Benaraby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benaraby Queensland
Benaraby Progress Association Hall, 2017
Benaraby Location in Queensland
Population	1,166 (2021 census)
• Density	11.021/km2 (28.54/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4680
Area	105.8 km2 (40.8 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	23.4 km (15 mi) S of Gladstone 124 km (77 mi) SE of Rockhampton 509 km (316 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Gladstone Region
State electorate(s)	Callide Gladstone
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Localities around Benaraby: Calliope Wurdong Heights Tannum Sands Calliope Benaraby Iveragh Taragoola Boynedale Iveragh

Benaraby is a small town in Queensland, Australia. It's located in the Gladstone Region. In 2021, about 1,166 people lived here.

Exploring Benaraby

The town of Benaraby is in the north-east part of the area. It has two smaller neighbourhoods. These are named Alkina and Marrawing. They were once railway stations.

Getting Around

The Bruce Highway passes near Benaraby. It helps people travel to and from the town. The highway goes around the north side of Benaraby.

Waterways and Nature

Lake Awoonga is a large lake in the south of Benaraby. It was created by the Awoonga Dam on the Boyne River. The Boyne River flows north from the dam. It passes by the east side of the town.

A Look Back in Time

Benaraby has a history that goes back many years.

School Days

The first school here opened on July 12, 1886. It was first called Boyne River Provisional School. Later, in 1907, its name changed to Benaraby Provisional School. On January 1, 1909, it became Benaraby State School. It has been helping kids learn ever since!

Growing Community

Benaraby used to be mostly a farming area. But over time, it has grown. Now, many people who work in nearby cities like Gladstone, Boyne Island, and Tannum Sands live in Benaraby.

Who Lives Here?

In 2021, the area of Benaraby had a population of 1,166 people.

Learning in Benaraby

Classroom at Benaraby State School, 2022

Library at Benaraby State School, 2022

Benaraby State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 17 O'Connor Road. In 2018, about 105 students attended the school.

There isn't a high school in Benaraby itself. Older students usually go to Tannum Sands State High School. This school is in the nearby town of Tannum Sands.

What's in Benaraby?

Benaraby has a few useful places for residents and visitors. You can find a petrol station, the primary school, and a community hall. There's also a plant nursery and places to stay overnight.

The "This Big" Sculpture

In 2017, a huge sculpture called "This Big" was put up in Benaraby. It's 4.5 metres tall! You can see it at the Caltex Truck & Travel Centre on the Bruce Highway.

What it Shows

The "This Big" sculpture shows a giant pair of hands measuring a barramundi fish. It celebrates the fishing culture and the aluminium industry in the Gladstone Region.

How it Was Made

Lump Studio in Melbourne created this amazing artwork. Ten people worked on it for six months! It's made from special materials like corten steel and aluminium. They even used 3D modelling to make the hands. The hands are made from 226 pieces of steel welded together. The barramundi fish is made from 11 separate aluminium parts.

Official Unveiling

The sculpture was officially shown to the public on September 23, 2017. Andrew Ettingshausen, a famous TV host and former rugby player, helped unveil it. He said the sculpture is a landmark. It also shows that Benaraby is a great place for fishing, especially for barramundi.