Ilfracombe, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids IlfracombeQueensland |
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Town entry signs
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 Ilfracombe
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 310 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.0472/km2 (0.122/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1891 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4727 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 214 m (702 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 6,573.3 km2 (2,538.0 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Longreach Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Gregory | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Ilfracombe is a small country town in Queensland, Australia. It's also a local area within the Longreach Region. In 2021, about 310 people lived here.
Ilfracombe is known as The Hub of the West. The main job for people in this area is raising sheep, mostly for their wool.
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Exploring Ilfracombe's Location
Ilfracombe is found on the Landsborough Highway. It's about 27 kilometers (17 miles) east of Longreach. The town sits about 214 meters (702 feet) above sea level.
Mountains and Railways
In the north-east part of Ilfracombe, you'll find Mount Rodney. This mountain was named in 1861. It reaches a height of 262 meters (860 feet).
The Central Western railway line runs through the area. There are a few train stops here:
- Ilfracombe railway station, which serves the town.
- Dartmouth railway station, which is no longer used.
- Deroora railway station.
A Look Back at Ilfracombe's History
Sheep farms, called stations, started in this area around 1864.
From Wellshot to Ilfracombe
The towns of Ilfracombe and Longreach were once part of a huge sheep farm called Wellshot Station. In 1892, Wellshot was famous for having the most sheep in the world, with 460,000!
The train line reached Ilfracombe in 1891. The Post Office opened soon after, on December 7, 1891. On July 1, 1892, the town's name changed from Wellshot to Ilfracombe. It was named after a coastal town in England.
Schools and Churches
Ilfracombe Provisional School first opened on May 3, 1893. It became Ilfracombe State School in 1899.
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church opened on September 10, 1905. It was built from timber and cost £207. A new church building replaced it in 1962.
Modern Changes
Ilfracombe used to be a much bigger town. It once had three hotels, but now it has one hotel and two general stores.
In April 1910, Isisford became the first town in Australia to get its mail delivered by a motor vehicle from Ilfracombe. This journey was about 90 kilometers (56 miles) long!
A Statue for a Local Hero
On September 24, 2021, a metal sculpture of National Rugby League player Matt Scott was unveiled in town. Matt Scott grew up in Ilfracombe. The sculpture is 1.9 meters (6.2 feet) tall and was made from scrap metal. It was created to inspire young people in the area and make the town proud.
Who Lives in Ilfracombe?
In 2021, the town of Ilfracombe had a population of 310 people. Most people, about 84.3%, were born in Australia. Also, 89.3% of people spoke only English at home. The most common religion was Anglican, at 39.5%.
Historic Places to See
Ilfracombe has some special places listed for their history:
- The old Beaconsfield Station Sheep Wash, which was used to wash sheep.
- Langenbaker House, a historic home on Mitchell Street.
Learning in Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 20 McMaster Drive. In 2018, the school had 10 students and 2 teachers. The classes are set up with students of different ages learning together.
There isn't a high school in Ilfracombe. The closest high schools are in Longreach and Barcaldine. For students who live far away, there are options like learning from home or going to a boarding school.
What to Do in Ilfracombe
The Ilfracombe Post Office is at 20 Main Avenue. It also has a public library where you can use Wi-Fi.
The Sacred Heart War Memorial Catholic Church is located at 2 Main Street.
Other fun things to do in town include a swimming pool, a 14-hole golf course, a racecourse, and a caravan park for visitors.
Cool Attractions to Visit
The Great Machinery Mile is an outdoor display of old farm machines. You can see them spread out along the Landsborough Highway in town. It's part of the Ilfracombe Machinery and Heritage Museum.
You can also take a guided tour of the historic Langenbaker House on Mitchell Street.
Famous People from Ilfracombe
Some well-known people have come from the Ilfracombe area:
- Quentin Bryce, who was a Governor of Queensland and later the Governor-General of Australia. These are important leadership roles in Australia.
- Matthew Scott, a famous rugby league player.
- Paul Wilson (meditation teacher), an author known for his best-selling book The Little Book of Calm.
