Rollingstone, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rollingstone Queensland
Swimming in Rollingstone Creek, 1986
Rollingstone Location in Queensland
Population	133 (2021 census)
• Density	3.359/km2 (8.70/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4816
Area	39.6 km2 (15.3 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	City of Townsville
State electorate(s)	Hinchinbrook
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Localities around Rollingstone: Crystal Creek Mutarnee Coral Sea Crystal Creek Rollingstone Balgal Beach Crystal Creek Clemant Clemant

Rollingstone is a small town located by the coast in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the City of Townsville. In 2021, about 133 people lived in Rollingstone.

Exploring Rollingstone's Location

Rollingstone is a quiet area with homes and nature. It's about 54 kilometers (34 miles) north of Townsville. It's also 57 kilometers (35 miles) south of Ingham. The town itself is in the middle of a narrow part of the area.

Waterways and Coastline

Rollingstone Creek flows near the town. It goes south and east, then empties into the Coral Sea. This creek also helps form the border between Rollingstone and its neighbor, Balgal Beach.

Roads and Railways

The Bruce Highway is a main road that goes through Rollingstone. It runs from the south-east to the north. The North Coast railway line also runs through the town. It follows a path similar to the highway.

Long ago, there were two train stations here:

• Kinduro railway station: This station was in the north. It is no longer used.
• Rollingstone railway station: This station served the town.

Kinduro is also a small neighborhood in the area. The name Kinduro comes from an Aboriginal word. It means clear water.

A Look Back at Rollingstone's History

Rollingstone was first settled in 1883 by John Lambert. The area was originally a large farm called Armidale. It stretched from Bluewater Creek to Ollera Creek.

Early Buildings and Renaming

In 1906, the Armidale Hotel opened. It was a stop for stagecoaches traveling between Townsville and Ingham. When the North Coast railway line opened in 1915, the Armidale railway station also became a post office. Mail was delivered by train.

However, there was another town called Armidale in New South Wales. To avoid confusion, the town and railway station were renamed Rollingstone. This new name came from the nearby creek. People believe the creek was named for the round rocks found in its bed. The hotel also changed its name to the Rollingstone Hotel.

School and Beach Life

Rollingstone State School opened on September 4, 1916. It started with 28 students. The land for the school was given by the hotel owners, John and Isabella Fitzpatrick.

The railway made it easier for people to visit the beaches north of Townsville. In 1947, the beach near Rollingstone was planned for a new town. It was named Balgal. Land was sold there starting in 1948. This area is now a separate suburb called Balgal Beach.

Community Spirit

The Rollingstone and District Community Association started in 1961. They had a community hall on the Bruce Highway. In 1998, a new community center was built in Balgal Beach to replace it.

Education in Rollingstone

Rollingstone State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It teaches both boys and girls. In 2018, the school had 65 students.

There are no high schools in Rollingstone itself. The closest government high school is Northern Beaches State High School. It is located in Deeragun, to the south-east.

What You Can Find in Rollingstone

Rollingstone has some important facilities for its residents. The Rollingstone Police Station is located on Rollingstone Street.

Local Services and Fun Spots

Along the Bruce Highway, you'll find a service station, a general store, a hotel, and a caravan park.

The Rollingstone Community Centre is actually in Balgal Beach. The Townsville City Council runs a mobile library service. It visits the Community Centre every second Wednesday morning.

Rollingstone is a great place for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy camping, picnicking, and swimming at Rollingstone Park. This park is also known as Bushy Park. It's located along Rollingstone Creek.

The Rollingstone Museum and Visitor Information Centre is in the old Rollingstone railway station building. This building was moved and fixed up. The Rollingstone Historical Society runs the museum.