kids encyclopedia robot

Esk, Queensland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Esk
Queensland
Esk Main Street.JPG
Main street of Esk, the Brisbane Valley Highway
Esk is located in Queensland
Esk
Esk
Location in Queensland
Population 1,641 (2021 census)
 • Density 27.534/km2 (71.31/sq mi)
Established 1872
Postcode(s) 4312
Area 59.6 km2 (23.0 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s) Somerset Region
County Cavendish
Parish Esk
State electorate(s) Nanango
Federal Division(s) Blair
Localities around Esk:
Biarra Coal Creek Murrumba
Redbank Creek Esk Glen Esk
Mount Hallen Mount Hallen Moombra

Esk is a small country town in the Somerset Region of South East Queensland, Australia. It's a lovely place where 1,641 people lived in 2021. Esk is known for its beautiful scenery and friendly community.

Where is Esk?

Esk Queensland
Aerial view of Esk with flooded Wivenhoe Dam in the background, photographed a week after the devastating floods of January 2011

Esk is about 64 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of Ipswich. You can find it along the Brisbane Valley Highway. The town got its name from the River Esk in Scotland and England. Esk is also the main office center for the Somerset Region.

A Look at Esk's History

StateLibQld 1 116908 View across the grass to Cressbrook Homestead, ca. 1887
View across the grass to Cressbrook Homestead, circa 1887

The land around Esk was first explored by Captain Patrick Logan in 1830. The town started because of nearby copper mines at Eskdale and Cressbrook Creek. Settlers began moving into this area in the 1840s.

Early Buildings and Services

The first post office in Esk opened on 1 February 1874. It was first called Mount Esk Post Office. Later, in 1881, its name was changed to Esk.

Mount Esk State School opened its doors on 1 November 1875. This school was also renamed Esk State School in 1887.

A church called the Esk Primitive Methodist Church opened on Sunday 25 November 1883. It was a timber church. Later, it became the Esk Methodist Church. A new church building was built in 1907.

In 1886, a Brisbane Valley railway line reached Esk. This helped the town grow. Several sawmills were built, and a butter factory opened in 1904. The timber industry became less important after the 1920s.

St Agnes' Anglican Church was officially opened on Monday 28 October 1889.

Remembering the Past

Esk War Memorial 2010
War Memorial and War Memorial Park, 2010

On 30 November 1920, the foundation stone for the Esk War Memorial was laid. This memorial was built to remember the people from the area who fought in the First World War. It lists the names of 462 people who joined the war. It also has the names of 83 local men who died.

The war memorial stands in Esk Memorial Park. This park also has a memorial for Captain Logan. He was exploring the Brisbane Valley in 1830 when he was murdered.

In July 1941, a Lutheran church was opened in Esk.

From the 1960s, dairy farming became less common. This made Esk less important as a big country center. The Esk Library opened in 2009.

During the 2010–11 Queensland floods, the center of Esk was flooded. This happened when Redbank Creek overflowed for the first time ever recorded.

How Many People Live in Esk?

In 2006, about 1,166 people lived in Esk. By 2011, the population grew to 1,755 people. In 2016, there were 1,698 people. The most recent count in 2021 showed 1,641 people living in Esk.

Special Places in Esk

Esk War Memorial
War memorial

Esk has several places that are important to its history. These are called heritage-listed sites:

What Esk is Known For

Esk is a small town that helps support a rich farming area around it.

Schools in Esk

Esk State School grounds, 2023
Esk State School, 2023

Esk State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 49 East Street. In 2017, the school had 172 students.

There are no high schools directly in Esk. Students usually go to Toogoolawah State High School in Toogoolawah. Other options are Lockyer District High School in Gatton or Lowood State High School in Lowood.

Local Services and Fun Places

Grand Hotel, Esk.
Grand Hotel, Esk

The Somerset Regional Council runs a public library at 19 Heap Street. You can borrow books and use computers there.

The Esk branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 5 Heap Street.

Esk Uniting Church is at 78 Ipswich Street. It's part of the Brisbane Valley Uniting Church.

The Esk Post Office is located at 97 Ipswich Street. Esk also has a local hospital and a racecourse.

Things to Do Near Esk

There are many fun places to visit near Esk! You can go to Lake Somerset and Lake Wivenhoe. These lakes were made by dams and offer lots of activities. You can go camping, boating, canoeing, fishing, and skiing.

You can also explore Ravensbourne and Crows Nest National Parks. The historic Bellevue Homestead is also in the area. Close by are the peaks of Glen Rock and Mount Esk, great for exploring nature.

Media in Esk

Esk has a Christian radio station that you can listen to on FM 87.6 MHz.

Famous People From Esk

  • Douglas Berry (1907–1957): He was a butcher and later became a politician in the 1950s.
  • Roderic Dallas (1891–1918): A brave fighter pilot during the First World War.
  • The Kransky Sisters: A funny music group who often say they are "from Esk, in Queensland" before their shows.
  • Henry Newton (bishop) (1866–1947): An Anglican bishop who worked in different parts of the world.
kids search engine
Esk, Queensland Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.