Cairns - Southern Hinterlands vs Yarrabah

Cairns - Southern Hinterlands and Yarrabah are two nearby Queensland areas with very different First Nations profiles. In Yarrabah, 79.7% of people speak a First Nations language and the First Nations population is far larger, with 2,402 people compared to 428 in Cairns - Southern Hinterlands. There are also stark gaps in employment and education; the First Nations unemployment rate is far higher in Yarrabah at 38.4%, while First Nations Year 12 completion is well higher in Cairns - Southern Hinterlands at 35.9%.

While First Nations personal incomes are well higher in Cairns - Southern Hinterlands, the gap between the two areas is widening in some areas of daily life. Both are car-dependent and have no homes within a 10 minute walk of public transport. However, accessibility varies: Yarrabah has far more homes within a 15 minute walk of a school, while Cairns - Southern Hinterlands is far higher for walks to groceries and health services.