Balberra is a coastal locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census, Balberra had a population of 457 people.[1]

Balberra Queensland
Balberra
Coordinates	21.2986°S 149.1411°E / -21.2986; 149.1411
Population	457 (2016 census)[1]
• Density	7.419/km2 (19.21/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4740
Area	61.6 km2 (23.8 sq mi)
Location	21.4 km (13 mi) S of Mackay 319 km (198 mi) N of Rockhampton 406 km (252 mi) SE of Townsville 993 km (617 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Mackay Region
State electorate(s)	Mirani
Federal division(s)	Capricornia
Suburbs around Balberra: Sandiford Chelona Dunrock Coral Sea Homebush Oakenden Balberra Alligator Creek Sunnyside Sunnyside Munbura

Geography

The northern boundary of the locality is Sandy Creek, the southern boundary is Bell Creek and Alligator Creek, and the western boundary is B L Creek. The eastern tip of the locality is at the joint mouth of Sandy Creek and Alligator Creek as they flow into the Coral Sea.[3]

The Bruce Highway passes through the locality from the north (Chelona) to the south east (Alligator Creek). The North Coast railway line passes through the locality to the west of the highway; Balberra railway station serves the locality.[3][4]

The predominant land use is growing crops, particularly sugar cane. There is a network of cane tramways in the locality to transport the harvested cane to the sugar mills.[3]

History

The locality appears to take its name from the railway station, which in turn was named in 1913 and takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning creek.[4][5][6]

Education

There are no schools in Balberra. The nearest primary schools are in the neighbouring localities of Chelona and Alligator Creek. The nearest secondary schools are in Mackay and Sarina.[3]

References