Balmoral Ridge is a rural locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] At the 2021 census, Balmoral Ridge had a population of 302 people.[1]

Balmoral Ridge Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Gerrard Lookout, 2015
Balmoral Ridge
Coordinates	26.7436°S 152.8916°E / -26.7436; 152.8916 (Balmoral Ridge (centre of locality))
Population	302 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	31.79/km2 (82.3/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4552
Area	9.5 km2 (3.7 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	29.5 km (18 mi) W of Caloundra 88.2 km (55 mi) N of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Glass House
Federal division(s)	Fisher
Suburbs around Balmoral Ridge: North Maleny Montville Eudlo North Maleny Balmoral Ridge Diamond Valley North Maleny Maleny Bald Knob

Geography

Balmoral Ridge is 82 kilometres (51 mi) north of Brisbane on the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.^{[citation needed]}

In the north the locality lies adjacent to Baroon Pocket Dam. Balmoral Lookout is located on a prominent ridge of the range along Maleny Montville Road. Obi Obi Creek marks a majority of the western boundary.^{[citation needed]}

History

Traditionally the district was informally known as Balmoral. However, in 1989 when the Caloundra City Council asked to make it an official place name, the Queensland Government was concerned about potential for confusion with Balmoral in the City of Brisbane and decided that it be officially named Balmoral Ridge.[3]

In the 2011 census, Balmoral Ridge recorded a population of 281 people,[4] 53.7% female and 46.3% male.[4] The median age of the Balmoral Ridge population was 55 years, 18 years above the national median of 37. 68.2% of people living in Balmoral Ridge were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 5.7%, New Zealand 4.3%, Scotland 1.4%, Finland 1.4%, Canada 1.1%. 87.8% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.8% Afrikaans, 1.8% German.[4]

At the 2016 census, Balmoral Ridge had a population of 278 people.[5]

Attractions

There are two lookouts in Balmoral Ridge, both on the Maleny Montville Road:

• Gerrard Lookout (26.7315°S 152.9019°E / -26.7315; 152.9019 (Gerrard Lookout))[6]
• Balmoral Lookout (26.7394°S 152.8972°E / -26.7394; 152.8972 (Balmoral Lookout))[6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Balmoral Ridge, Queensland.