Stonehenge, Queensland (Barcoo Shire)

Not to be confused with Stonehenge, Queensland (Toowoomba Region).

Stonehenge Queensland
Late afternoon, Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Coordinates	24.3525°S 143.2875°E / -24.3525; 143.2875 (Stonehenge (town centre))
Population	58 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	0.00376/km^2 (0.00973/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4730
Area	15,432.8 km^2 (5,958.6 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	66.9 km (42 mi) NNE of Jundah 155 km (96 mi) SW of Longreach 841 km (523 mi) W of Rockhampton 1,221 km (759 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Barcoo
State electorate(s)	Gregory
Federal division(s)	Maranoa
Localities around Stonehenge: Opalton Opalton Longreach Diamantina Lakes Stonehenge Longreach Farrars Creek Jundah Isisford

Stonehenge is an outback town and locality in the Shire of Barcoo, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Stonehenge had a population of 58 people.[1]

Geography

Stonehenge is in the Channel Country.

Nearby is one of three areas used to base the Australian Department of Defence's over-the-horizon radar system.

History

Stonehenge, 1931

Its name originates from when the area was a stopping point for bullock teams. A stone hut used by the bullock drivers to overnight in eventually fell into disuse, and the stone remains became known as "Stonehenge".[4]

The Stonehenge State School opened on 3 September 1900. The school closed in 1947 but subsequently reopened. It closed again on 1 February 1977 but reopened again on 27 January 1981.[5]

The Stonehenge Library opened in 2009.[6]

Demographics

At the 2006 census, Stonehenge and the surrounding area had a population of 106.[7]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Stonehenge had a population of 44 people.[8]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Stonehenge had a population of 58 people.[1]

Facilities

Stonehenge has a sports centre and community centre.[9]

The Barcoo Shire Council operates a public library at 9 Stratford Street.[10]

Education

Stonehenge State School is a government primary (early childhood-6) school at 27 Bulford Street (24.3507°S 143.2874°E / -24.3507; 143.2874 (Stonehenge State School)).[11][12] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of seven students with two teachers and four non-teaching staff (one full-time equivalent).[13] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of four students with two teachers (one full-time equivalent) and six non-teaching staff (one full-time equivalent).[14] The school motto is "Strong and Proud".[15]

There is no secondary school in Stonehenge. The nearest one is in Longreach 155 kilometres (96 mi) away; other options are boarding schools and distance education.[16]

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Stonehenge (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Stonehenge – town in Shire of Barcoo (entry 32495)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
3. "Stonehenge – locality in Shire of Barcoo (entry 49112)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
4. Action Graphics A Stonehenge without stones
5. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
6. "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
7. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Stonehenge (Barcoo Shire) (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
8. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Stonehenge (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
9. "Stonehenge". Barcoo Shire Council. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
10. "Stonehenge Library". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
11. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
12. "Stonehenge State School". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
13. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
14. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
15. "Stonehenge State School". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
16. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 10 August 2019.

Further reading

• McIvor, Roy (2010). Cockatoo: My Life in Cape York. Stories and Art. Roy McIvor. Magabala Books. Broome, Western Australia. ISBN 978-1-921248-22-1.