River Ranch, Queensland

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River Ranch
Queensland
Calliope River Historical Village kiosk (in the former Yarwun railway station), 2014
River Ranch is located in Queensland
River Ranch
River Ranch
Coordinates23°58′33″S 151°09′27″E / 23.9758°S 151.1575°E / -23.9758; 151.1575 (River Ranch (centre of locality))
Population269 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density25.14/km2 (65.1/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4680
Area10.7 km2 (4.1 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Gladstone Region
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Flynn
Suburbs around River Ranch:
West Stowe West Stowe Burua
West Stowe River Ranch Calliope
Calliope Calliope Calliope

River Ranch is a rural locality in the Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, River Ranch had a population of 269 people.[1]

Geography

The Calliope River forms part of the western boundary before flowing through to form part of the eastern boundary.[3] Calliope Crossing is a ford over the river (23°57′39″S 151°09′18″E / 23.96083°S 151.15500°E / -23.96083; 151.15500 (Calliope Crossing)).[4]

The Bruce Highway passes through the north of the locality.

History

In 1930, a bridge was built at the Calliope Crossing over the Calliope River to replace the dangerous stone causeway which was under the water and was slimy and dangerous. When the weather was bad, the causeway could not be used, necessitating a 20-mile (32 km) deviation to avoid it.[5] The bridge carried the Bruce Highway until it was rerouted further north and crosses the river at Burua.[6]

The centenary celebrations of the Shire of Calliope in 1979 created a collection of historic material, which led to the establishment of the Port Curtis Historical Society. As a new bridge was being constructed for the Bruce Highway to cross the Calliope River, the diversion of the highway to the new bridge created a parcel of land that the shire proposed to use as a historical village. Following site works, the village commenced operation in 1983 with the arrival of the first building, the Ambrose railway station.[7]

Demographics

In the 2011 census, River Ranch had a population of 313 people.[8]

In the 2016 census, River Ranch had a population of 357 people.[9]

In the 2021 census, River Ranch had a population of 269 people.[1]

Education

There are no schools in River Ranch. The nearest government primary and secondary schools are Calliope State School and Calliope State High School, both in neighbouring Calliope to the south-east.[10]

Amenities

There is a boat ramp via Old Bruce Highway on the north bank of the Calliope River (23°57′41″S 151°09′18″E / 23.9614°S 151.1549°E / -23.9614; 151.1549 (Calliope, Bruce Highway boat ramp)). It is managed by the Gladstone Regional Council.[11] It is adjacent to the Old Bruce Highway Fishing Bridge (23°57′39″S 151°09′18″E / 23.96086°S 151.15509°E / -23.96086; 151.15509 (Old Bruce Highway Fishing Bridge)), which has been closed to traffic since 2009, but is still accessible for fishing.[12]

Attractions

The Calliope River Historical Village is at 50951 Bruce Highway, but accessed from the Old Bruce Highway where it crosses the Calliope River (23°57′33″S 151°09′21″E / 23.9591°S 151.1557°E / -23.9591; 151.1557 (Calliope River Historical Village)).[13]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to River Ranch, Queensland.
  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "River Ranch (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "River Ranch – locality in Gladstone Region (entry 46619)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ "River Ranch, Queensland" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Calliope Crossing – ford in the Gladstone Region (entry 5771)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  5. ^ "NEW BRIDGE AT CALLIOPE CROSSING". The Central Queensland Herald. Vol. 1, no. 50. Queensland, Australia. 11 December 1930. p. 45. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Layers: Locality; Road and rail; Railways; Railway stations". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  7. ^ Visitor Guide booklet. Port Curtis Historical Society.
  8. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "River Ranch (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 July 2014. Edit this at Wikidata
  9. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "River Ranch (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  10. ^ "Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Recreational Boating Facilities Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  12. ^ Lanzon, Ren (26 January 2009). "Bridge over calliope river is laid to rest". Gladstone Observer. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Calliope River Historical Village". Port Curtis Historical Society. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.