Benowa, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benowa Gold Coast, Queensland
Benowa State High School (foreground) looking east towards Surfers Paradise, 2021
Benowa Location in Queensland
Population	8,741 (2016 census)
• Density	1,324/km2 (3,430/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4217
Area	6.6 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	3.8 km (2 mi) SW of Surfers Paradise 5.7 km (4 mi) SSW of Southport 75.3 km (47 mi) SSE of Brisbane
LGA(s)	City of Gold Coast
State electorate(s)	Surfers Paradise Southport
Federal Division(s)	Moncrieff
Suburbs around Benowa: Ashmore Ashmore Southport Carrara Benowa Bundall Carrara Broadbeach Waters Bundall

Benowa is a suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census Benowa had a population of 8,741 people.

History

Canecutters working in the cane fields in the Benowa area, ca. 1910

The name was originally derived from the Bundjalung word "Boonow", meaning bloodwood tree. This word was later corrupted by European settlers in search of sugar cane growing on the shores of the Nerang River. The name was perpetualised in 1870 when a pioneer named Robert Muir used the name for his sugar plantation on the northern bank of the river.

The Bundall Provisional School opened on 21 September 1885 on the corner of Ashmore Road and Mediterranean Drive under head teacher Edwin Davies. In November 1900 it was renamed Benowa Provisional School. On 1 January 1909, it was relocated the corner of Ashmore Road and Carrara St and became Benowa State School. In 1965 it was relocated to its present site at Benowa Road.

Geography

There are 3 distinct areas to Benowa. Established Benowa located on the northern side of Ashmore Road, Benowa Hills and Benowa Waters. Benowa is attracting a fair amount of attention from renovators with some of the original homes being built around the 1980s, due to its great proximity to Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach and with so many great facilities within the area. Benowa is renowned for its canals with easy access to the Nerang River.

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Benowa recorded a population of 8,741 people, 52.6% female and 47.4% male.

The median age of the Benowa population was 43 years, 5 years above the national median of 38.

59.0% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 6.0%, England 4.7%, China 3.1%, Japan 1.7% and South Africa 1.5%.

70.2% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 4.8%, Japanese 2.5%, Cantonese 1.6% and Korean 1.4%.

The most common responses for religion were No Religion 28.2%, Catholic 22.9% and Anglican 17.3%.

Sport

Benowa is home to several sports clubs. The Surfers Paradise Australian Football Club are based at Sir Bruce Small Park and compete in the South East Queensland Australian Football League Division 1. The club also plays Cricket in the off season. The Surfers Paradise Baseball Club also play at Sir Bruce Small Park. The Benowa Bowls Club are based at Sir Bruce Small Park also.

The Royal Pines Resort is home to professional Golf tournaments such as the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Ladies Masters. The resort also used to host a professional Tennis event named the Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts on the WTA Tour. The event was moved to Brisbane in 2009. The Tennis facilities are still used by the Australian Fed Cup team to host Fed Cup ties and Bernard Tomic often trains on the courts in the off season.

Education

Benowa State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at 314-358 Benowa Road (28°00′28″S 153°23′28″E / 28.0077°S 153.3911°E / -28.0077; 153.3911 (Benowa State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 892 students with 65 teachers (59 full-time equivalent) and 40 non-teaching staff (24 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program. School sports include Australian rules football, touch football, netball, hockey, and soccer.

St Kevin's Catholic School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 312 Benowa Road (28°00′13″S 153°23′27″E / 28.0037°S 153.3907°E / -28.0037; 153.3907 (St Kevin's School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 522 students with 37 teachers (31 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (12 full-time equivalent).

Benowa State High School is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at Mediterranean Drive (28°00′17″S 153°23′19″E / 28.0047°S 153.3885°E / -28.0047; 153.3885 (Benowa State High School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1894 students with 149 teachers (139 full-time equivalent) and 60 non-teaching staff (47 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program. Benowa State High School is known for its French immersion course, which started in 1985.