Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Population
Holloways Beach is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
As of May 2026, the estimated population of Holloways Beach is around 2,389 people, reflecting a decrease of 9 individuals since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,398. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,385 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional validated new address since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 426 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 75.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.
For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas is expected by 2041, with Holloways Beach expected to gain 179 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 7.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Holloways Beach is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
Holloways Beach has seen minimal development activity over the past five years, with an average of less than one approval per year, totalling two in total. This low level of development is typical of rural areas where housing demand is modest and construction activity is constrained by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that with such low approval numbers, yearly growth figures and relativities can fluctuate significantly based on individual projects.
Holloways Beach has considerably lower development levels compared to the rest of Queensland. This level of activity also falls below national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Holloways Beach
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Holloways Beach has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could affect this region. Notable initiatives include Navigation Drive Road Link, Cairns Airport International Terminal Upgrade, Bluewater Living, and Cairns Ring Road. The following details these projects in order of likely importance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Cairns Smart Green Economy Initiative
A multi-stage strategic initiative by Cairns Regional Council to position Cairns and Far North Queensland as a leader in the Smart Green Economy. The three core pillars are Net Zero Energy Systems, Circular Economy, and Biodiversity and Carbon Markets. The flagship sub-project, the $472 million Cairns Water Security Stage 1 (CWSS1), reached 50 percent construction completion in September 2025 and is on track for mid-2026 delivery. Jointly funded by the Australian Government ($195 million), Queensland Government ($195 million) and Council, CWSS1 is being constructed by John Holland Queensland and will deliver 60 megalitres of treated water per day. Other active initiatives include renewable energy transitions for council facilities, EV charging infrastructure, circular economy activations, and carbon and biodiversity market development across the FNQ region.
Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy
The Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy is a long-term plan adopted by Cairns Regional Council in September 2025 to manage the region's growth over the next 25 years. It identifies the need for over 33,000 new dwellings and infrastructure to support an additional 72,000 residents while protecting the local tropical environment and heritage.
Wangetti Trail
The Wangetti Trail is a 59.1 million dollar Queensland Government ecotourism project delivering a 94km dual-use walking and mountain biking track between Palm Cove and Port Douglas. The route traverses the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, three national parks (Macalister Range, Mowbray and Wangetti), and Djabugay Nation country. Stage 1, the 7.8km Palm Cove to Ellis Beach section, opened in September 2024 and features 17 bridges and water crossings constructed with helicopter-airlifted materials. The historic Twin Bridges Track between Wangetti and Port Douglas was reopened in late 2025 by the Crisafulli Government. Construction on the next 25km Ellis Beach to Wangetti link (Wangetti Trail South) is scheduled to commence in early 2026, after the wet season. Subsequent stages include the 54km Wangetti to Mowbray River section and a final 7km Mowbray North to Port Douglas link. The full trail is now expected to be operational in 2028, subject to weather and approvals. The project is co-designed with Traditional Owners and includes public camping, eco-accommodation nodes, and is forecast to inject up to 390 million dollars into the regional economy and create more than 150 jobs.
Smart water meter program 2023-2026
Cairns Regional Council is replacing existing mechanical water meters with over 50,000 smart water meters across the region. This initiative, part of the Water Demand Management Strategy, aims to improve water security, enable early leak detection, and provide residents with real-time usage data via a new customer portal. The rollout is scheduled for completion by July 2026.
Cairns Reservoirs Remediation Package 2
Remediation works are underway across nine Cairns Regional Council reservoirs at eight sites: Mayer Street, Panguna, Bayview Large, Barron View, Runnymede, Brinsmead, Dempsey Street A and B, and Crest Close. The program includes concrete rehabilitation and strengthening, internal protective coatings, steel roof replacements at two reservoirs, access upgrades, minor civil works, access road repairs and temporary water supply works to improve water quality, reliability and security. Council reported in October 2025 that safety assessments, geotechnical surveys and structural testing had been completed, with repair and cleaning works progressing.
Cairns Western Arterial Road, Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway, duplication
The Queensland Government is planning a $300 million duplication of Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway, converting the corridor to a four-lane carriageway to improve safety, capacity, traffic flow, travel times and active transport. TMR lists the project status as detailed design, with Section 1 preparation works between Lake Placid Road and Captain Cook Highway started in August 2024 and expected to finish in early 2026, while the Queensland Government works to secure construction funding for future stages.
CairnsPlan 2016
CairnsPlan 2016 is Cairns Regional Council's statutory planning scheme for the future development and sustainable growth of the Cairns region. Version 3.1 - the current operative version - was adopted by Cairns Regional Council on 13 July 2022 and commenced 2 August 2022. The scheme sets out the framework for managing development over a 20-year horizon through zones, local plans, overlays and development codes, aligned with state and regional planning policies.
Cairns Transit Network
A long-term vision for a new dedicated bus transit network for Cairns, connecting the city from Palm Cove to Gordonvale via three public transport spines. Buses will be given priority through dedicated bus lanes or bus-only roads separated from general traffic, making public transport faster, more frequent and reliable. The network will link all major centres including the Northern Beaches, Smithfield, the airport, Earlville, Edmonton, Gordonvale and the CBD. A concept design report was released in 2010 and construction will proceed in stages as funding becomes available. The related Cairns Transport Study, with community engagement completed in early 2024, is developing a broader transport strategy to inform future investment.
Employment
Holloways Beach shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia
Holloways Beach has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.2%, as aggregated by AreaSearch from statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,339 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.2% higher than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.
Workforce participation is similar to Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, 13.9% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Dominant employment sectors among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.7% compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.4%, employment by 4.5%, leading to a 2.1 percentage point unemployment rate rise. In contrast, Regional Qld saw employment grow by 0.7% and unemployment rise by 0.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Holloways Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes without considering localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Holloways Beach had a median income among taxpayers of $51,703 with an average level standing at $62,297. This is lower than national averages and compares to levels of $53,146 and $66,593 across Regional Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated median income would be approximately $57,576 by March 2026 with average income at around $69,374 during the same period. According to the 2021 Census figures, personal income ranks at the 47th percentile ($788 weekly) while household income sits at the 23rd percentile. Income brackets indicate that 30.2% of locals (721 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, mirroring the regional trend where 31.7% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 83.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 23rd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Holloways Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
The dwelling structure in Holloways Beach, as per the latest Census, consisted of 63.0% houses and 37.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Regional Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Holloways Beach was at 28.6%, with the rest either mortgaged (34.4%) or rented (36.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent was $305, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Holloways Beach's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,400 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Holloways Beach features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 56.9 percent of all households, including 17.6 percent couples with children, 23.9 percent couples without children, and 14.4 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 43.1 percent, with lone person households at 36.8 percent and group households making up 6.2 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Holloways Beach demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics
Educational qualifications in Holloways Beach trail regional benchmarks, with 24.0% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to the national average of 30.4%. This gap highlights potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (30.0%).
Educational participation is notably high, with 29.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 4.1% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Holloways Beach has seven operational public transport stops, offering mixed bus services. These stops are served by two distinct routes, facilitating 226 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents situated an average of 255 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most Holloways Beach residents commute outward, with cars being the primary mode at 93%. The area has a vehicle ownership rate of 1.3 per dwelling, lower than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 13.9% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.
Service frequency stands at an average of 32 trips per day across all routes, translating to around 32 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Holloways Beach's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts
Holloways Beach's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks.
AreaSearch assessed mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence as standard for both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 52% of the total population (~1,239 people). The most common medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 9.6% of residents and arthritis impacting 8.6%. 67.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 21.5% of residents aged 65 and over (513 people), higher than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
In terms of cultural diversity, Holloways Beach records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Holloways Beach had a higher than average cultural diversity, with 9.6% speaking a language other than English at home and 26.1% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 40.0%. Judaism was slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 0.1%.
The top three ancestry groups were English at 28.2%, Australian at 21.6%, and Irish at 10.5%. Notably, Dutch (2.2% vs regional 1.1%), Scottish (9.4% vs 7.8%), and French (0.7% vs 0.5%) were overrepresented in Holloways Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Holloways Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Holloways Beach's median age is 46 years, which is significantly higher than Regional Qld's 41 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, Holloways Beach has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (17.0%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.5%). This 55-64 concentration is well above the national figure of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 4.1% to 6.4%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 12.7% to 14.0%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has declined from 10.2% to 8.5%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 17.2% to 15.7%. By 2041, Holloways Beach is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 22%, reaching 332 people from the current 272. However, the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.