🔍

Ravenshoe

QLD 4888 • Rest of QLD

1,332
Population (2021)
$44,668
Median Household Income
139.15 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricNature-RetreatAffordableHighland

About Ravenshoe

Ravenshoe is a small rural town on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, situated at an elevation of 938 metres, making it one of the highest towns in the state. With a population of around 1,330 residents, the town has a median age of 52 and a strong Australian and English heritage community. Ravenshoe also has a notable Indigenous population, with Aboriginal people making up about 19% of residents. The town serves as a gateway to the surrounding tropical rainforests and national parks of the Wet Tropics.

Life in Ravenshoe centres around its natural surroundings, with attractions including Millstream Falls — Australia's widest waterfall — and nearby Tully Falls and Windy Hill Wind Farm. The town has a relaxed, close-knit community atmosphere that appeals to retirees, tree-changers, and those seeking an affordable rural lifestyle. Local amenities include a primary and secondary school, shops along the main street, and community sporting facilities. The cooler highland climate provides a welcome contrast to the tropical heat of the coast below.

Ravenshoe falls under postcode 4888 and is governed by Tablelands Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4888
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Tablelands
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.62°, 145.51°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
139.15 km²
Elevation
938m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,000
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
52 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.6%

19 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North — Atherton / Cairns 45 min to Atherton, 2.5 hrs to Cairns

Commute to Cairns

Distance
125 km
By Bus
2.5 - 3 hours
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Remote tablelands town; Cairns is the nearest major city. Limited public transport.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small rural town where most errands require a car, though the compact town centre is walkable.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,556.7 / 100k
2yr Up 40.5% 10yr Up 168.9%
Motor vehicle theft
414.2 / 100k
2yr Up 68.5% 10yr Up 154.7%
Non-FV assault
1,156.9 / 100k
2yr Down 12.2% 10yr Up 180.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
35.7 / 100k
2yr Up 62.2% 10yr Up 200.1%
Steal from vehicle
346.3 / 100k
2yr Up 38.8% 10yr Up 30.4%
View all offence categories for Tablelands →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,400
Census 2021
1,332
▼ 4.9% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$22,464
Personal Income 2021
$25,116
▲ 11.8% 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
$25,116 / yr
$483/wk
Household
$44,668 / yr
$859/wk
Family
$58,032 / yr
$1116/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 994
Born Overseas 149

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 39
  • 2. New Zealand 29
  • 3. Germany 16
  • 4. United States 10
  • 5. Zimbabwe 6
  • 6. Canada 4
  • 7. Netherlands 4
  • 8. Papua New Guinea 4
  • 9. South Africa 4
  • 10. Philippines 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 463
Australian 437
Australian Aboriginal 238
Irish 159
Scottish 137
German 75
Italian 48
Chinese 24
Dutch 13
New Zealander 10

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

864
Both parents born in Australia
178
Both parents born overseas
110
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.6%
Christianity
37.7%
Buddhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.3%
Judaism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
46 (3.5%)
5-14 years
148 (11.1%)
15-19 years
88 (6.6%)
20-24 years
47 (3.5%)
25-34 years
97 (7.3%)
35-44 years
99 (7.4%)
45-54 years
183 (13.7%)
55-64 years
248 (18.6%)
65-74 years
228 (17.1%)
75-84 years
107 (8.0%)
85+ years
30 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ravenshoe known for? +

Ravenshoe is known as the highest town in Queensland, sitting at 930 metres elevation on the Atherton Tablelands. It is famous for nearby Millstream Falls — one of Australia's widest waterfalls — and the Windy Hill Wind Farm. The town has a strong timber and cattle heritage.

How far is Ravenshoe from Cairns? +

Ravenshoe is approximately 125 kilometres south-west of Cairns, about a 1.5–1.75 hour drive via the Palmerston or Gillies Highway. Atherton (approximately 30 km north) is the main Tablelands service centre.

Does Ravenshoe have public transport? +

Ravenshoe has limited bus services connecting to Atherton and Cairns (approximately 2.5–3 hours). There is no rail service; a car is the most practical means of transport for residents.

What is the population of Ravenshoe? +

According to the 2021 Census, Ravenshoe has a population of approximately 1,332 residents, the main town for the upper Atherton Tablelands.

Is Ravenshoe a good place to live? +

Ravenshoe offers a unique cool highland lifestyle on the Atherton Tablelands, popular with those who enjoy a natural environment, dairy farming country, and spectacular waterfalls. The cooler temperatures and stunning scenery make it a distinctive Far North Queensland lifestyle choice.

What is the postcode for Ravenshoe? +

The postcode for Ravenshoe, QLD is 4888.

What is the average income in Ravenshoe? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Ravenshoe is about $483 per week (around $25,100 per year). The median household income is $859 per week and the median family income is $1,116 per week.

What is the age profile of Ravenshoe? +

The median age in Ravenshoe is 52. The largest age group is 55–64 (248 residents, around 19%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Ravenshoe a safe area? +

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

In Ravenshoe, the median weekly rent is $250, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,000 (2021 Census).