📮 Yorkeys Knob postcode: 4878

Is Yorkeys Knob, QLD Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Yorkeys Knob, Queensland· Cairns· 4878
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 10 Mar 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.8/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Yorkeys Knob is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Heavy rainfall events can lead to stormwater and riverine flooding.
Bushfire
Bushfire risk is relatively low in Yorkeys Knob due to the limited presence of dense vegetation in close proximity to residential areas. However, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the risk.
Heat
Yorkeys Knob experiences high temperatures and humidity during the summer months, increasing the risk of heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Storm
Notable storm risk — tropical cyclones and severe thunderstorms in summer months
Postcode
4878
Highest high-risk exposure
14% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Yorkeys Knob in Queensland has an overall climate safety rating of Medium. This multi-hazard assessment combines flood, bushfire, heat, coastal, and storm risk data with climate projections to 2050 from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Key factors affecting Yorkeys Knob's climate safety include heat, flood, coastal. Each hazard is assessed independently and combined for an overall picture. Australia has warmed by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with flow-on effects to fire weather, extreme rainfall, and heatwave frequency.

Climate safety for property in Yorkeys Knob is not uniform — it varies by address. Factors such as elevation, distance to waterways, proximity to bushland, and local drainage all influence actual risk at a specific property. Two nearby properties can have materially different risk profiles.

For a complete property-specific climate safety report for Yorkeys Knob including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Yorkeys Knob (postcode 4878) 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 (14% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (12.4% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (10.6% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Yorkeys Knob — 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

Distance to Bushland1-2km
BAL OverlayQFES Bushfire Prone Area Map
Nearest WaterwayBarron River
Flood ZoneCoastal and Riverine
Avg January Max31.5 °C

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Yorkeys Knob, inundating some properties and disrupting traffic.

2018
Minor

A severe thunderstorm brought strong winds and heavy rain to Yorkeys Knob, causing minor damage to trees and powerlines.

2011
Major

Widespread flooding across Queensland impacted Yorkeys Knob, with many homes and businesses affected.

2005
Moderate

A storm surge caused coastal erosion and inundation in Yorkeys Knob, damaging beachfront properties.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Improve stormwater drainage systems to reduce the risk of flash flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: Medium

Protect Coastal Ecosystems

Near-term

Restore and protect mangrove forests and dunes to provide natural buffers against coastal erosion and storm surges.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop a Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Raise Awareness of Climate Risks

Long-term

Educate residents about the risks of climate change and provide guidance on how to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Building Codes

Near-term

Update building codes to ensure that new construction is resilient to flooding, coastal inundation, and extreme heat.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Cairns Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 10 March 2026

Explore Yorkeys Knob Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yorkeys Knob safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Yorkeys Knob has an overall Medium climate risk rating. Understanding the specific hazards at your property address — not just the suburb average — provides the most reliable risk picture.

Which climate hazard poses the biggest risk in Yorkeys Knob?

The dominant hazard for Yorkeys Knob depends on geography and local environment. Proximity to waterways elevates flood risk, while proximity to bushland increases bushfire risk. ClimateNest's multi-hazard analysis identifies the highest-risk hazards for any specific address.

How does Yorkeys Knob compare to nearby suburbs for climate safety?

Nearby suburbs may have different climate risk profiles depending on elevation, vegetation cover, drainage patterns, and land use. ClimateNest allows comparison of climate safety scores across Queensland suburbs.

Should I be concerned about buying property in Yorkeys Knob?

Climate risk should be one factor in your decision, alongside price, location, and amenity. An informed buyer understands the specific risks at a property address and factors insurance costs and climate projections into their assessment of long-term value.

What climate projections should I know for Yorkeys Knob?

Key projections for Queensland from CSIRO include increased average temperatures, more frequent hot days, changes in rainfall seasonality, longer fire seasons, and potential increases in extreme rainfall intensity. These trends inform the long-term outlook for Yorkeys Knob.

What share of Yorkeys Knob is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14% of Yorkeys Knob in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 58.7% 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 Yorkeys Knob Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Yorkeys Knob, 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