Booral, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BooralHervey Bay, Queensland |
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Booral horse station, circa 1898
|
|||||||||||||||
 Booral
Location in Queensland
|
|||||||||||||||
| Population | 1,636 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 59.93/km2 (155.2/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4655 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 27.3 km2 (10.5 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
|
||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Fraser Coast Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Hervey Bay | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Hinkler | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Booral is a beautiful coastal area in the Fraser Coast Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a type of locality, which is like a small town or district. In 2021, about 1,636 people lived in Booral. It's a peaceful place known for its connection to the water.
Contents
Where is Booral?
Booral is located right next to the sparkling waters of Hervey Bay. This bay forms the entire eastern side of Booral. It's a great spot for enjoying the coast and water activities.
Booral's Past: A Look Back
The name Booral comes from the language of the Kabi (also known as Gubbi Gubbi) Aboriginal people. It has a couple of possible meanings. It might mean "tall," possibly linked to their sky god, Beiral. Or, it could mean "place of shell mounds."
Shell Mounds and Ancient History
Many shell mounds have been found along the coastline of Booral. These mounds were left behind by Aboriginal people. They would gather and feast on shellfish here. Aboriginal people lived in this area for a very long time, possibly over 6,000 years! They even traveled from the Bunya Mountains to trade special bunya nuts for shellfish.
Early European Settlement
Later, in the 1850s, a person named Edgar Thomas Aldridge set up the Booral Homestead. This was one of the first European settlements in the area.
Who Lives in Booral?
Booral is a growing community.
- In 2011, about 1,449 people lived here.
- By 2016, the population grew to 1,540 people.
- In the most recent count in 2021, Booral had a population of 1,636 people.
What Kind of Work is Done in Booral?
Farming in the Sea
Because Booral is so close to the Great Sandy Strait, it's a good place for something called salt water aquaculture. This means farming animals and plants that live in the sea. For example, people here can farm fish, sea cucumbers, and even soft shell crabs. It's like farming, but in the ocean!
Schools Near Booral
There are no schools directly in Booral itself. However, students can easily go to schools in nearby areas:
- The closest government primary schools are Sandy Strait State School in Urangan (to the north) and Kawungan State School in Kawungan (to the north-west).
- The nearest government high school is Urangan State High School, also in Urangan.
Community Spirit
Booral Community Association
The Booral Community Association Inc. is a group of volunteers. They work hard to help the community and make sure its interests are heard by the government. One important issue for them has been making sure everyone can access the beautiful foreshore (the land along the water). They believe it should be open to the public, not just certain property owners.
