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West Wellesley Islands

QLD 4871 • Queensland

0
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
52.79 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralCoastal
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About West Wellesley Islands

The West Wellesley Islands — also known as the Forsyth Islands — form an uninhabited island group and registered locality in the Gulf of Carpentaria, administered by the Shire of Mornington in far north Queensland. The group lies south-west of the main Wellesley Islands cluster, closer to mainland Australia, and encompasses several distinct islands including Denham Island, Forsyth Island, Ivis Island, Pains Island, and Bayley Island. With a recorded census population of zero, the locality is a protected, largely wilderness area significant to the cultural heritage of Gulf Country First Nations peoples.

The West Wellesley Islands are characterised by remote tropical terrain including tidal flats, mangroves, and sandy coastlines typical of Gulf of Carpentaria island landscapes. Access is by light aircraft or boat only, and the area sees no permanent settlement. The broader Mornington Island and Gulf Country region is rich in Indigenous culture, with the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadilt, and Gangalidda peoples maintaining deep connections to the sea and land throughout the Wellesley Islands.

West Wellesley Islands falls under postcode 4871 and is governed by the Cairns Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Leichhardt, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4871
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.93°, 145.99°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
52.79 km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4871

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4871, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,070
Median 2023–24
$46,529
▲ 22.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$57,771

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4871; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
2100 km
By Train
No train service
By Car (Peak)
Not accessible by road
By Car (Off-Peak)
Not accessible by road

🛣️ Access by light aircraft or boat only; nearest hub is Mornington Island (Gununa)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Uninhabited island group with no infrastructure, roads, or public transport

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
0
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,489.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.8% 10yr Up 19.6%
Motor vehicle theft
602.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.9%
Non-FV assault
2,214 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 207.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
53.6 / 100k
2yr Down 36.0% 10yr Up 49.4%
Steal from vehicle
529.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.5%
View all offence categories for Cairns →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the West Wellesley Islands? +

The West Wellesley Islands (also called the Forsyth Islands) are an uninhabited island group in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, administered by the Shire of Mornington. The group includes Forsyth, Denham, Ivis, Pains, and Bayley Islands.

Do people live on the West Wellesley Islands? +

No. The 2021 census recorded zero permanent residents on the West Wellesley Islands. The locality is an uninhabited wilderness area with no permanent settlement.

How do you get to the West Wellesley Islands? +

The West Wellesley Islands are accessible only by light aircraft or boat. There are no roads or public transport links. The nearest hub is Mornington Island (Gununa).

Is West Wellesley Islands a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. West Wellesley Islands is part of the Cairns 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.