Bamaga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BamagaQueensland |
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main street of Bamaga
|
|||||||||||||||
 Bamaga
Location in Queensland
|
|||||||||||||||
| Population | 1,186 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 17.915/km2 (46.40/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4876 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 66.2 km2 (25.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Northern Peninsula Area Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Cook | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Leichhardt | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Bamaga is an Indigenous town and area located in the very north of Queensland, Australia. It's about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula. Bamaga is one of the most northern towns on mainland Australia. It serves as the main administrative centre for the Northern Peninsula Area.
In 2021, the town of Bamaga had a population of 1,186 people. Most of these residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Contents
History of Bamaga
The first location for Bamaga was at a place called "Muttee Heads". This spot is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of where Bamaga is today.
The current town was started after World War II. People from Saibai Island in Torres Strait moved here. Their island had been badly damaged by very high tides.
The town is named after Bamaga Ginau, an elder from Saibai Island. He had the idea for this new settlement. However, he passed away before it was built.
In 1947, the Bamaga town was moved to its current spot. This move happened because the people needed a larger supply of fresh water.
Over time, Bamaga grew with local businesses and the Northern Peninsula Airport. It became the main centre for the Northern Peninsula Area. This area includes three Aboriginal communities: Injinoo, Umagico, and New Mapoon. It also includes two Islander communities: Seisia and Bamaga.
All five of these communities manage their own local affairs. The Bamaga Post Office opened in September 1951.
Bamaga State School first opened on 28 January 1964. Later, on 23 March 2005, its name was changed to Northern Peninsula Area State College.
Another community, "New Mapoon", was created about 20 years later. It was set up for people from the "Old Mapoon" community.
Bamaga State High School opened on 30 January 1973. It later closed on 9 December 1994.
Who Lives in Bamaga?
The population of Bamaga has changed over the years. In 2006, 784 people lived in the town. About 87.8% of them identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
By 2016, the population of Bamaga had grown to 1,164 people. At this time, 82.4% of residents identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
In the most recent count in 2021, Bamaga had 1,186 people. Of these, 78.3% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Where is Bamaga Located?
Bamaga and the towns around it are located north of the Jardine River. This river is very important because it provides the town with its water supply.
Bamaga's Weather
| Weather chart for Cape York Post Office, Queensland, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
371
30
24
|
353
30
24
|
371
30
24
|
256
30
24
|
69
29
23
|
26
28
22
|
20
28
22
|
9.5
28
22
|
6.4
29
22
|
15
30
23
|
57
31
24
|
195
31
24
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Imperial conversion
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bamaga has a tropical savanna climate. This means it's hot all year round. There are two main seasons: a wet season and a dry season.
The wet season runs from mid-November to mid-May. The dry season is from mid-May to mid-November.
| Climate data for Cape York Post Office, Queensland, Australia (1887-1955 normals and extremes); 40 m AMSL | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29.8 (85.6) |
29.6 (85.3) |
29.6 (85.3) |
29.5 (85.1) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.6 (81.7) |
27.8 (82.0) |
28.5 (83.3) |
29.9 (85.8) |
30.9 (87.6) |
30.8 (87.4) |
29.2 (84.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.9 (80.4) |
26.8 (80.2) |
26.7 (80.1) |
26.6 (79.9) |
25.9 (78.6) |
25.2 (77.4) |
24.6 (76.3) |
24.7 (76.5) |
25.4 (77.7) |
26.4 (79.5) |
27.4 (81.3) |
27.5 (81.5) |
26.2 (79.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 24.0 (75.2) |
23.9 (75.0) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.7 (74.7) |
23.0 (73.4) |
22.3 (72.1) |
21.5 (70.7) |
21.6 (70.9) |
22.2 (72.0) |
22.9 (73.2) |
23.8 (74.8) |
24.2 (75.6) |
23.1 (73.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 370.6 (14.59) |
352.1 (13.86) |
370.9 (14.60) |
255.5 (10.06) |
69.1 (2.72) |
26.1 (1.03) |
19.7 (0.78) |
9.5 (0.37) |
6.4 (0.25) |
14.9 (0.59) |
56.7 (2.23) |
194.6 (7.66) |
1,746.1 (68.74) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 16.9 | 15.7 | 16.3 | 11.7 | 7.0 | 5.7 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 9.0 | 98.1 |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology (1887-1955 normals and extremes) | |||||||||||||
Languages Spoken
The main languages spoken in Bamaga are Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Brokan (which is a Torres Strait Creole language), and English. English is especially used for school and government matters.
Education in Bamaga
Northern Peninsula Area State College is a school for all ages, from early childhood to Year 12. In 2018, it had 634 students and many teachers. The school also has a special education program.
The college has a senior campus for older students on Sagaukaz Street. There are two junior campuses for younger students. One is in Bamaga on Anu Street, and the other is in the town of Injinoo.
A technical and further education (TAFE) college, called the Cape York Campus, is also in Bamaga. TAFE colleges offer practical courses for jobs. This campus teaches things like seamanship (skills for working on boats) and other useful subjects.
The Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council runs an Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Bamaga. It's located in the HACC Centre Building on Adidi Street.
Places to Visit
St Stephen's Catholic Church is located on Lui Street. It's part of the Thursday Island Parish.
Muttee Heads is a popular spot for fishing and camping. You can also get to the mouth of the Jardine River from there. It's about 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Bamaga on the Cairns road.
Health Services
Bamaga Hospital has five doctors and 14 nurses. They are able to handle most medical cases that come to the hospital.
