Mutchilba, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MutchilbaQueensland |
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Mutchilba roadhouse, 2013
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 Mutchilba
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 627 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 1.5402/km2 (3.989/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1955 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4872 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 480 m (1,575 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 407.1 km2 (157.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Mareeba | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) |
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| Federal Division(s) | Kennedy | ||||||||||||||
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Mutchilba is a rural town and area in the Shire of Mareeba, located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It's well-known for growing lots of delicious mangoes.
In 2021, about 627 people lived in Mutchilba.
Contents
Where is Mutchilba?
Mutchilba is found on the Atherton Tableland, which is a high, flat area. It's about 98 kilometers (61 miles) south-west of Cairns. You can get there by following the Captain Cook Highway and the Kennedy Highway.
The town itself is in the north-west part of the Mutchilba area. It sits on the road between Mareeba and Dimbulah. It's about 34 kilometers (21 miles) west of Mareeba.
Mountains and Railways
Part of the Great Dividing Range, a long chain of mountains, forms the eastern edge of Mutchilba. Some of the mountains in the area include:
- Mount Masterton (849 meters or 2,785 feet tall)
- Wog Hill (769 meters or 2,523 feet tall)
- Hoot Hill (847 meters or 2,779 feet tall)
- Mount Emerald (1,124 meters or 3,688 feet tall)
The Tablelands railway line runs through Mutchilba. It comes from the north-east (near Arriga) and continues west towards Dimbulah. In the past, there were many small railway stations along this line in Mutchilba, but they are no longer used.
A Look at Mutchilba's History
The name Mutchilba comes from an Aboriginal word meaning big dead tree. The railway station was given this name on March 2, 1923.
Mutchilba State School first opened its doors on August 21, 1939.
In 1954, plans were made for the town of Mutchilba. This was part of a bigger project to develop the Mareeba-Dimbulah area for farming, especially with irrigation. The first land plots for the town were measured out in March 1955.
The Mutchilba Post Office started operating on March 1, 1956. Before that, a telegraph office had been open since 1936.
In 1999, the town was officially changed to be part of Dimbulah, Queensland. However, on October 12, 2012, Mutchilba was once again officially recognized as its own town in Queensland's place names records.
People of Mutchilba
In 2016, about 495 people lived in Mutchilba. By 2021, the population had grown to 627 people.
What Mutchilba is Known For
Mutchilba is famous for its large production of mangoes. Many farms in the area grow these sweet fruits.
Even though it's called the Mount Emerald Wind Farm, this big wind farm is actually located in the nearby area of Arriga, not in Mutchilba itself.
Schools in Mutchilba
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Mutchilba State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 33 Marsterson Street. In 2018, the school had 20 students.
There are no high schools directly in Mutchilba. Students who want to continue their education can go to Dimbulah State School (up to Year 10) in nearby Dimbulah, or Mareeba State High School (up to Year 12) in Mareeba.
Community Places
St Joseph's Catholic Church is on Masterson Street. It's part of the Dimbulah Parish, which is looked after by the Atherton parish.
Fun Events
Mutchilba is known for its "Mango Mardi Gras." This is a special celebration of all the mango farms in the region.
The Feast of St Joseph is also celebrated by the Catholic church. It happens on the first Friday of March with a special church service followed by a barbeque.
