Midge Point is a coastal town and rural locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Midge Point had a population of 435 people.[1]
| Midge Point Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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 Midge Point sunrise, 2013 | |||||||||||||||
  Midge Point | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 20°38′57″S 148°43′17″E / 20.6491°S 148.7213°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 435 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 14.55/km2 (37.68/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4799 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 29.9 km2 (11.5 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Mackay Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Whitsunday | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Dawson | ||||||||||||||
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Geography
editMidge Point is on the Whitsunday Coast and is the only settlement on the western shores of Repulse Bay (except the Laguna Quay Resort - Currently Closed) until Conway Beach via Proserpine, (Conway by boat 20 kilometres (12 mi) away) and nothing south until St Helens (by boat 24 kilometres (15 mi) away).[citation needed]
Midge Point is the headland (20°39′44″S 148°43′03″E / 20.6621°S 148.7176°E) from which the town takes its name.[4][5]
Midge Mountain (20°39′45″S 148°43′00″E / 20.6625°S 148.7167°E) rises to 60 metres (200 ft).[4][6]
Midge Point closest major town being Proserpine in the Whitsunday Region. Although the Bruce Highway does not pass through Midge Point, it passes through the adjacent town of Bloomsbury with a turnoff to Midge Point Road, offering the traveller a scenic drive to Proserpine via Laguna Quay's.[citation needed]
Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) is only 24.2 kilometres (15.0 mi) away.[citation needed]
History
editIn 1937 it was proposed to establish a town, called Midgetown, at Midge Point on 40 acres acquired from farmer A.P. Nielsen.[7] However, the town lots could not be sold until a road had been constructed, including a bridge over the O'Connell River.[8] In November 1938, the Queensland Government and the Pioneer Shire Council had not come to an agreement in relation to paying for the road, so the Queensland Government decided to release the land prior to the road's development.[9] On 23 December 1938, the first town land sites were sold in Midgeton.[10][11] At the time, Midgeton was described as follows:[12]
"Midgeton is noted for its large stretch of unbroken sandy beachand safe bathing. A grassy esplanade runs to high-water mark, and there is a plentiful supply of fresh water. In adjacent waters there are excellent fishing grounds and a number of good catches were reported during the holidays."
In 1973 the town's name was changed to Midge Point.[2]
Demographics
editIn the 2016 census, the locality of Midge Point had a population of 464 people.[13]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Midge Point had a population of 435 people.[1]
Education
editThere are no schools in Midge Point.[14] Bloomsbury State School is the nearest school to Midge Point.[14]
Amenities
editThe Mackay Regional Council operates a mobile library service on a fortnightly schedule at Nielsen Parade.[15][16] (currently not in service)
St Peter's Catholic Church is at 1478 Midge Point Road (20°38′42″S 148°42′33″E / 20.6449°S 148.7092°E). It is part of the Farleigh parish.[17]
Public Toilets - available on Neilson Parade, located on the beach front and also at Bundesen Ave Park.
BBQ facilities - available at Bundesen Avenue Park, Bundesen Ave and at the beach front, Neilson Pde.
The Point Tavern - 7 Conder Pde. Lunch and Dinner. Normal Pub hours.
Sealand Take Away and Cafe - 11 Conder Pde. All meals. Closed Tuesdays. Open 10.00am
Accommodation - Whitsundays Cabins - 12 Patterson St. Swimming pool, volleyball court. Undercover parking.
Travellers Rest Caravan and Camping Park - 29 Jackson St.
Public Telephone - available on Bundesen Ave, just on the left entry of the Park.
Post Office - 7 Conder Pde.
Attractions
editMidge Point offers tranquility and remoteness from major towns. Exceptional fishing and crabbing, with boat access via the beach by tractor. The beach is 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) long, south east facing with views to Gould island and Midge Island.The sandy low gradient shallow nature of the bay shore is great for families wanting a day out, kite flying and horse riding.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Midge Point (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Midge Point – town in Mackay Region (entry 22006)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Midge Point – locality in Mackay Region (entry 46807)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Midge Point – mountain in Mackay Region (entry 22007)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Midge Mountain – mountain in Mackay Region (entry 22005)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "New Beach Township". Daily Mercury. Vol. 71, no. 299. Queensland, Australia. 16 December 1937. p. 8. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "PROSERPINE NOTES". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. LIX, no. 313. Queensland, Australia. 31 December 1937. p. 10. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Town of Midgeton". The Proserpine Guardian. Vol. 33, no. 2149. Queensland, Australia. 12 November 1938. p. 2. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "MIDGETON ALLOTMENTS". Daily Mercury. Vol. 72, no. 279. Queensland, Australia. 23 November 1938. p. 8. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Midgeton Allotments". Daily Mercury. Vol. 72, no. 298. Queensland, Australia. 15 December 1938. p. 8. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "MIDGETON SEASIDE RESORT". Daily Mercury. Vol. 72, no. 310. Queensland, Australia. 30 December 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 27 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Midge Point (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ "Libraries: Contact/Opening Hours". Mackay Regional Council. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- ^ "Mobile Library Timetable 2017" (PDF). Mackay Regional Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- ^ "Farleigh". Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
External links
edit
Media related to Midge Point, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons