Bluewater, Queensland

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Bluewater
city = Townsville
state = Qld


caption =
lga =
postcode = 4818
est =
pop = 1,867
area =
propval =
stategov = Thuringowa
fedgov = Herbert
near-nw = Toomulla
near-n = Toolakea
near-ne = Saunders Beach
near-w = Rollingstone
near-e = Purono Park
near-sw = Bluewater Park
near-s = Alice River
near-se = Yabulu
dist1 =
location1=

Bluewater (coord|19|10|28|S|146|33|1|E|display=inline,title|region:AU_type:location) is a rural/residential suburb approximately 28 kilometres north [ [http://discover.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/placestogo/northernbeaches#Bluewater Discover Thuringowa - Northern Beaches] , accessed 9 June 2008.] of the Townsville and Thuringowa urban centres, in Queensland, Australia. The greater Bluewater area comprises three recognised districts - the Bluewater township itself (population 701), Bluewater Park (population 961), and Toolakea (population 205). As of the 2006 census, the population of the greater Bluewater area was 1,867. [ [http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/resources/293.pdf The New Townsville City: Townsville State Suburbs] , accessed 9 June 2008.]

History

Bluewater was settled in the late nineteenth century, and was close to the Purono rail siding, constructed in 1919 on the extension of the North Coast railway line from Townsville to Ingham. During World War II, Bluewater became campground to a number of service personnel whose responsibility it was to resist Japanese invasion.

It wasn't until 1946 that land was first subdivided along Bluewater Beach, followed by subdivisions of Toolakea Beach and the Bluewater Township in the 1950s. [ [http://library.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/resources/138.pdf Thuringowa Library Heritage Services: A History Of The Bluewater Area] , accessed 9 June 2008.]

Bluewater Today

Today, Bluewater is a thriving community containing a number of facilities and attractions. Bluewater Park is a popular tourist destination with designated free campsites, and is located close to the Bluewater Store, Bluewater Creek, and the newly developed Urban Forest and Fitness Trail. [ [http://discover.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/resources/190.pdf Thuringowa's Northern Beaches: Toolakea and Bluewater] , accessed 9 June 2008.] Toolakea and Bluewater Beach are popular recreational areas, and there is a boat ramp facility and waste transfer station towards the end of Bluewater Drive. [ [http://discover.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/placestogo/northernbeaches#Bluewater Discover Thuringowa: Northern Beaches] , accessed 9 June 2008.]

Other facilities in the Bluewater area include a community centre, an equestrian centre, a Girl Guides training & camping centre [ [http://www.frgg.org/gpage1.html Bluewater Training And Camping Centre] , accessed 9 June 2008.] , a Scout hall, and Bluewater State School [ [http://www.bluewatess.eq.edu.au/ Bluewater State School] , accessed 9 June 2008.] . There is also a Bluewater Caravan Park and Bluewater Medical Practice, however they are both technically located in Purono Park, on the Bruce Highway.

References