🔍

Mission Beach

QLD 4852 • Rest of QLD

1,014
Population (2021)
$68,952
Median Household Income
9.62 km²
Area
$350/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideTourist HubRetiree-HavenLeafy

About Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a stunning coastal resort community in Far North Queensland, located approximately 140 kilometres south of Cairns within the Cassowary Coast Regional Council area. With a population of 1,014 residents spread across a compact 9.6 square kilometre area, the suburb sits at the junction of the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest and the Coral Sea, offering one of Australia's most dramatic natural settings. The median age of 49 and a median weekly household income of $1,326 reflect a mix of retirees, lifestyle seekers, and workers in the local tourism industry.

Mission Beach is renowned for its 14 kilometres of pristine beachfront, reef day-trips to the Great Barrier Reef, and one of the last remaining habitats for the endangered southern cassowary — a drawcard for wildlife enthusiasts and eco-tourists alike. The area comprises several interconnected communities including South Mission Beach, Bingil Bay, Wongaling Beach, and the Mission Beach township, each offering a relaxed tropical lifestyle with cafes, restaurants, and boutique accommodation. Residents enjoy year-round swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking, and rainforest walking trails through the World Heritage Area, while the Mission Beach Community Centre and local arts scene contribute to a vibrant, close-knit community spirit.

Mission Beach falls under postcode 4852 and is governed by Cassowary Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4852
Urban Area
Johnstone
LGA / Council
Cassowary Coast
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.86°, 146.10°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
9.62 km²
Elevation
34m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$350
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,341
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
49 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound Australia, TransNorth — Cairns and Townsville Cairns ~2.5 hrs, Townsville ~3.5 hrs

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
140 km
By Train
No direct train service to Mission Beach
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min – 1 hr 45 min

🛣️ Bruce Highway connects to Cairns; car is essential for all daily needs

Walkability Car-Dependent

A car is required for most errands; the township has a small cluster of shops but no comprehensive services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
714 / 100k
2yr Down 31.9% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
201.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 11.2%
Non-FV assault
1,528.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 160.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
22.7 / 100k
2yr Up 240.4% 10yr Up 33.1%
Steal from vehicle
214.2 / 100k
2yr Down 16.6% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Cassowary Coast →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
815
Census 2021
1,014
▲ 24.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,524
Personal Income 2021
$36,972
▲ 21.1% 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
$36,972 / yr
$711/wk
Household
$68,952 / yr
$1326/wk
Family
$83,044 / yr
$1597/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 723
Born Overseas 181

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 67
  • 2. New Zealand 27
  • 3. Papua New Guinea 12
  • 4. Philippines 9
  • 5. Ireland 7
  • 6. India 5
  • 7. Netherlands 5
  • 8. Scotland 5
  • 9. Germany 4
  • 10. Indonesia 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 415
Australian 359
Irish 133
Scottish 121
German 57
Italian 32
Australian Aboriginal 17
Dutch 14
New Zealander 12
Filipino 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

545
Both parents born in Australia
236
Both parents born overseas
112
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.7%
Christianity
38.3%
Sikhism
1.4%
Buddhism
0.8%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
53 (5.2%)
5-14 years
84 (8.3%)
15-19 years
44 (4.3%)
20-24 years
32 (3.2%)
25-34 years
141 (13.9%)
35-44 years
100 (9.9%)
45-54 years
150 (14.8%)
55-64 years
195 (19.2%)
65-74 years
133 (13.1%)
75-84 years
66 (6.5%)
85+ years
11 (1.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mission Beach known for? +

Mission Beach is best known for its 14 kilometres of pristine tropical beach, direct access to the Great Barrier Reef, and the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest. It is also one of the last strongholds of the endangered southern cassowary, making it a popular eco-tourism destination in Far North Queensland.

How far is Mission Beach from Cairns? +

Mission Beach is approximately 140 kilometres south of Cairns, a drive of around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours via the Bruce Highway and the Tully–Mission Beach Road.

Does Mission Beach have public transport? +

Public transport options are very limited. Greyhound Australia and TransNorth bus services connect Mission Beach to Cairns and Townsville, but there is no local bus network or rail service. A car is essential for daily life.

What is the population of Mission Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mission Beach has a population of 1,014 residents. The median age of 49 reflects the area's popularity with retirees and lifestyle seekers rather than young families.

Is Mission Beach a good place to live? +

Mission Beach offers an extraordinary lifestyle for those who value natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed pace of life — with world-class beaches, reef, and rainforest on the doorstep. It suits retirees and remote workers well, though its isolation means limited services and a long drive to Cairns for major shopping or medical care.

What is the postcode for Mission Beach? +

The postcode for Mission Beach, Queensland is 4852.

What is the average income in Mission Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Mission Beach is about $711 per week (around $37,000 per year). The median household income is $1,326 per week and the median family income is $1,597 per week.

What is the age profile of Mission Beach? +

The median age in Mission Beach is 49. The largest age group is 55–64 (195 residents, around 19%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Mission Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Mission Beach is part of the Cassowary Coast 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.

How much is rent in Mission Beach? +

In Mission Beach, the median weekly rent is $350, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,341 (2021 Census).