44 years
701 (13.5%)
45-54 years
695 (13.4%)
55-64 years
636 (12.3%)
65-74 years
527 (10.2%)
75-84 years
273 (5.3%)
85+ years
74 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Manunda known for? +

Manunda is an inner suburb of Cairns in Far North Queensland, located just 3 kilometres west of the Cairns CBD. With a population of around 5,200, it is a well-established residential area known for its multicultural character, with over 25% of residents born overseas.

How far is Manunda from Brisbane CBD? +

Manunda is approximately 3 km from Cairns CBD. By car, the journey takes around 5 min off-peak and 8 min during peak hours.

Does Manunda have public transport? +

Manunda is served by bus routes connecting to Cairns CBD – Edmonton via Manunda, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Manunda? +

According to the 2021 Census, Manunda has a population of approximately 5,191 residents. It is a well-established suburb within the Cairns (Regional Council).

Is Manunda a good place to live? +

Manunda offers affordable housing options and practical suburban living, making it a good choice for first home buyers, families, and those on a budget who still want access to regional amenities.

What is the postcode for Manunda? +

The postcode for Manunda, QLD is 4870.