🔍

Wellesley Islands

QLD 4892 • Rest of QLD

1,022
Population (2021)
$44,460
Median Household Income
1027.60 km²
Area
$104/wk
Median Rent
RemoteIndigenous CommunityIslandCultural HeritageGulf Country

About Wellesley Islands

The Wellesley Islands is a remote locality in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Far North Queensland, encompassing a group of over 20 islands within the Mornington Shire. With a population of 1,022 at the 2021 census, the community is predominantly located on Mornington Island in the township of Gununa. The islands are the traditional homeland of the Lardil, Kaiadilt, and Yangkaal Aboriginal peoples, who have inhabited this region for thousands of years.

Life on the Wellesley Islands is deeply connected to Aboriginal culture, with the community maintaining strong cultural traditions including fishing, art, and ceremony. Essential services including a school, health clinic, and council offices are located in Gununa. Access is primarily by air via Mornington Island Airport, with limited barge services for freight. The islands offer a unique and remote lifestyle centred around community and Country.

Wellesley Islands falls under postcode 4892 and is governed by Mornington Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Traeger electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4892
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mornington
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.51°, 139.48°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1027.60 km²
Elevation
6m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Mount Isa

Distance
600 km

🛣️ Access by air only — regular flights from Mornington Island Airport to Mount Isa and Cairns. Barge services for freight.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The small township of Gununa is walkable for daily needs, with the school, health clinic, and store within walking distance. No formal public transport exists on the island.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
3,287.5 / 100k
2yr Down 82.9% 10yr Up 15.7%
Motor vehicle theft
1,552.4 / 100k
2yr Down 35.6% 10yr Down 53.5%
Non-FV assault
43,376.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 273.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
639.2 / 100k
2yr Up 37.9% 10yr Down 30.4%
View all offence categories for Mornington →

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$104
Avg Household Size
3.5 people
Median Age
29 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
80.3%

171 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,136
Census 2021
1,022
▼ 10% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$18,304
Personal Income 2021
$14,716
▼ 19.6% decrease

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$14,716 / yr
$283/wk
Household
$44,460 / yr
$855/wk
Family
$32,448 / yr
$624/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 891
Born Overseas 28

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 8
  • 2. England 4
  • 3. Fiji 4
  • 4. Papua New Guinea 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian Aboriginal 785
English 63
Australian 43
Irish 22
Scottish 20
Maori 11
Chinese 7
Indian 7
German 5
Dutch 4

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

847
Both parents born in Australia
33
Both parents born overseas
34
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
43.2%
Christianity
23.1%
Buddhism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
62 (6.1%)
5-14 years
183 (17.9%)
15-19 years
105 (10.3%)
20-24 years
87 (8.5%)
25-34 years
145 (14.2%)
35-44 years
155 (15.2%)
45-54 years
126 (12.3%)
55-64 years
91 (8.9%)
65-74 years
36 (3.5%)
75-84 years
24 (2.3%)
85+ years
0 (0.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Wellesley Islands known for? +

The Wellesley Islands are known for their remote location in the Gulf of Carpentaria and their strong Aboriginal cultural heritage, particularly the Lardil and Yangkaal peoples of Mornington Island (Gununa). The islands are one of the most isolated communities in Australia.

How far are the Wellesley Islands from the mainland? +

Mornington Island, the largest of the Wellesley Islands group, lies approximately 100 kilometres off the Queensland coast in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Access is by light aircraft from Mount Isa or Cairns, or by boat.

Do the Wellesley Islands have public transport? +

There is no public road access to the Wellesley Islands. Air services connect Mornington Island (Gununa) to mainland Queensland via regular chartered and scheduled flights. A barge services the island for supplies.

What is the population of the Wellesley Islands? +

According to the 2021 Census, the Wellesley Islands locality has a population of approximately 1,022 residents, primarily the Aboriginal community of Gununa on Mornington Island.

Is the Wellesley Islands a good place to live? +

The Wellesley Islands offer a deeply unique lifestyle connected to Aboriginal culture, sea country, and the remote Gulf of Carpentaria environment. Access to services is limited, and the community is largely self-sufficient with government-supported facilities.

What is the postcode for the Wellesley Islands? +

The postcode for the Wellesley Islands, Queensland is 4892.