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Masig Island

QLD 4875 • Queensland

283
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
1.57 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteCoastalIslandMulticulturalHistoric
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About Masig Island

Masig Island (also known as Yorke Island) is a small coral cay in the Torres Strait, located in the central island group approximately 200 kilometres north of the tip of Cape York and governed by the Torres Strait Island Regional Council. The island is 2.7 kilometres in length and 800 metres at its widest point, covering just 1.57 square kilometres of low-lying coral and vegetated land in the Coral Sea. With a 2021 population of 283, Masig supports a close-knit Indigenous community where the majority of dwellings are social housing, reflecting the island's community-managed character.

Masig Island has a rich cultural history rooted in the traditions of the Torres Strait Islander peoples, with the community connected by sea and air to the broader Torres Strait region. A primary health care centre serves local residents, and the island has community facilities managed under the Torres Strait Island Regional Council. Access to the island is exclusively by air or water, with no road connection to the Australian mainland, making Masig a genuinely remote community that maintains strong cultural identity and connection to its sea country.

Masig Island falls under postcode 4875 and is governed by the Torres Strait Island Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Leichhardt, while state elections fall under the Cook electorate.

📍 Location

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

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4875

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4875, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$47,835
Median 2023–24
$54,895
▲ 14.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$66,357

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4875; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No bus services — N/A N/A

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
1600 km
By Train
No rail service; flight to Thursday Island or Cairns required
By Car (Peak)
Not accessible by road
By Car (Off-Peak)
Not accessible by road

🛣️ Nearest major centre is Thursday Island (~80km west); Cairns is ~560km south by air

Walkability Car-Dependent

No vehicles practical on the small island; residents walk within the community but rely on boat or air for any off-island needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
283
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
139.8 / 100k
2yr Down 66.7% 10yr Down 81.5%
Motor vehicle theft
23.3 / 100k
2yr Down 66.7% 10yr Down 44.4%
Non-FV assault
2,632.2 / 100k
2yr Up 12.8% 10yr Up 42.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
46.6 / 100k
2yr Up 99.6% 10yr Down 25.8%
View all offence categories for Torres Strait Island →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Masig Island known for? +

Masig Island, traditionally known as Yorke Island, is known as a Torres Strait coral cay with a rich Indigenous cultural heritage. It is part of the central island group in the Torres Strait and is home to a close-knit community with deep connections to sea country and Torres Strait Islander traditions.

How far is Masig Island from Cairns? +

Masig Island is approximately 560 kilometres north of Cairns, accessible only by air or sea. Flights typically route via Thursday Island or Horn Island, making it a remote destination by any measure.

Does Masig Island have public transport? +

Masig Island has no road transport or conventional public transit. Access to and from the island is by light aircraft or boat. Within the small island community, residents travel on foot.

What is the population of Masig Island? +

According to the 2021 Census, Masig Island has a population of 283 residents, with 81.7% of dwellings being social housing, reflecting its status as a community-managed Torres Strait Island locality.

Is Masig Island a good place to live? +

Masig Island offers a unique and culturally rich way of life for those connected to the Torres Strait Islander community. Its remote location, surrounded by the Coral Sea, and strong community identity make it distinctive, though access to mainland services, health care beyond the local health centre, and retail requires travel to Thursday Island or Cairns.

What is the postcode for Masig Island? +

The postcode for Masig Island, QLD is 4875, which covers a number of remote Queensland localities including other Torres Strait islands.

Is Masig Island a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Masig Island is part of the Torres Strait Island 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.