Flood Risk in Gordonvale, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Gordonvale, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Gordonvale is located near the Mulgrave River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.Updated 17 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.5/10

Gordonvale is located near the Mulgrave River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Gordonvale is located near the Mulgrave River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Gordonvale, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4865
Highest high-risk exposure
13.1% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Gordonvale, located in Queensland, has a notable flood risk profile based on available data including proximity to waterways, elevation, and historical flood events. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) maintains river height and flood warning data for catchments across Queensland.

Historical flood data indicates that properties close to the river are at higher risk.

Gordonvale is located near the Mulgrave River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall events. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.

For a comprehensive property-specific flood assessment including address-level elevation data, flood overlay mapping, and insurance cost estimates, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool. General suburb data cannot replace a site-specific evaluation.

Gordonvale sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 8.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 63.7% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Gordonvale.

Gordonvale (postcode 4865) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (13.1% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (9.9% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (8.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Gordonvale — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Nearest WaterwayMulgrave River
Elevation Range10-30 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas near the Mulgrave River are designated as flood zones.

Historical Events

2023
Major

Record rainfall led to widespread flooding in Gordonvale, causing significant damage to property and infrastructure.

2019
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Mulgrave River to flood, impacting low-lying areas of Gordonvale.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Immediate

Invest in infrastructure to protect properties from flooding, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Implement Heat Action Plan

Near-term

Develop a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and community outreach programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Risk Mitigation

Near-term

Implement measures to reduce bushfire risk, such as controlled burns and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Community Awareness Programs

Long-term

Educate residents about climate risks and how to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Cairns Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 17 March 2026

Explore Gordonvale Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gordonvale at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Gordonvale has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address — check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Gordonvale?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Gordonvale depend on the property's flood zone classification, elevation, and proximity to waterways. ClimateNest provides address-level insurance cost estimates based on your property's specific hazard exposure.

Does flood risk affect property values in Gordonvale?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Gordonvale. Properties in mapped flood zones may experience lower buyer demand, reduced valuations, and higher insurance costs. Lenders increasingly assess flood exposure as part of mortgage risk evaluation.

How does elevation affect flood risk in Gordonvale?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Gordonvale typically have lower flood exposure than those near waterways or in low-lying areas. Address-level elevation data combined with BOM flood mapping provides the most accurate picture.

What share of Gordonvale is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 13.1% of Gordonvale in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 78.9% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Gordonvale Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Gordonvale, Queensland, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections