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Packers Camp

QLD 4865 • Queensland

136
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
12.75 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralSemi-RuralAgriculturalTropical
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About Packers Camp

Packers Camp is a small rural locality in the Cairns Region of Queensland, situated approximately 11 kilometres north-north-east of Gordonvale and 27 kilometres south of Cairns CBD. Covering around 12.7 square kilometres, the locality occupies a narrow coastal area between the cane fields of the Mulgrave River valley and the Coral Sea to the east. With a 2021 Census population of 136 residents across 40 dwellings, Packers Camp is a quiet rural community on the southern outskirts of the Cairns metropolitan area.

The locality is surrounded by productive sugar cane country — a defining feature of the landscape south of Cairns — with the nearby Mulgrave Mill at Gordonvale serving as the centre of the local sugar industry. Despite its small size, Packers Camp benefits from its proximity to Cairns, with residents able to access the full range of city amenities, including Cairns CBD shopping, the international airport, and North Queensland's largest hospital, within a 30-minute drive. The area offers an affordable rural lifestyle at the edge of one of Australia's most iconic tropical cities.

Packers Camp falls under postcode 4865 and is governed by the Cairns Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Mulgrave electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4865
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Mulgrave
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.02°, 145.80°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
12.75 km²
Population Density
11 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4865

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4865, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$49,234
Median 2023–24
$61,769
▲ 25.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$71,908

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4865; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Route 7 / Regional services — Cairns CBD Approx. 35–45 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
27 km
By Train
No regular commuter train service
By Car (Peak)
30–40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25–35 min

🛣️ Access via the Bruce Highway; Gordonvale is the nearest town for services, approx. 11 km south

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential; there are no local shops within the locality, though Gordonvale and Cairns are accessible by road.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
136
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,489.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.8% 10yr Up 19.6%
Motor vehicle theft
602.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.9%
Non-FV assault
2,214 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 207.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
53.6 / 100k
2yr Down 36.0% 10yr Up 49.4%
Steal from vehicle
529.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.5%
View all offence categories for Cairns →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Packers Camp QLD known for? +

Packers Camp is a quiet rural locality set among the sugar cane fields south of Cairns, in the Mulgrave River valley. The area is closely tied to the local sugar industry centred on the Gordonvale Mulgrave Mill, one of the largest sugar mills in Queensland.

How far is Packers Camp from Cairns CBD? +

Packers Camp is approximately 27 kilometres south of Cairns CBD, a drive of around 30–40 minutes depending on traffic via the Bruce Highway.

Does Packers Camp have public transport? +

Public transport options are very limited in Packers Camp. Some regional bus services connect the area to Gordonvale and Cairns, but a car is the most practical way to commute. There is no regular commuter rail service.

What is the population of Packers Camp? +

The 2021 Census recorded 136 people in Packers Camp across approximately 40 dwellings, making it a very small rural locality on the southern fringe of the Cairns urban area.

Is Packers Camp a good place to live? +

Packers Camp suits those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle with easy access to Cairns' city amenities. It offers affordable housing in a tropical setting, surrounded by farming land, while remaining within practical commuting distance of Cairns CBD.

What is the postcode for Packers Camp? +

The postcode for Packers Camp, Queensland is 4865, shared with Gordonvale and surrounding localities south of Cairns.

Is Packers Camp a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Packers Camp is part of the Cairns 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.