🔍

Upper Barron

QLD 4883 • Queensland

503
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
104.36 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralMountainHinterlandAgriculturalRemote
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About Upper Barron

Upper Barron is a rural locality on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, situated approximately 5.8 kilometres west-south-west of Malanda and around 81 kilometres south-west of Cairns, within the Tablelands Regional Council local government area. The locality covers a substantial 104 square kilometres but is sparsely settled, with just 503 residents recorded at the 2021 Census — a density of fewer than five people per square kilometre. Perched at elevations ranging from 710 to 1,250 metres above sea level, Upper Barron enjoys the cool, moist highland climate that distinguishes the Atherton Tablelands from the tropical lowlands below.

Agriculture is the backbone of Upper Barron, with the tablelands' fertile volcanic soils and reliable rainfall supporting dairy farming, cattle grazing, and mixed cropping — industries that have sustained the community for generations. The locality is surrounded by the lush rainforest, rolling green pastures, and deep river gorges characteristic of the Atherton Tablelands, with the Barron River and nearby national parks providing opportunities for fishing, bushwalking, and wildlife spotting. Day-to-day services are found in Malanda and Atherton, both accessible within a short drive, while Cairns offers the nearest airport and full range of urban amenities.

Upper Barron falls under postcode 4883 and is governed by the Tablelands 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
4883
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Tablelands
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.33°, 145.48°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
104.36 km²
Population Density
5 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4883

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4883, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$40,685
Median 2023–24
$49,177
▲ 20.9% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$58,491

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4883; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Tablelands transit services — Malanda and Atherton 10 min to Malanda, 25 min to Atherton

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
81 km
By Train
No train service to Upper Barron; Cairns has rail connections south
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 15 min – 1 hr 30 min (via Gillies Highway or Palmerston Highway)
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr – 1 hr 15 min

🛣️ Upper Barron is a rural tablelands locality; Malanda (6 km) and Atherton (20 km) are the nearest service towns. Cairns is the regional city approximately 81 km north.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Upper Barron is a sparsely settled rural locality with no local retail or services; a car is essential for all daily needs.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
503
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Tablelands Local Government Area, which contains Upper Barron. 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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Upper Barron known for? +

Upper Barron is known for its dairy farming and agricultural heritage on the Atherton Tablelands, set amid lush rainforest, rolling green hills, and highland scenery. The locality sits at elevations between 710 and 1,250 metres, giving it a cool, misty climate quite unlike the tropical coast below.

How far is Upper Barron from Cairns? +

Upper Barron is approximately 81 kilometres south-west of Cairns, typically a 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minute drive via the Gillies or Palmerston Highway, depending on the route taken. Malanda, the nearest town, is just 5.8 kilometres away.

Does Upper Barron have public transport? +

Public transport in Upper Barron is extremely limited. There is no passenger rail on the Atherton Tablelands, and the nearest train services are in Cairns. Limited local transit connects the tablelands towns, but a private vehicle is essential for everyday life in Upper Barron.

What is the population of Upper Barron? +

Upper Barron had a population of 503 at the 2021 Census, spread across 165 dwellings in a locality of over 104 square kilometres — giving it a very low population density of under 5 people per square kilometre.

Is Upper Barron a good place to live? +

Upper Barron suits those drawn to rural farming life on the Atherton Tablelands, offering fresh highland air, beautiful rainforest and pastoral scenery, and a tight-knit agricultural community. It is best suited to people comfortable with limited local services and a reliance on Malanda or Atherton for everyday needs.

What is the postcode for Upper Barron? +

The postcode for Upper Barron, Queensland is 4883, which it shares with Malanda and surrounding tablelands localities.

Is Upper Barron a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Upper Barron 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.