🔍

The Leap

QLD 4740 • Queensland

664
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
55.78 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietSemi-Rural
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About The Leap

The Leap is a small rural locality in the Mackay Region of central Queensland, situated approximately 25 kilometres south-west of the Mackay CBD within the Mackay Regional Council area. The locality covers a broad area of 55.8 square kilometres and recorded a population of 664 in the 2021 Census. Set in the gently undulating cane farming country that characterises the Mackay hinterland, The Leap has a distinctly agricultural character, with the median income in the postcode area reflecting the working households typical of the region's sugar industry.

The surrounding landscape is dominated by sugar cane farms, which have been the economic foundation of the Mackay region since the 19th century. The locality takes its name from the steep hillside where, according to local legend, a bushranger made a dramatic leap to escape capture. Residents rely on Mackay for all major services, shopping, healthcare, and schooling, with the city easily accessible via the Peak Downs Highway. The Leap suits those who appreciate open rural landscapes and a close connection to Queensland's agricultural heartland, while remaining within reasonable reach of a major regional city.

The Leap falls under postcode 4740 and is governed by the Mackay Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Dawson, while state elections fall under the Whitsunday electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4740
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mackay
Federal Electorate
Dawson
State Electorate
Whitsunday
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-21.34°, 149.06°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
55.78 km²
Population Density
12 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4740

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4740, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$56,413
Median 2023–24
$68,683
▲ 21.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$84,174

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4740; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular bus services — Mackay CBD Car required; approx. 25–30 min drive

Commute to Mackay CBD

Distance
25 km
By Train
No local rail service; Mackay Station is 25 km away and serves the Spirit of Queensland long-distance service only
By Car (Peak)
25–35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20–25 min

🛣️ Access via Peak Downs Highway (A20); a private vehicle is essential for all daily travel

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

The Leap is a rural farming locality with no local retail or services; all daily needs require a car trip to Mackay

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
664
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
694.6 / 100k
2yr Down 16.1% 10yr Down 34.3%
Motor vehicle theft
316.5 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 42.1%
Non-FV assault
1,256 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 128.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
16.2 / 100k
2yr Down 26.7% 10yr Up 110.6%
Steal from vehicle
716.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Mackay →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Leap known for? +

The Leap is known for its sugar cane farming landscape and its colourful name, which derives from a local legend of a bushranger making a dramatic leap from a hillside to escape capture. The area forms part of the productive agricultural hinterland that has made Mackay one of Australia's leading sugar producing regions.

How far is The Leap from Mackay CBD? +

The Leap is approximately 25 kilometres south-west of the Mackay CBD, a drive of around 25–35 minutes via the Peak Downs Highway.

Does The Leap have public transport? +

The Leap has no regular public transport services. There is no local rail service, and bus connections are extremely limited. A private vehicle is essential for all travel, including access to Mackay for shopping, schooling, and healthcare.

What is the population of The Leap? +

According to the 2021 Census, The Leap had a population of 664 residents spread across its 55.8 square kilometre area, reflecting the dispersed nature of rural properties and farming households in the locality.

Is The Leap a good place to live? +

The Leap suits those who enjoy a genuine rural lifestyle surrounded by cane farming country, with the advantage of being within a reasonable drive of Mackay's full range of city services. It appeals to agricultural workers, hobby farmers, and those seeking space and quiet in tropical Queensland.

What is the postcode for The Leap? +

The postcode for The Leap, Queensland is 4740, which it shares with Mackay and surrounding localities.

Is The Leap a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. The Leap is part of the Mackay 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.