Gracemere, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gracemere Queensland
Big G, Gracemere's big thing, 2015
Gracemere Location in Queensland
Population	12,023 (2021 census)
• Density	171.51/km2 (444.2/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4702
Area	70.1 km2 (27.1 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	Rockhampton Region
State electorate(s)	Rockhampton Mirani
Federal Division(s)	Capricornia
Localities around Gracemere: Nine Mile Fairy Bower Fairy Bower Kabra Gracemere Port Curtis Kabra Bouldercombe Bouldercombe

Gracemere is a friendly rural town located in the Rockhampton Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a place where many people live and then travel to work in the nearby city. In 2021, about 12,023 people called Gracemere home.

Exploring Gracemere's Location

Gracemere is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) west of the city of Rockhampton. Because it's so close to Rockhampton, many people who live in Gracemere travel a short distance to work in the city each day. This makes Gracemere a "dormitory town."

Natural Features and Transport Routes

North of the town, you'll find the beautiful Gracemere Lagoon. It's a lovely spot to visit.

The Capricorn Highway passes through Gracemere. It enters from the north (near Fairy Bower) and continues west (towards Kabra).

The Central Western railway line also runs through Gracemere. It comes from the north-east (Port Curtis) and travels alongside the highway, heading west. There used to be three railway stops in Gracemere, but they are no longer used:

• Malchi railway station
• Langley railway station
• Gracemere railway station

Gracemere's Past: A Look at History

The land around Gracemere has a long history. It is part of the traditional country of the Gangalu people. Their language is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken in this region.

Early European Settlement

European explorers first came to this area in 1853. The the Archer brothers were looking for good land for their sheep. They settled near a small lake, which they named Gracemere in 1855. The name "Gracemere" combines "Grace," the name of Thomas Archer's wife, and "mere," a Scottish word for lake. The Archer brothers also found a good spot on the nearby Fitzroy River to receive supplies. This spot later grew into the city of Rockhampton.

In July 1855, Charles and Thomas Archer, along with about 30 other people, began to set up the Gracemere pastoral station. They worked with local Aboriginal people, led by "King Harold," to live peacefully in the area.

Growth and Development

As Gracemere grew, more schools were needed for the children.

• Gracemere State School opened its doors on 20 February 1871.
• Waraburra State School opened on 27 January 1987.
• St Paul's Catholic Primary School opened on 27 January 1988.

In more recent times, new landmarks have appeared:

• The Big G, a giant letter G, was put up on 18 August 2015. It marks the entrance to the Gracemere Industrial Park.
• The Gracemere public library opened in August 2017. This was a big deal for local residents, as the area didn't have a public library before.
• Gracemere Shoppingworld, a shopping center, opened in December 2014. It has a Woolworths and Best & Less, plus many other shops.

Gracemere's Population Over Time

The number of people living in Gracemere has grown quite a lot over the years:

• In 2011, Gracemere had a population of 8,401 people.
• By 2016, the population had increased to 11,315 people.
• In 2021, the population reached 12,023 people.

Important Historical Sites

Sketch of Gracemere Homestead and the Gracemere Lagoon, around 1869

Gracemere has some special places that are protected because of their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One important site is:

• Gracemere Homestead, located at 234 Gracemere Road.

What Gracemere Does: Economy

Even though many people in Gracemere travel to Rockhampton for work, the town has its own important industries.

Cattle and Livestock

Raising beef cattle has always been a very important business here. Gracemere is home to the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange. This used to be called the Gracemere Saleyards. It's the biggest place for selling cattle in the entire Southern Hemisphere! It's located at 16 Saleyards Road.

Growing Community

Gracemere is expanding quickly. There are about 10 new housing areas being built right now. This shows that more and more people want to live in this town.

Learning in Gracemere: Education

Gracemere has three primary schools for younger students:

• Gracemere State School is a government school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's on O'Shanesy Street. In 2017, about 302 students attended this school. It also has a special education program.
• Waraburra State School is another government primary school for Prep to Year 6 students. It's located at 55 Johnson Road. In 2017, it had about 492 students and also offers a special education program.
• St Paul's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic school for students from Prep to Year 6. You can find it on Breakspear Street. In 2017, around 310 students were enrolled here.

There are no high schools in Gracemere itself. Older students usually travel by bus to Rockhampton State High School in Wandal, Rockhampton, to continue their education.

Local Services and Shopping

Gracemere has several useful places for residents:

• Gracemere Shoppingworld is a large shopping center. It's located near O'Shanesy Street, McLaughlin Street, and the Capricorn Highway.
• The Gracemere public library is run by the Rockhampton Regional Council. You can find it at 1 Ranger Street.
• The Gracemere branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Guide Hut on James Street.

Fun Things to See: Attractions

One of Gracemere's most famous attractions is the Big G. It's one of Australia's big things, which are large roadside attractions found across Australia. The Big G is a giant capital letter G. It's 5 meters (16 feet) tall and 6.6 meters (22 feet) wide, and it's made from 5 tonnes (about 11,000 pounds) of steel! You can see it at the entrance to the Gracemere Industrial Park.

Getting Around: Transport

Since many people in Gracemere work in Rockhampton, most residents either drive their own cars or take a bus. Young's Bus Service runs buses every hour between the town center and South Gracemere.

During busy times, like around 8:00 AM on weekdays, traffic can get very heavy. Cars can be backed up for over a kilometer (about 0.6 miles) on the roads. Because of this, there are often roadworks and upgrades happening on the Capricorn Highway to improve traffic flow. There's even a plan for a new western bypass road around Rockhampton. This would help send vehicles directly to the northern suburbs, avoiding traffic jams in the city center.

Famous People from Gracemere

Gracemere has been home to some very talented people:

• Anna Meares is an amazing cyclist. She has won two gold medals at both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. She also has an OAM award.
• Kerrie Meares is Anna's older sister and also a fantastic cyclist. She has won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games for cycling.