🔍

Mount Molloy

QLD 4871 • Queensland

266
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
252.87 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteHistoricAgricultural
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About Mount Molloy

Mount Molloy is a small historic rural town and locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Tropical North Queensland, situated approximately 55 kilometres north of Cairns. Located on the Atherton Tablelands gateway route along the Kennedy Highway, the town has a population of around 266 residents and covers an extensive area of nearly 253 square kilometres. The area was originally settled during the copper mining era of the mid-1880s and is named after teamster Patrick Molloy who discovered a copper outcrop in the district.

Today Mount Molloy is dominated by cattle grazing, with the wider locality offering a quintessential far north Queensland rural lifestyle surrounded by tropical bush. The town itself has a small cluster of local services including a pub — the historic Mount Molloy Hotel — making it a popular rest stop for travellers heading to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. The community is close-knit and the surrounding landscape, including access to national parks and tropical rainforest corridors, appeals to those seeking a remote lifestyle with a connection to North Queensland's pioneering history.

Mount Molloy falls under postcode 4871 and is governed by the Mareeba Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Leichhardt, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4871
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mareeba
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.93°, 145.99°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
252.87 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4871

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4871, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,070
Median 2023–24
$46,529
▲ 22.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$57,771

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4871; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • TransNorth/limited regional services — Cairns Approx. 1 hr

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
55 km
By Train
No train service
By Car (Peak)
55-70 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
50-60 min

🛣️ Accessible via Kennedy Highway; no regular public transport to Cairns

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily needs — the town has minimal local services and the surrounding area is entirely rural

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
266
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,476.6 / 100k
2yr Up 71.6% 10yr Up 137.3%
Motor vehicle theft
514.2 / 100k
2yr Up 58.3% 10yr Up 223.8%
Non-FV assault
2,719.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 218.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
271.5 / 100k
2yr Down 18.5% 10yr Down 10.7%
View all offence categories for Mareeba →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Molloy known for? +

Mount Molloy is known for its copper mining history dating back to the 1880s, its cattle grazing character, and its position as a gateway stop on the route to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. The Mount Molloy Hotel is a local landmark.

How far is Mount Molloy from Cairns? +

Mount Molloy is approximately 55 kilometres north of Cairns, making it roughly a 55–70 minute drive via the Kennedy Highway.

Does Mount Molloy have public transport? +

Public transport options are very limited in Mount Molloy. There is no rail service, and regional bus services to Cairns are infrequent. A private vehicle is essential for getting around.

What is the population of Mount Molloy? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mount Molloy has a population of approximately 266 residents across a locality of nearly 253 square kilometres, reflecting its sparse rural character.

Is Mount Molloy a good place to live? +

Mount Molloy suits those who value a quiet, remote rural lifestyle in tropical North Queensland. It is ideal for people who work in agriculture or the cattle industry and are comfortable with limited local services and long drives for shopping and facilities.

What is the postcode for Mount Molloy? +

The postcode for Mount Molloy is 4871.

Is Mount Molloy a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Mount Molloy is part of the Mareeba 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.