🔍

Shirbourne

QLD 4809 • Queensland

48
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
34.02 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalTropical
Advertisement

About Shirbourne

Shirbourne is a rural locality in the Shire of Burdekin in North Queensland, situated approximately 37.8 kilometres west of Ayr and 53.9 kilometres south-east of Townsville CBD at the foot of the Clarke Range. The locality covers 34 square kilometres of tropical farmland and open bushland, with the Haughton River forming its eastern boundary, and recorded a population of 48 at the 2021 census. Shirbourne occupies the transitional zone between the Burdekin's flat cane-growing coastal plains to the east and the rugged Mt Garnet Tablelands ranges to the west. The area experiences a tropical climate with hot, wet summers and warm, dry winters typical of North Queensland's coastal hinterland.

Shirbourne's small community is sustained primarily by the cattle grazing and agricultural industries that characterise the Burdekin hinterland, complemented by the broader Burdekin district's sugarcane economy centred on Ayr and Home Hill. Ayr (37.8 km east) is the main service hub for the Burdekin Shire, with supermarkets, schools, a hospital and community facilities. Townsville (54 km north-west) provides access to North Queensland's major city services including hospitals, James Cook University, retail and Townsville Airport with interstate and international connections. The surrounding countryside offers access to the Clarke Range's hiking trails and the Burdekin River's fishing and water recreation opportunities.

Shirbourne falls under postcode 4809 and is governed by the Burdekin Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Burdekin electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4809
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Burdekin
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Burdekin
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-19.53°, 147.14°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
34.02 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4809

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4809 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$58,062
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$64,950

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4809; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • School bus — Ayr / Giru ~40 min to Ayr

Commute to Townsville

Distance
54 km
By Train
Not available – no rail service to Shirbourne
By Bus
No regular public bus service
By Car (Peak)
~50 min to Townsville via Bruce Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
~45 min

🛣️ Ayr (~38 km east) is the nearest service hub. Townsville (~54 km north-west) is the regional centre with full services and airport. Roads can be affected by flooding during the wet season.

Walkability Car Dependent

Shirbourne is a dispersed rural locality with no walkable amenities. A private vehicle is essential. Ayr provides the nearest services approximately 40 minutes away.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
48
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
540.5 / 100k
2yr Down 48.6% 10yr Down 13.3%
Motor vehicle theft
270.3 / 100k
2yr Down 22.0% 10yr Up 46.3%
Non-FV assault
1,161.5 / 100k
2yr Down 15.9% 10yr Up 145.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
172.5 / 100k
2yr Down 47.6% 10yr Down 62.2%
View all offence categories for Burdekin →

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

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shirbourne known for? +

Shirbourne is a rural locality in the Burdekin Shire, part of the sugar cane and cattle farming country north of Ayr. The area is characteristic of North Queensland's broad agricultural plains near the Burdekin River delta.

How far is Shirbourne from Townsville? +

Shirbourne is approximately 54 kilometres south-west of Townsville, about a 45–50 minute drive via the Bruce Highway. Ayr (approximately 38 km east) is the nearest town with services.

Does Shirbourne have public transport? +

Shirbourne has no public transport. A car is essential; Ayr provides local services and Townsville is the main regional centre. Roads can be affected by flooding during the wet season.

What is the population of Shirbourne? +

According to the 2021 Census, Shirbourne has a population of approximately 48 residents, a sparsely populated rural farming locality in the Burdekin Shire.

Is Shirbourne a good place to live? +

Shirbourne suits farmers and those with agricultural ties to the Burdekin district, offering open farming country and proximity to Ayr and Townsville's services. The remote pastoral lifestyle appeals to those who value wide open spaces and the tropical North Queensland environment.

What is the postcode for Shirbourne? +

The postcode for Shirbourne, QLD is 4809.

Is Shirbourne a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Shirbourne is part of the Burdekin 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.