🔍

Mossman

QLD 4873 • Rest of QLD

1,935
Population (2021)
$62,244
Median Household Income
12.06 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
TropicalRegionalAffordableTourism GatewayIndigenous Heritage

About Mossman

Mossman is a small tropical town in Far North Queensland, located about 75 kilometres north of Cairns in the Douglas Shire. With a population of around 1,935, it sits at the foot of the Daintree Rainforest and serves as the gateway to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. The town has a significant Indigenous Australian community (20%) and a relaxed, tropical character with a median age of 43.

Mossman is centred around sugar cane farming and tourism, with the historic Mossman Sugar Mill a landmark feature. The town offers essential amenities including a Woolworths supermarket, schools, a hospital, and the stunning Mossman Gorge as a major attraction. Residents enjoy an affordable lifestyle with median rent of $250/week, and the community attracts retirees, families, and those seeking an alternative tropical lifestyle close to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage rainforest.

Mossman falls under postcode 4873 and is governed by Douglas Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4873
Urban Area
Mossman
LGA / Council
Douglas
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.46°, 145.37°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
12.06 km²
Elevation
12m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.2%

55 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North Bus — Cairns via Port Douglas 1h 15min
  • Port Douglas shuttle — Port Douglas 15-20 min

Commute to Cairns

Distance
75 km
By Bus
1h 15min
By Car (Peak)
1h
By Car (Off-Peak)
55 min

🛣️ Regional town — most residents work locally in sugar, tourism, or services. Limited public transport; car recommended.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable but most amenities and employment require driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    63 Front Street Mossman 4873 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
991.2 / 100k
2yr Down 32.4% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
232.8 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 100.7%
Non-FV assault
1,652 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 165.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
285.3 / 100k
2yr Up 30.7% 10yr Down 43.5%
View all offence categories for Douglas →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,937
Census 2021
1,935
▼ 0.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,432
Personal Income 2021
$32,500
▲ 10.4% 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
$32,500 / yr
$625/wk
Household
$62,244 / yr
$1197/wk
Family
$75,400 / yr
$1450/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,479
Born Overseas 246

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 60
  • 2. New Zealand 50
  • 3. Philippines 17
  • 4. Papua New Guinea 12
  • 5. Italy 11
  • 6. Canada 9
  • 7. India 9
  • 8. Scotland 9
  • 9. Fiji 7
  • 10. Ireland 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 644
English 644
Australian Aboriginal 357
Irish 180
Scottish 156
Italian 134
German 76
New Zealander 32
Filipino 23
Chinese 22

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,198
Both parents born in Australia
306
Both parents born overseas
234
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
43.7%
Christianity
42.7%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
102 (5.3%)
5-14 years
306 (15.8%)
15-19 years
114 (5.9%)
20-24 years
95 (4.9%)
25-34 years
195 (10.1%)
35-44 years
203 (10.5%)
45-54 years
254 (13.1%)
55-64 years
253 (13.1%)
65-74 years
230 (11.9%)
75-84 years
124 (6.4%)
85+ years
54 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mossman known for? +

Mossman is known for Mossman Gorge, a stunning gorge and swimming hole within the Daintree National Park, as well as the Mossman Central Mill, a major sugar cane processing facility. The town is also the southern gateway to the Daintree Rainforest, one of the world's oldest living rainforests.

How far is Mossman from Cairns? +

Mossman is approximately 75 kilometres north of Cairns, about a 1-hour drive via the Captain Cook Highway. Port Douglas (17 km south) is the nearest tourist hub with extensive dining and accommodation.

Does Mossman have public transport? +

Mossman is served by bus routes connecting to Port Douglas and Cairns (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). There is no rail service to Mossman; a car or bus is the practical means of transport.

What is the population of Mossman? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mossman has a population of approximately 1,935 residents, making it the main service town for the Douglas Shire.

Is Mossman a good place to live? +

Mossman offers a relaxed tropical lifestyle close to the Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Port Douglas, making it appealing to those who want affordable Far North Queensland living with extraordinary natural surroundings. The town has a school, shops, and local services, with Cairns accessible within an hour.

What is the postcode for Mossman? +

The postcode for Mossman, QLD is 4873.

What is the average income in Mossman? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Mossman is about $625 per week (around $32,500 per year). The median household income is $1,197 per week and the median family income is $1,450 per week.

What is the age profile of Mossman? +

The median age in Mossman is 43. The largest age group is 5–14 (306 residents, around 16%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Mossman a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Mossman is part of the Douglas 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 Mossman? +

In Mossman, the median weekly rent is $250, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).