AUSTRALIA's sole king rules a rich, fertile land of 158 sq km bounded by turquoise seas and white sand beaches dotted with palm trees. Honouring the past, embracing the future, he's a very 21st century king.

Yarrabah's first monarch for almost 20 years has identified cultural awareness, respect for elders and tackling illegal poaching as his priorities, alongside a plan to boost tourist numbers.

King Vincent Jabaan Shreiber of the Gunggandj tribe of the Guru-Gulu clan is the fifth generation of his family to hold the traditional title, yet he remains resolutely a man of the people, the Cairns Post reports.

He has no interest in pomp and circumstance, courtiers or servants. Instead, he tours his kingdom by Holden ute each day while working as Water & Waste manager for Yarrabah Shire Council.

Hundreds of community members attended King Jabaan's coronation ceremony, which began at the exact spot his ancestor Minminiy first encountered a white man in 1891. Yarrabah's regal line was officially recognised by the Anglican church when Minminiy became king in 1899.

The Aboriginal community is the only one in Australia still to carry on the tradition.

Born in Gordonvale in 1965 after his mother went into labour while working in a nearby cane field, King Jabaan succeeds the last king, his late father Vincent, who died in 1992.

Jabaan was officially crowned king inside Yarrabah's packed St Albans Church last Saturday after a traditional procession featuring smoking ceremonies, guards of honour and a ceremonial corroboree. Australia's first Aboriginal bishop, Bishop Arthur Malcolm, conducted the service with the assistance of Bishop Bill Rays, bishop of the Anglican Church North Queensland.

"It sent shivers down my spine even though it was hot," King Jabaan said.

Read the full story and see more pictures at The Cairns Post.