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Moa Island

QLD 4875 • Queensland

432
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
170.74 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricMulticultural
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About Moa Island

Moa Island is a remote Torres Strait Island located in far north Queensland, approximately 150 kilometres north of Cape York Peninsula. Home to around 432 residents across two small communities — Kubin on the western side and St Pauls on the east — the island covers roughly 171 square kilometres of tropical terrain. It is governed by the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and holds deep cultural significance as a traditional homeland of the Mualgal and Kaurareg peoples.

Life on Moa Island revolves around community, culture, and connection to sea country, with fishing and subsistence activities central to daily life. The island is accessible by light aircraft or barge via Thursday Island, and essential services are limited compared to mainland Australia. Residents enjoy a close-knit, culturally rich community lifestyle shaped by generations of Torres Strait Islander tradition and heritage.

Moa 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.

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📍 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
170.74 km²
Population Density
3 /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

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
1100 km
By Train
No train access
By Car (Peak)
Not applicable
By Car (Off-Peak)
Not applicable

🛣️ Moa Island is accessible only by light aircraft to Kubin Airport or by barge/ferry via Thursday Island

Walkability Car Dependent

Limited road infrastructure across the island; most travel is on foot or by small vehicle between communities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
432
▲ 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 Moa 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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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Moa Island? +

Moa Island is located in the Torres Strait, approximately 150 km north of Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland. It is part of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council.

How do you get to Moa Island? +

Moa Island is accessible by light aircraft to Kubin Airport or by barge and ferry connections via Thursday Island (Horn Island).

What communities are on Moa Island? +

Moa Island has two communities: Kubin on the western side and St Pauls on the eastern side, with a combined population of around 432 people.

What is the postcode for Moa Island? +

Moa Island shares postcode 4875 with other Torres Strait localities including Thursday Island and surrounding islands.

Is Moa Island a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Moa 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.

What is the population of Moa Island? +

Moa Island had a population of 432 at the 2021 Census.