Tolga, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tolga Queensland
Kennedy Highway near the intersection with Main Street, Tolga
Tolga Location in Queensland
Population	2,718 (2016 census)
• Density	31.864/km2 (82.53/sq mi)
Established	1885
Postcode(s)	4882
Elevation	760 m (2,493 ft)
Area	85.3 km2 (32.9 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	7.1 km (4 mi) N of Atherton 89 km (55 mi) SW of Cairns 1,691 km (1,051 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Tablelands Region
State electorate(s)	Hill
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 25.6 °C 78 °F 15.3 °C 60 °F 1,400 mm 55.1 in
Localities around Tolga: Walkamin Mareeba Tinaroo Arriga Tolga Kairi Mutchilba Watsonville Atherton

Tolga is a rural town and locality in the Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Tolga had a population of 2,718 people.

It is the centre of the region's peanut industry and is home to the Big Peanut (17°12′12″S 145°28′34″E / 17.2032°S 145.4760°E / -17.2032; 145.4760 (The Big Peanut)).

History

The name Tolga means red mud in the local Aboriginal language. The town was originally called Martintown, and grew out of a Cobb and Co staging post at Rocky Creek.

At the 2006 census, Tolga had a population of 843.

Tolga Markets

Tolga Markets are held at the Tolga Racecourse from 7am to 12pm on the first Sunday of each month. Local produce, hand crafted items, clothing, tools and food are commonly found for sale. It is considered the second most popular market held on the Atherton Tableland, only slightly smaller than the Yungaburra Markets.

The Tolga Scrub

The Tolga Scrub on the southern side of town is one of the last remaining areas of Mabi rainforest on the Atherton Tableland. It is the most drought resistant type of rainforest in Australia. The Tolga Scrub is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and 100 metres wide.

Heritage listings

Tolga has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Bowcock Road: Bones Knob Radar Station
• Kennedy Highway: Rocky Creek World War Two Hospital Complex

Education

Tolga State School opened on 10 October 1895 and is co-educational, catering for Prep - Year 6 with an enrolment of 366 students. The school celebrated its centenary in 1995.