🔍

Shell Pocket

QLD 4855 • Queensland

83
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
5.39 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralCoastalAgriculturalPeaceful
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About Shell Pocket

Shell Pocket is a small rural locality in the Cassowary Coast Region of Far North Queensland, situated approximately 20 kilometres north-west of Mission Beach and around 140 kilometres south of Cairns CBD. Covering just 5.4 square kilometres, the locality sits in a valley flanked by the ranges of the Great Dividing Range, with Big Maria Creek running through the area below. With a 2021 Census population of 83 residents across 27 dwellings, Shell Pocket is a quiet, tightly settled rural community in one of Australia's most scenic tropical regions. The Cassowary Coast Regional Council is the local government authority for the area.

Land use in Shell Pocket is predominantly agricultural, with sugarcane farming the dominant activity in keeping with the broader Cassowary Coast region, which is also known for banana growing, tropical fruit production, and cattle grazing. Residents are within easy reach of the world-famous Mission Beach, Dunk Island, and the southern corridor of the Great Barrier Reef, offering exceptional opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and reef exploration. Tully, the nearest major service town, provides supermarkets, schools, and healthcare, while Innisfail and Cairns are accessible for broader retail and services. Shell Pocket offers a relaxed tropical lifestyle with affordable rural land and stunning natural surroundings.

Shell Pocket falls under postcode 4855 and is governed by the Cassowary Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4855
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cassowary Coast
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.82°, 146.01°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
5.39 km²
Population Density
15 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4855

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4855 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$47,879
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$55,844

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4855; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Tully / Mission Beach / Cairns Approx. 20 min to Mission Beach, 2 hrs to Cairns

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
140 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest Queensland Rail station is Cairns
By Car (Peak)
1.5-2 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.25-1.5 hrs

🛣️ Bruce Highway provides main access north to Cairns; Tully is the nearest service town, approx. 20 km away.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

No local services or footpaths; residents drive to Tully or Mission Beach for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
83
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
714 / 100k
2yr Down 31.9% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
201.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 11.2%
Non-FV assault
1,528.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 160.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
22.7 / 100k
2yr Up 240.4% 10yr Up 33.1%
Steal from vehicle
214.2 / 100k
2yr Down 16.6% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Cassowary Coast →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shell Pocket known for? +

Shell Pocket is known for its quiet rural character and spectacular tropical setting, with the locality sitting in a valley below the Great Dividing Range. The area is predominantly sugarcane farming country and is close to the iconic Mission Beach, Dunk Island, and the Great Barrier Reef.

How far is Shell Pocket from Cairns CBD? +

Shell Pocket is approximately 140 kilometres south of Cairns CBD, making it a drive of around 1.5 to 2 hours via the Bruce Highway through Innisfail and Tully.

Does Shell Pocket have public transport? +

Shell Pocket has very limited public transport. There is no rail service to the locality or the Mission Beach/Tully area; the nearest Queensland Rail station is in Cairns. A private vehicle is essential for residents.

What is the population of Shell Pocket? +

According to the 2021 Census, Shell Pocket has a population of 83 residents across 27 dwellings, making it a small and tight-knit rural community in the Cassowary Coast Region.

Is Shell Pocket a good place to live? +

Shell Pocket offers an affordable tropical rural lifestyle close to some of Australia's most spectacular natural attractions, including Mission Beach, Dunk Island, and the Great Barrier Reef. It suits farmers, hobby landholders, and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the Far North Queensland tropics.

What is the postcode for Shell Pocket? +

The postcode for Shell Pocket, Queensland is 4855, which is shared with Mission Beach and surrounding localities on the Cassowary Coast.

Is Shell Pocket a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Shell Pocket is part of the Cassowary Coast 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.