Didcot, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Didcot Queensland
Didcot, 2008
Didcot Location in Queensland
Population	85 (2021 census)
• Density	0.675/km2 (1.75/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4621
Area	126.0 km2 (48.6 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	30.8 km (19 mi) NE of Gayndah 112 km (70 mi) W of Maryborough 312 km (194 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	North Burnett Region
State electorate(s)	Callide
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Suburbs around Didcot: Wateranga Wateranga Coringa Mount Steadman Didcot Degilbo Wilson Valley Gooroolba Coalstoun Lakes Biggenden

Didcot is a small country area, also called a locality, in the North Burnett Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a quiet place where people live in a rural setting. In 2021, about 85 people lived in Didcot.

Exploring Didcot's Landscape

Didcot is known for its natural features and a railway line that used to run through it.

Mountains and Hills

Didcot has two mountains. One is called Mount Melville, which is about 160 meters (525 feet) high. The other is Mount Shamrock, which is about 135 meters (443 feet) high.

Mount Shamrock is also the name of a former mining town. This old town is located in the north-east part of Didcot, right near the mountain itself.

Old Railway Line and Stations

A railway line, called the Mungar-Monto railway line, used to go right through Didcot. It ran from the west side to the east side. This railway line is now closed.

There were two railway stations in Didcot that are no longer used:

• Didcot railway station was in the western part of the area.
• Chowey railway station was located in the eastern part.

A Look Back at Didcot's Past

Didcot has an interesting history, especially with its old schools and early settlements.

Early Days and Settlements

Back in 1897, a report mentioned a place called "Irwin's Hotel" on Didcot Creek. This was an accommodation house, a bit like a small hotel, about 9 miles (14 kilometers) from a town then known as Woowoonga (now called Degilbo). This shows that people were living and traveling through the area a long time ago.

Schools in Didcot's History

Didcot once had a few schools that helped educate children in the area:

• Mount Shamrock Provisional School: This school first opened in 1890 but closed a few years later. It reopened in 1896. In 1909, it became Mount Shamrock State School. It finally closed around 1935.
• Didcot Provisional School: This school opened in 1908. Just like Mount Shamrock, it became Didcot State School in 1909. This school continued to operate until it closed in 1967.

Who Lives in Didcot?

The number of people living in Didcot has changed over the years.

• In 2011, Didcot and nearby areas had a population of 287 people.
• By 2016, the population of Didcot itself was 60 people.
• In 2021, the population grew slightly to 85 people.

Special Places: Heritage Listings

Deep Creek (Chowey) Bridge (1994)

Didcot has some places that are "heritage-listed." This means they are important historical sites that are protected because of their special history or design.

Important Historical Sites

Here are some of Didcot's heritage-listed sites:

• Chowey Cemetery: This cemetery, also known as Mount Shamrock Cemetery, is located on Chowey Cemetery Road. It's a place where people from the past were buried.
• Deep Creek Railway Bridge: This bridge is part of the old Mungar-Monto railway line. It's a very important example of engineering from its time.

Engineering Heritage Recognition

Engineers Australia has a special list called the Official Register of Engineering Heritage Markers. In 2016, they recognized the "Degilbo-Mundubbera Railway Bridges." This includes a group of 12 bridges on the Mungar Junction to Monto railway line, and the Deep Creek Railway Bridge is one of them. These bridges are considered the best examples of historic railway bridges in Australia.

How People Make a Living

The economy in Didcot is mainly rural, with many homesteads. A homestead is a farm or a large property where a family lives and works the land.

Homesteads in Didcot

There are several homesteads located throughout Didcot, including:

• Avalon
• Bibaringa
• Brahman Pk
• Danebo
• Nora Creina
• Plum Tree
• Warra Creek

Learning and Education

Didcot itself does not have any schools today. Children living in Didcot travel to nearby towns for their education.

Nearby Schools

• For primary school (younger students), the closest options are Coalstoun Lakes State School in Coalstoun Lakes or Biggenden State School in Biggenden.
• For secondary school (older students), students can attend Biggenden State School (up to Year 10) or Burnett State College in Gayndah (up to Year 12).