Silkwood
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Silkwood, QLD 4856.
About Silkwood
Welcome to Silkwood
Silkwood is a small rural township in Far North Queensland, sitting in the fertile Cassowary Coast region south of Innisfail. Surrounded by cane fields and tropical greenery, it offers a quiet, community-focused way of life that appeals to families, retirees and those looking to escape the pace of city living without sacrificing a sense of neighbourhood.
The town has a distinctly unhurried character — the kind of place where people know their neighbours and local school events fill the calendar. Its proximity to neighbouring localities like Walter Lever Estate and Mccutcheon reinforces a close-knit pocket of the broader Cassowary Coast community, where the landscape is as much a part of daily life as anything else.
Lifestyle & community
Life in Silkwood moves at its own pace, shaped largely by the rhythms of the surrounding agricultural land. The sugarcane industry has historically defined the area's identity, and that working-town spirit is still very much present. Residents tend to be deeply rooted in the community, and local events, school fundraisers and sporting fixtures are the social glue that holds the town together.
For those drawn to tropical North Queensland's outdoors, the wider Cassowary Coast region offers access to world-heritage rainforest, waterfalls and coastline within a reasonable drive. Day-to-day amenities are modest within Silkwood itself, with Innisfail to the north serving as the main centre for larger shopping, dining and services.
Schools & families
Families with children are well served at the primary level, with both Silkwood State School and St John's School located in or close to the suburb. Having two schooling options — one state and one with a faith-based ethos — gives local parents a genuine choice without needing to travel far, which is a notable advantage for a town of this size.
The presence of these schools also anchors a family demographic in the suburb. Young children can walk or cycle to class, and the schools themselves tend to be active community hubs where parents and staff know each other well. For secondary schooling, families generally look to Innisfail, which has established high school options.
Housing & architecture
The built environment in Silkwood is characteristically North Queensland — predominantly freestanding homes, many of them traditional Queensland timber and chamferboard houses elevated on stumps to catch the breeze and manage the tropical climate. Newer builds sit alongside older homes, giving streets a relaxed, unpolished character that suits the town's personality.
Current listings reflect a dwelling mix of 86% houses and 14% land, meaning there is a modest but real opportunity for buyers to build new on vacant blocks. That mix of established homes and raw land suits both those wanting to move straight in and those with a longer-term plan to build to their own specifications.
The property market
Silkwood represents one of the more affordable entry points into Queensland property ownership, attracting buyers who want a full house on a generous block without the price pressures of coastal or metropolitan markets. The overwhelming majority of current listings are houses, which means buyers have real choice when it comes to existing dwellings, while the 14% land component gives the market a degree of flexibility for new construction.
The suburb draws interest from first-home buyers, tree-changers and investors looking at the Cassowary Coast's longer-term appeal. With neighbouring suburbs Walter Lever Estate and Mccutcheon forming part of the same close rural pocket, buyers sometimes consider the wider micro-region when weighing up their options.
Getting around
Silkwood sits along the Bruce Highway corridor, which is the main artery connecting the Cassowary Coast to Cairns in the north and Townsville to the south. Access by road is straightforward, and most residents rely on private vehicles for daily travel — this is rural Queensland, and car ownership is essentially a necessity.
Innisfail is the nearest significant regional centre and provides access to a wider range of services, supermarkets, medical facilities and transport connections. The Bruce Highway makes the commute manageable for those who work in Innisfail while preferring the quieter lifestyle that Silkwood and its surroundings offer.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Silkwood, QLD 4856.
Population
407
residents (2021)
Median age
44
years
Household income
$1,117
median, per week
Median rent
$270
per week
Median mortgage
$1,083
per month
Mortgage / income
22%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Silkwood
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Silkwood
$380k
40 Victoria Street
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Silkwood
Compare the area
Price map around Silkwood
Every listing for sale near Silkwood, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Silkwood suburb FAQ
Is Silkwood a good place to live?
Silkwood is a rural town and locality in the Cassowary Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. Silkwood is an established residential suburb in QLD, with a population of around 407 and 2 schools in the area.
What is the population of Silkwood?
Silkwood has a population of 407 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 44.
What schools are in Silkwood?
There are 2 schools in or near Silkwood, including Silkwood State School and St John's School.
What suburbs are near Silkwood?
Suburbs near Silkwood include Walter Lever Estate and Mccutcheon.
Available now