Balgal Beach is a coastal suburb and a beach in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.[3][4] The town of Balgal is within the locality.[5] In the 2021 census, Balgal Beach had a population of 998 people.[6]
| Balgal Beach Townsville, Queensland | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Balgal Beach | |||||||||||||||
  Balgal Beach | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 19°02′38″S 146°24′42″E / 19.0438°S 146.4116°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 998 (SAL 2021)[1][2] | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4816 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 12.6 km2 (4.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Townsville | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Hinchinbrook | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Kennedy | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Geography edit
Balgal Beach is 59 kilometres (37 mi) north of Townsville, Queensland, Australia, and 64 kilometres (40 mi) south of Ingham, Queensland.
The locality is bounded to the north-east and east by the Coral Sea and to the north-west and west by Rollingstone Creek, which flows into the Coral Sea at the northernmost point of the locality, where the town of Balgal is located (19°00′51″S 146°24′25″E / 19.0142°S 146.4069°E).[7]
The coastal strip features a long sandy beach, also known as Balgal Beach.[8]
The North Coast railway line forms part of the south-western boundary of the locality. Although the Bruce Highway does not enter the locality, it is adjacent to the south-west boundary of the locality where it has its junction with Balgal Beach Drive (the major thoroughfare in the locality extending to the town of Balgal).[7]
History edit
Balgal Beach was originally part of the Armidale pastoral lease, settled in 1883 by John Lambert before later changing name to Rollingstone.[9] The area of coastline to the north of Rollingstone was named Balgal Beach in 1947, when the first dwellings were constructed. The name "Balgal" was derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "stone."[5]
The land in this area was predominantly used for farming and grazing, and remained rural until the mid-1980s when the allocation of 500 rural/residential blocks at the Mystic Sands Estate saw the population increase nearly twofold.[10]
Demographics edit
In the 2006 census, the population of Balgal Beach was 743, a 30.3% increase since the 1996 census.[13]
In the 2011 census, the population of Balgal Beach was 849.[14]
In the 2016 census, Balgal Beach had a population of 966 people.[15]
In the 2021 census, Balgal Beach had a population of 998 people.[6]
Education edit
There are no schools in Balgal Beach. The nearest government primary school is Rollingstone State School in neighbouring Rollingstone to the west. The nearest government secondary school is Northern Beaches State High School in Deeragun to the south-east.[7]
Amenities edit
Located a few kilometres north of the suburb of Rollingstone, Balgal Beach today is a popular destination for recreational activities such as boating, fishing and swimming. Facilities at Balgal Beach include a patrolled stinger enclosure from November to May, a general store/cafe, holiday units and designated camping areas.[16]
Mystic Sands Golf Resort is at 139 Mystic Ave (19°02′36″S 146°25′16″E / 19.0432°S 146.4210°E).[11][12] It offers a 9-hole golf course with 18 tees, lawn bowls, swimming pool, tennis courts, an RV camp, restaurant and bar.[17]
There is a boat ramp and pontoon at the northern end of the Esplanade on the south bank of the mouth of Rollingstone Creek (19°00′36″S 146°24′17″E / 19.0100°S 146.4047°E). It is managed by the Townsville City Council.[18] It provides access to Palm Island and Orpheus Island National Park.[16]
References edit
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Balgal Beach (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Balgal Beach (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021.
- ^ "Balgal Beach – suburb in Townsville City (entry 49829)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ "Balgal Beach – beach in Townsville City (entry 44526)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Balgal – town in Townsville City (entry 1356)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Balgal Beach (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Balgal Beach – beach in the City of Townsville (entry 44526)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ Roads Out Of Townsville, North Queensland Archived 14 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 1 November 2010.
- ^ Balgal Beach Archived 18 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 1 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Building points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Mystic Sands Golf Resort - North Queensland". Mystic Sands Golf Resort. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ 2006 and 2001 Enumerated Census information for Balgal Beach Archived 8 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 1 November 2010.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Balgal Beach (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Balgal Beach (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Northern Beaches". Thuringowa City Council. 1 October 2007. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Mystic Sands 9 Hole Golf Course | Townsville NQ". Mystic Sands Golf Resort. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Recreational Boating Facilities Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
Further reading edit
- Vidonja Balanzategui, Bianka; Thuringowa (Qld.). Council; Queensland. Environmental Protection Agency (2003), Thirty-three miles to Rollingstone : a short history of Rollingstone and Balgal, City of Thuringowa, ISBN 978-0-9577305-7-1
External links edit
- "Balgal Beach". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.