🔍

Speewah

QLD 4881 • Queensland

850
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
35.28 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricFamily-Friendly
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About Speewah

Speewah is a small rural locality in Far North Queensland, situated in the lush hinterland between Kuranda and Mareeba, approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Cairns. Nestled in the foothills of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Speewah has a population of around 850 residents spread across 35 square kilometres of tropical bushland and hobby farms. The area is characterised by its stunning natural environment, with rainforest, rivers, and a relaxed country lifestyle. Speewah sits within the Mareeba Shire, a region famed for its coffee, tropical fruit, and heritage.

Residents of Speewah enjoy a tree-change lifestyle with easy access to the amenities of Kuranda (about 10 km away) and Cairns. The area is popular with hobby farmers, artists, and those seeking an alternative lifestyle close to nature. The Barron River and surrounding national parks offer outstanding opportunities for swimming, hiking, and wildlife watching. The community is close-knit, with residents valuing the quiet rural character and proximity to the World Heritage rainforest. Cairns provides the nearest major retail, hospital, and employment hub.

Speewah falls under postcode 4881 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 Cook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4881
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mareeba
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.89°, 145.63°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
35.28 km²
Population Density
24 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4881

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4881, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$39,405
Median 2023–24
$49,374
▲ 25.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$63,965

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4881; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kuranda Railway Station
10 km
N/A — car required

Bus Services

  • Cairns Transit rural services — Cairns CBD 45 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
30 km
By Train
No regular passenger rail service
By Car (Peak)
35-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30 min

🛣️ Kennedy Highway via Kuranda Range Road is the main route to Cairns

Walkability Car-Dependent

Rural locality — a car is essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
850
▲ 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 Speewah. 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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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Speewah located? +

Speewah is located in Far North Queensland, in the tropical hinterland about 30 km northwest of Cairns, near the town of Kuranda in the Mareeba Shire.

What is the lifestyle like in Speewah? +

Speewah offers a quiet rural lifestyle surrounded by Wet Tropics rainforest. It's popular with hobby farmers and those seeking a nature-focused tree change, with Cairns accessible for work and shopping.

What natural attractions are near Speewah? +

Speewah is close to the Barron Gorge National Park, the Barron River, and the World Heritage Wet Tropics rainforest. Kuranda, the famous rainforest village, is about 10 km away.

Is Speewah a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Speewah 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.

What is the population of Speewah? +

Speewah had a population of 850 at the 2021 Census.