🔍

Yorkeys Knob

QLD 4878 • Rest of QLD

2,794
Population (2021)
$64,168
Median Household Income
11.33 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachTropicalBoatingFamily-Friendly

About Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is a coastal suburb of Cairns in Far North Queensland, situated approximately 16 km north of the Cairns CBD along the Captain Cook Highway. The suburb had a population of 2,794 at the 2021 census and is characterised by its relaxed beachside atmosphere, with the distinctive 60-metre rocky headland (the 'Knob') forming a landmark at Yorkeys Point. The area is predominantly low-lying residential land nestled between the Coral Sea to the east and the wetlands of the surrounding cane fields to the west. Its demographics skew toward permanent residents seeking a quieter lifestyle away from Cairns' tourist centre, alongside a mix of retirees and families.

Yorkeys Knob is best known for its beautiful beach and the calm waters of Half Moon Bay, which is popular for swimming, paddleboarding, and boating. The suburb has a small marina, a boat ramp, and the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, making it a hub for recreational fishing and water sports. Local amenities include a convenience store, café, and primary school, while larger shopping facilities are available at Smithfield shopping centre, a short drive south. The suburb appeals to those seeking an authentic tropical beach lifestyle, and it remains a popular day-trip destination for Cairns residents.

Yorkeys Knob falls under postcode 4878 and is governed by Cairns Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barron River electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4878
Urban Area
Barron
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Leichhardt
State Electorate
Barron River
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-16.83°, 145.71°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
11.33 km²
Elevation
5m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,357
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.1%

20 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 112 — Smithfield Shopping Centre (connection to Cairns City via Route 120) ~20 min to Smithfield, ~45 min to Cairns City
  • 113 — Cairns City direct ~35 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
16 km
By Train
N/A – no rail service to Cairns suburbs
By Bus
~35–45 min via Sunbus route 112/120 or direct 113
By Car (Peak)
~20–25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~15 min

🛣️ Serviced by Sunbus seven days a week. The 112 runs hourly connecting to Smithfield, where passengers transfer to the 120 for Cairns City.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Very walkable within the beachside village centre, but most daily errands require a car or bus to Smithfield for supermarkets and services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains Yorkeys Knob. 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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,759
Census 2021
2,794
▲ 1.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$35,776
Personal Income 2021
$40,612
▲ 13.5% 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
$40,612 / yr
$781/wk
Household
$64,168 / yr
$1234/wk
Family
$85,696 / yr
$1648/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,915
Born Overseas 633

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 168
  • 2. New Zealand 96
  • 3. Scotland 34
  • 4. Philippines 32
  • 5. Papua New Guinea 28
  • 6. Germany 22
  • 7. Canada 16
  • 8. South Africa 16
  • 9. Japan 13
  • 10. South Korea 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,118
Australian 855
Irish 358
Scottish 334
German 161
Australian Aboriginal 120
Italian 78
Dutch 52
French 42
Filipino 40

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,429
Both parents born in Australia
744
Both parents born overseas
375
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.8%
Christianity
36.6%
Buddhism
1.3%
Judaism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
110 (3.9%)
5-14 years
272 (9.7%)
15-19 years
114 (4.1%)
20-24 years
127 (4.5%)
25-34 years
353 (12.6%)
35-44 years
348 (12.5%)
45-54 years
439 (15.7%)
55-64 years
432 (15.5%)
65-74 years
392 (14.0%)
75-84 years
164 (5.9%)
85+ years
40 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yorkeys Knob known for? +

Yorkeys Knob is best known for its beautiful beach and the calm waters of Half Moon Bay, which is popular for swimming, boating, and water sports. The suburb has a marina, a small village centre, and is one of the most laid-back and affordable beachside communities in the Cairns region.

How far is Yorkeys Knob from Cairns CBD? +

Yorkeys Knob is approximately 16 kilometres north of Cairns CBD. The drive via the Captain Cook Highway takes around 20-25 minutes.

Does Yorkeys Knob have public transport? +

Yorkeys Knob is served by Sunbus routes connecting to Cairns city centre. There is no rail service. A private vehicle is strongly recommended for daily life, as services in the suburb itself are limited.

What is the population of Yorkeys Knob? +

According to the 2021 Census, Yorkeys Knob has a population of approximately 2,794 residents. The suburb attracts a mix of permanent residents, retirees, and holiday home owners drawn by the coastal lifestyle.

Is Yorkeys Knob a good place to live? +

Yorkeys Knob is one of the Cairns region's most popular beachside suburbs for those seeking an affordable coastal lifestyle. The beach, marina, and village atmosphere create a relaxed tropical community, though residents need to commute to Cairns for most services.

What is the postcode for Yorkeys Knob? +

The postcode for Yorkeys Knob, Queensland is 4878.

What is the average income in Yorkeys Knob? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Yorkeys Knob is about $781 per week (around $40,600 per year). The median household income is $1,234 per week and the median family income is $1,648 per week.

What is the age profile of Yorkeys Knob? +

The median age in Yorkeys Knob is 46. The largest age group is 45–54 (439 residents, around 16%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Yorkeys Knob a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Yorkeys Knob 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.

How much is rent in Yorkeys Knob? +

In Yorkeys Knob, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,357 (2021 Census).