Urangan, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Urangan Hervey Bay, Queensland
The Esplanade, Urangan
Urangan Location in Queensland
Population	10,988 (2021 census)
• Density	620.8/km2 (1,608/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4655
Area	17.7 km2 (6.8 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	Fraser Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Hervey Bay
Federal Division(s)	Hinkler
Suburbs around Urangan: Torquay Hervey Bay Hervey Bay Torquay Urangan Great Sandy Strait Wondunna Booral Great Sandy Strait

Urangan is a coastal suburb located in the city of Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Fraser Coast Region. In 2021, Urangan was home to 10,988 people.

Where is Urangan?

Urangan is on the coast, bordered by Hervey Bay (the actual body of water) to the north. To the east, you'll find the northern part of the Great Sandy Strait, which leads to Fraser Island.

There's a cool spot called Dayman Point, which is a headland sticking out into the water. Shelly Beach is another beach that stretches into the nearby area of Torquay. You'll also find the Urangan Boat Harbour, a busy place for boats. In the far southwest of Urangan, there's the Hervey Bay Airport.

Urangan's Past

The name Urangan comes from the Kabi language. It might mean dugong (a sea mammal) or small shell fish.

Early Explorers

Dayman Point and Dayman Spit are named after Lieutenant Joseph Dayman from the Royal Navy. In 1846, he was the first European to sail through the Great Sandy Strait. He chose this route to avoid dangerous waters near Fraser Island.

Schools and Railways

Urangan has a long history with schools. Urangan State School opened around 1890 but closed in 1915. Later, Urangan Point State School opened in 1916.

A railway line from Maryborough once ran through Urangan, ending at the famous Urangan Pier. This railway line was officially opened in 1913, helping to transport goods and people. The last ship docked at the Urangan pier in 1985.

Churches in Urangan

All Saints' Anglican Church was built in 1918. A Methodist church also opened in 1919 on Kent Street. In 1945, the Beulah Mission Church opened on King Street.

Modern Schools

More recently, Urangan State High School opened its doors in 1992. Sandy Strait State School followed in 1995.

People of Urangan

The number of people living in Urangan has grown over the years:

• In 2011, there were 9,169 people.
• By 2016, the population grew to 9,764.
• In 2021, Urangan had 10,988 residents.

Special Places

Urangan has one place listed as a State heritage-listed site:

• Miller Street: Urangan Point State School, Block D

Learning in Urangan

Urangan is home to several schools for different age groups:

Urangan Point State School, 2024

• Urangan Point State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on Miller Street. In 2018, about 400 students attended this school. It also has a special education program.

Sandy Strait State School, 2020

• Sandy Strait State School is another primary school for Prep to Year 6 students. You can find it on Robert Street. In 2018, it had around 713 students and also offers a special education program.

• Urangan State High School is a secondary school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. It's also on Robert Street. In 2018, about 1,712 students were enrolled here, and it includes a special education program.

Community Groups

The Urangan branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets at 19 Pulgul Street. This group helps women in rural areas and supports the community.

Fun Things to Do in Urangan

Urangan is a great place for activities and exploring!

Urangan Pier, 2010

• Whale Watching and Island Trips: From the marina in Urangan, you can join tours to go whale watching! You can also catch ferries from here to visit Fraser Island, a huge sand island with amazing nature.

• The Urangan Pier: This pier is almost 1 kilometre long, making it one of the longest in Australia! It's a fantastic spot for a walk, offering incredible views of the coast. You might even spot marine life like dolphins and stingrays in the water below. Fishing is allowed from the pier, and many people catch whiting here.

• Great Sandy Region Botanic Gardens: These beautiful gardens are located in Urangan and cover a large area. They have a special collection of about 20,000 orchids, which are stunning flowers!