The suburb consists of two distinct areas: the north-western part which is the mainland (adjacent with suburbs Woree, Bungalow, Parramatta Park and Cairns City) and the south-eastern part which is a pair of islands (Admiralty Island and a smaller unnamed island)[3] bounded to the west by Smiths Creek and to the east by Trinity Inlet.

The mainland part is developed land while the islands are undeveloped.

The entire suburb is flat low-lying land, less than 10 metres above sea level.

[4]The mainland part is principally used for industrial purposes with those nearest Smiths Creek being used for maritime purposes such as boat building, shipping services, trawlers and fish markets.

[10][11] It has a training ship in addition to a number of simulators, engineering workshops, and an immersion pool.