Wonga Beach, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wonga BeachQueensland |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | 1,042 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 48.69/km2 (126.1/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4873 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 21.4 km2 (8.3 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Shire of Douglas | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Cook | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Leichhardt | ||||||||||||||
|
Wonga Beach is a lovely coastal town in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Shire of Douglas. The town of Wonga is also found within this area. In 2021, about 1,042 people lived in Wonga Beach.
Contents
Where is Wonga Beach?
Wonga Beach is a beautiful place right by the ocean. It sits between two smaller towns, Rocky Point and Daintree. It's about 17 kilometers (11 miles) north of the town of Mossman.
In 1985, something cool happened here. A huge volcano erupted under the Coral Sea. This eruption sent thousands of light, floating rocks called Pumice to the ocean surface. These rocks then floated onto the beaches of north Queensland, carried by the wind.
A Look at Wonga Beach's History
The Story of Wonga Beach State School
The local school started as Rocky Point State School. It first opened its doors on February 23, 1939. This was about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south of where the school is now.
In 1999, the school moved to Wonga Beach. It was then renamed Wonga Beach State School. Most of the old school buildings were sold and became houses. But one building was moved to the new school site at Wonga Beach.
Who Lives in Wonga Beach?
The number of people living in Wonga Beach has grown over the years.
- In 2011, there were 746 people.
- By 2016, the population grew to 975 people.
- In 2021, the town had 1,042 residents.
Amazing Birds of Wonga Beach
Wonga Beach is a fantastic spot for people who love watching birds. You can see some special and rare birds here.
- The Gould's bronze cuckoo
- The double-eyed fig-parrot
- The beach stone-curlew
It's easy to mix up the beach stone-curlew with the more common bush stone-curlew. The bush stone-curlew is famous for its loud, wailing calls at night!
What Services Does Wonga Beach Offer?
The main place for services in the Daintree Valley is a service station. It's the only place to get fuel in the area. It opens early at 5:30 AM and closes at 8:30 PM. Besides fuel, it also has a small convenience store and an ATM where you can get cash.
Learning at Wonga Beach
Wonga Beach State School
Wonga Beach State School is a government primary school. It teaches students from Prep (the first year of school) up to Year 6. Both boys and girls attend this school. It's located at 48-74 Snapper Island Drive (16°20′31″S 145°24′46″E / 16.3419°S 145.4129°E). In 2017, the school had 90 students and 10 teachers.
The school is known for being a SunSmart school. This means they have strict rules to protect students from the sun's strong UV rays. This is part of a program by The Cancer Council Australia.
The school also has a large area of swampland. Taking care of this swamp has become a special school project. They are even building an 'eco-maze' there!
School Transport
School buses run twice a day. They go from New Wonga to Old Wonga, and then on to Mossman. These buses are only for students and are not open to the public.
High School Options
There are no high schools directly in Wonga Beach. The closest government high school is Mossman State High School. It's located in Mossman, to the south-west.