Forrest Beach, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Forrest Beach Queensland
Forrest Beach Location in Queensland
Population	1,364 (2021 census)
• Density	20.267/km2 (52.49/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4850
Area	67.3 km2 (26.0 sq mi)
Location	16 km (10 mi) SE of Ingham 85 km (53 mi) NW of Townsville 1,195 km (743 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Hinchinbrook
State electorate(s)	Hinchinbrook
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Suburbs around Forrest Beach: Braemeadows Braemeadows Taylors Beach Blackrock Forrest Beach Coral Sea Orient Orient Coral Sea

Forrest Beach is a lovely coastal area in Queensland, Australia. It's a great spot to visit! In 2021, about 1,364 people lived here.

The main town within this area is called Allingham. You'll find it right by the coast.

Just a short distance away, about 5 kilometers north of Forrest Beach, is Lady Elliot Reef. It's an amazing coral reef in the ocean.

Exploring Forrest Beach's Geography

Forrest Beach sits right next to the Coral Sea. It has long, sandy beaches that are perfect for a stroll. The water here is calm and safe because nearby islands like Orpheus and Palm protect it.

To the southwest, you'll find Palm Creek. This area also includes the Palm Creek Conservation Park, which is a protected natural space. You might see some farms in the western part of Forrest Beach. Most of the houses are built near the northern beaches.

There's also a smaller group of houses by the southern beaches. This area is known as Cassady Beach. It was named after Francis Andrew O'Connor Cassady, who used to be in charge of the Shire of Hinchinbrook.

Discovering Lady Elliot Reef

Lady Elliot Reef is a beautiful coral reef. It's actually part of the huge Great Barrier Reef! The reef got its name from a ship called the Lady Elliot. People say this ship was wrecked near here way back in 1816.

A Look at Forrest Beach's History

The name Forrest Beach comes from George Brownrigg Forrest. He was the manager of a sugar mill called Victoria Mill, close to Ingham.

Another important person in the area's history was Christopher Allingham. He was one of the first European settlers to start a farm here, called Muralambeen. The town of Allingham was officially mapped out in 1925.

The Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club started in 1927. These clubs are important for keeping people safe on the beach. It closed for a while but reopened in 1958-59 thanks to the Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

The Allingham Post Office opened its doors on March 1, 1967. This made it easier for people to send letters and parcels.

Forrest Beach State School welcomed its first students on January 29, 1980. It's still an important part of the community today.

A special place called the Forrest Beach War Memorial was built in 2006. It helps us remember all the brave Australian men and women who served in wars and conflicts. You can find it at the corner of Palm Street and Pine Street.

Heritage Sites in Forrest Beach

Forrest Beach has some special places that are listed as heritage sites. This means they are important historical locations.

• One of these is the Muralambeen Homestead, located off Bosworth's Road. This was the home of the Allingham family, who were early settlers in the area.

Education Opportunities

Forrest Beach State School is a government primary school. It teaches boys and girls from Prep (the first year of school) up to Year 6. You can find it at 40 Pandanus Street. In 2018, the school had 38 students.

For older students, the closest government high school is Ingham State High School. There's also Gilroy Santa Maria College, a Catholic school for both boys and girls in Ingham. Another option for Catholic boys is St Teresa's College in Abergowrie, which is a bit further north.

Local Amenities

Forrest Beach has a one-lane boat ramp on Sheoak Street. This is handy for launching boats into the Coral Sea.

The local branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets at the Kenmore Library. You can find it at 6 Palm Street. The QCWA is a group that helps women and communities in rural areas.