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Mount Surprise, Queensland facts for kids

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Mount Surprise
Queensland
Mount Surprise Railway Station - panoramio (4).jpg
Mount Surprise railway station
Mount Surprise is located in Queensland
Mount Surprise
Mount Surprise
Location in Queensland
Population 138 (2021 census)
 • Density 0.03819/km2 (0.0989/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4871
Elevation 453 m (1,486 ft)
Area 3,613.4 km2 (1,395.1 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s) Shire of Etheridge
State electorate(s) Traeger
Federal Division(s) Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
31.1 °C
88 °F		 16.1 °C
61 °F		 790.3 mm
31.1 in
Localities around Mount Surprise:
Abingdon Downs Fossilbrook
Springfield		 Forty Mile
Talaroo Mount Surprise Minnamoolka
Einasleigh Conjuboy Greenvale

Mount Surprise is a small town and area in Queensland, Australia. It is located in the Shire of Etheridge. In 2021, about 138 people lived there.

Where is Mount Surprise?

Waterlily Dam, Cattle station, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, 2022
Waterlily dam, 2022

Mount Surprise is in a region called the Gulf Savannah. This area is part of Far North Queensland. The town is located on the Gulf Developmental Road.

It is about 1,722 kilometers (1,070 miles) northwest of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland. It is also about 285 kilometers (177 miles) west of Cairns, a larger regional city.

A Look at Mount Surprise's Past

How Mount Surprise Started

The town of Mount Surprise was founded by Ezra Firth. He came from Yorkshire, England, and settled in the area with his family in 1864.

At first, things were tough for the Firth family. The land was not good for raising sheep. Also, there were conflicts with the local Indigenous people.

Gold Rush and Growth

In the 1880s, gold was discovered nearby. This led to a "gold rush" as many miners came to the area. Ezra Firth was able to sell his sheep to the miners. He then changed his farm to raise cattle instead. Selling supplies to the miners helped him become wealthy.

The Railway Arrives

In 1908, the Etheridge railway line reached Mount Surprise. This made it easier to transport goods and people. The Mount Surprise Post Office also opened around July 1908.

School and Community

Mount Surprise State School opened its doors on February 12, 1917. This provided education for the children in the area.

Who Lives in Mount Surprise?

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

  • In 2006, there were 162 people.
  • In 2011, the population grew to 306 people.
  • By 2016, it was 169 people.
  • In the most recent count in 2021, 138 people lived in Mount Surprise.

Important Places in Mount Surprise

Mount Surprise has some places that are important for their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. They include:

Learning in Mount Surprise

Mount Surprise State School is a government primary school. It teaches students from Early Childhood (kindergarten) up to Year 6. The school is located on Garland Street. In 2018, there were 23 students attending the school.

There are no high schools in Mount Surprise or very close by. For secondary education, students often use distance education (learning from home) or go to a boarding school.

What Can You Find in Mount Surprise?

Mount Surprise has several useful places for residents and visitors:

  • A local pub
  • A cafe
  • Two petrol stations with small shops
  • A post office
  • A train station
  • A gem-shop, where you can find local gemstones
  • A police station
  • Two caravan parks for travelers

One of the caravan parks, Bedrock Village Caravan Park & Tours, has campsites, cabins, and a swimming pool. It also offers guided tours to the amazing lava tubes at Undara Volcanic National Park. At the Mount Surprise Tourist Park, you can visit a large bird aviary.

Things to Do and See

Train Adventures

The Savannahlander is a special tourist train service. It often starts from, passes through, or stops at Mount Surprise. This train journey is a great way to see the region.

Scenic Views

Collins Lookout is a place where you can get great views. It is located in the northern part of the Mount Surprise area. This lookout is found within the Byrimine cattle station.

Exploring Nature

The town is close to two national parks:

  • Undara Volcanic National Park: This park is famous for its ancient lava tubes, which are like underground tunnels formed by flowing lava.
  • Forty Mile Scrub National Park: This park protects a unique type of rainforest.

Another fun activity in the area is gem fossicking. This means searching for gemstones in the ground.

Images for kids

  • Bedrock Village Caravan Park, Mount Surprise, Queensland Australia

    Bedrock Village Caravan Park

  • Elizabeth Creek, Mount Surprise, Queensland Australia

    Elizabeth Creek behind Bedrock Village

  • Bottle Tree in Undara Volcanic National Park

    A Brachychiton australis (Broad-leaved bottle tree) in Undara Volcanic National Park

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