🔍

Wonga Beach

QLD 4873 • Rest of QLD

1,042
Population (2021)
$49,608
Median Household Income
9.04 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRuralRemoteRetiree-Haven

About Wonga Beach

Wonga Beach is a coastal locality in Far North Queensland, situated approximately 94 kilometres north-north-west of Cairns within the Shire of Douglas local government area. The locality stretches along the Coral Sea coastline and covers around 9 square kilometres at a low elevation of approximately 15 metres, recording a population of 1,042 at the 2021 Census. With a median age of 49 and a median household income of $954 per week — well below the national average — the area reflects the character of a remote coastal community popular with retirees and lifestyle seekers. Wonga Beach has a notable Indigenous population, with around 13 per cent of residents identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

The suburb's great appeal lies in its spectacular natural setting: positioned between the Daintree rainforest and the Coral Sea, Wonga Beach offers direct beach access, tropical weather year-round, and proximity to some of Australia's most iconic natural attractions, including the Daintree National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Area) and the Great Barrier Reef. The locality has a primary school and limited local services, with Mossman (approximately 19 kilometres south) providing the nearest supermarket and medical centre. Port Douglas is about 30 kilometres south and offers a broader range of shops, restaurants, and tourist infrastructure. Life here is slow-paced and strongly connected to the natural environment, attracting those who trade urban convenience for an extraordinary tropical lifestyle.

Wonga Beach falls under postcode 4873 and is governed by Douglas Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4873
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Douglas
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Cook
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.34°, 145.41°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
9.04 km²
Elevation
15m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
49 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • TransNorth regional coach — Cairns via Mossman and Port Douglas ~2 hours to Cairns

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
94 km
By Train
No rail service
By Car (Peak)
65-80 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ Captain Cook Highway is the main route to Cairns; a car is essential for all daily needs in this remote coastal locality

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Wonga Beach is a remote coastal locality with minimal local services; a car is essential for virtually all daily needs including groceries

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
991.2 / 100k
2yr Down 32.4% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
232.8 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 100.7%
Non-FV assault
1,652 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 165.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
285.3 / 100k
2yr Up 30.7% 10yr Down 43.5%
View all offence categories for Douglas →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
975
Census 2021
1,042
▲ 6.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,340
Personal Income 2021
$29,744
▲ 5.0% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

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

Personal
$29,744 / yr
$572/wk
Household
$49,608 / yr
$954/wk
Family
$66,092 / yr
$1271/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 790
Born Overseas 137

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 33
  • 2. New Zealand 28
  • 3. Germany 11
  • 4. Netherlands 10
  • 5. Philippines 7
  • 6. Papua New Guinea 6
  • 7. Poland 6
  • 8. Singapore 6
  • 9. Canada 5
  • 10. Scotland 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 399
Australian 354
Irish 116
Australian Aboriginal 115
Scottish 99
German 64
Italian 33
Dutch 16
Polish 14
New Zealander 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

652
Both parents born in Australia
170
Both parents born overseas
104
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.2%
Christianity
40.2%
Buddhism
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
65 (6.2%)
5-14 years
148 (14.2%)
15-19 years
49 (4.7%)
20-24 years
27 (2.6%)
25-34 years
89 (8.5%)
35-44 years
89 (8.5%)
45-54 years
145 (13.9%)
55-64 years
168 (16.1%)
65-74 years
183 (17.6%)
75-84 years
69 (6.6%)
85+ years
11 (1.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wonga Beach known for? +

Wonga Beach is known for its spectacular tropical coastal setting, with direct beach access to the Coral Sea and close proximity to the Daintree rainforest — a UNESCO World Heritage Area. It is a quiet, remote locality that attracts lifestyle seekers and retirees drawn to its natural beauty.

How far is Wonga Beach from Cairns? +

Wonga Beach is approximately 94 kilometres north-north-west of Cairns. The drive along the Captain Cook Highway typically takes 60–80 minutes depending on conditions.

Does Wonga Beach have public transport? +

Public transport is very limited. There is no rail service in the Douglas Shire region. TransNorth operates regional coach services connecting the area to Mossman and Cairns, but a car is essential for practical day-to-day living in this remote locality.

What is the population of Wonga Beach? +

Wonga Beach had a population of 1,042 at the 2021 Census. The community includes a notable proportion of Indigenous residents, with approximately 13 per cent identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Is Wonga Beach a good place to live? +

Wonga Beach offers an extraordinary natural lifestyle for those who embrace remoteness — tropical weather, coral sea beachfront, and the world's oldest rainforest nearby. It suits retirees and lifestyle seekers rather than those who need urban services, as Mossman (19km) and Port Douglas (30km) are the nearest towns with shops and medical facilities.

What is the postcode for Wonga Beach? +

The postcode for Wonga Beach is 4873, which it shares with other localities in the Douglas Shire including Mossman and Cape Tribulation.

What is the average income in Wonga Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Wonga Beach is about $572 per week (around $29,700 per year). The median household income is $954 per week and the median family income is $1,271 per week.

What is the age profile of Wonga Beach? +

The median age in Wonga Beach is 49. The largest age group is 65–74 (183 residents, around 18%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Wonga Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Wonga Beach is part of the Douglas 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.

How much is rent in Wonga Beach? +

In Wonga Beach, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).