Cannonvale, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CannonvaleQueensland |
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Cannonvale beach, 2012
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 Cannonvale
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 6,596 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 795/km2 (2,060/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4802 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 8.3 km2 (3.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Whitsunday Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Whitsunday | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Dawson | ||||||||||||||
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Cannonvale is a lovely coastal town in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Australia. It's known for its beautiful beaches and connection to the famous Whitsunday Islands. In 2021, about 6,596 people called Cannonvale home. It's a great place to live and visit, offering a mix of natural beauty and community life.
Contents
Exploring Cannonvale's Geography
Cannonvale sits right on Pioneer Bay, which is part of the big Coral Sea. This bay forms the northern edge of the town.
Pigeon Island and Shingley Beach
Inside Pioneer Bay, you'll find a small island called Pigeon Island. It's a special place for Nutmeg pigeons. These birds fly south to the Whitsundays in large groups every summer. They use the island as a resting spot.
Shingley Beach is a sandy stretch along the coast. It reaches into the nearby town of Airlie Beach. It's a popular spot for relaxing by the water.
Hills and Roads
Scrubby Hill is a small hill on Cannonvale's northern coast. It stands about 91 meters (298 feet) high. The main road, called Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road, runs through Cannonvale. It connects different parts of the area.
A Glimpse into Cannonvale's History
Cannonvale has an interesting past. It was first named Cannon Valley in 1866. This name was given by George Strong Nares, a commander on a ship called HMS Salamander. He named it after his ship's assistant surgeon, Richard Cannon.
How Cannonvale Got Its Name
In 1904, land near the beach was sold. People started calling this area Cannonvale. But locals preferred "Cannon Valley Beach." The post office even changed its name to Deauville in 1930. However, in 1947, it was renamed Cannonvale Beach. Today, it's simply Cannonvale. The name Cannon Valley now refers to the inland area.
Schools and Community Growth
Cannon Vale Provisional School first opened in 1892. It closed for a while but reopened in 1910 as Cannon Valley State School. This school served the local farming families. In 1968, the school moved closer to Cannonvale. It reopened in July 1969 with 84 students and became Cannonvale State School.
Whitsunday Christian College started in 1997 with about 30 students. It moved to its current location in 2002. The Cannonvale public library opened its doors in 2006.
Facing the Weather
In early 2010, a big storm called Cyclone Anthony hit the coast. It caused storm surges that affected the beach and boats.
Who Lives in Cannonvale?
In 2016, Cannonvale had a population of 5,716 people. By 2021, this number grew to 6,596 residents.
Learning in Cannonvale
Cannonvale offers good schools for students of all ages.
Primary and Secondary Schools
Cannonvale State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on Coral Esplanade. In 2018, it had 765 students. The school also has a special education program.
Whitsunday Christian College is a private school. It teaches students from Prep all the way to Year 12. You can find it on Paluma Road. In 2018, it had 282 students.
For government secondary school, students usually go to Proserpine State High School in nearby Proserpine.
Further Education
TAFE Queensland has a campus in Cannonvale on Shute Harbour Road. TAFE offers practical courses. Here, you can learn skills for jobs in hospitality, cooking, and childcare.
Important Services and Facilities
Cannonvale has several important services to help the community.
Emergency Services
The Whitsunday Police Station is on Altmann Avenue. The Cannonvale SES Facility is on Schnapper Street. The SES helps people during emergencies like floods or storms. The Whitsunday Ambulance Station is also on Schnapper Street.
Marine Rescue
The Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday (VMR 442) is based on Altmann Avenue. These volunteers help boats and people in trouble at sea. They cover a large area, from Gloucester Island to Shaw Island. They use the Whisper Bay boat ramp nearby.
Community Spots and Activities
Cannonvale has places for people to gather and enjoy.
Library and Churches
The Whitsunday Regional Council runs a public library. It's located in the Whitsunday Plaza Shopping Centre.
St Martin's Church is on St Martins Road. It's a special church because it's shared by Catholic and Lutheran churches. Other church services, like Baptist, Anglican, and Uniting Church, also use it.
Boat Ramps
For boat owners, there are two main boat ramps. Abell Point Marina has a boat ramp at Shingley Beach. The Whisper Bay boat ramp and floating walkway are on Altmann Avenue. Both are managed by the Whitsunday Regional Council.
