Aloomba, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aloomba Queensland
Looking south down Nielsen Street, Alloomba, 2018
Aloomba Location in Queensland
Population	576 (2021 census)
• Density	5.199/km2 (13.47/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4871
Area	110.8 km2 (42.8 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	6.7 km (4 mi) ESE of Gordonvale 29.6 km (18 mi) S of Cairns CBD 1,682 km (1,045 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Cairns Region
State electorate(s)	Mulgrave
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Localities around Aloomba: Gordonvale Green Hill Yarrabah Wooroonooran Aloomba Yarrabah Wooroonooran Fishery Falls Deeral

Aloomba is a small town in the countryside, located in the Cairns Region of Queensland, Australia. In 2021, about 576 people lived there.

Exploring Aloomba's Location

Looking east along Bennett Road, 2018

Aloomba is a long, narrow area surrounded by mountains on its east and west sides. The Mulgrave River forms its northern border and also flows through the western part of the area.

The main highway, the Bruce Highway, runs through the western side of Aloomba. The town itself is about 2 kilometers east of the highway. A railway line, the North Coast railway line, also passes through Aloomba. It enters from the south, goes through the town, and then heads back towards the highway.

Nature and Farming in Aloomba

Looking west along Hesp Road across the North Coast railway line, 2018

The western, mountainous part of Aloomba is a protected area called the Malbon Thompson Forest Reserve. The rest of the land is mostly flat and used for farming. Farmers here mainly grow sugarcane.

To move the harvested sugarcane, there's a special network of small railways called cane tramways. These tramways take the sugarcane to the Mulgrave Sugar Mill in Gordonvale for processing.

Aloomba's Past

Aloomba Hotel, Aloomba, circa 1925

Aloomba State School, circa 1914

The name "Aloomba" comes from an old local language, Yidinji. The word "Ngalumba" means a type of hard milkwood tree.

School Days in Aloomba

Aloomba Provisional School first opened its doors on May 15, 1899. It later became Aloomba State School on January 1, 1909.

The Cane Beetles March

On April 20, 1916, a special event called the Cane Beetles March started near Aloomba. This was during World War I, and its goal was to encourage men to join the Australian army. It was a "snowball march," meaning it started with a few people and grew bigger as it went along.

The march began with just 4 men in Mooliba (now Mirriwinni). It passed through several towns, including Aloomba, and ended in Cairns, about 60 kilometers away. By the end, 29 men had joined the army.

Education in Aloomba

Aloomba State School, 2018

Aloomba State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on Nielsen Street. In 2018, the school had 91 students and 7 teachers.

There isn't a high school in Aloomba. Most students go to Gordonvale State High School in nearby Gordonvale.

Community Life

The Aloomba Community Hall is a place where people can gather. It's located on Anderson Road, next to Robert Rossi Park. The hall can hold up to 80 people and is managed by the Cairns Regional Council.

Famous People from Aloomba

• Bunny Adair attended Aloomba State School. He later became a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for the Cook area, which means he was an elected representative in the Queensland government.