Aratula

Aratula is approximately {{convert|52|km|mi|-1}} by road southwest of Ipswich.{{Google maps|access-date=2 September 2022|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Ipswich,+Queensland+4305/Aratula,+Queensland+4309/@-27.7971113,152.3746643,77942m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b96b5cb23cec917:0x502a35af3de8c10!2m2!1d152.7608421!2d-27.614614!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b9720b46d15ec3f:0x400eef17f20dcb0!2m2!1d152.548611!2d-27.981389!3e0|title=Ipswich to Aratula}} The Cunningham Highway enters the locality from the north-east (Fassifern), passes through the town, and exits to the south (Mount Edwards).

Warrill Creek enters the locality from the west (Tarome), flows across the north of the locality (and north of the town), exiting to the east (Morwincha). It is a tributary of the Bremer River, then the Brisbane River, flowing into Moreton Bay.

File:First Aratula State School, circa 1915.jpg

The area was originally known as Carter's Gate, but the name was changed to reflect the railway station name of Aratula.{{cite news|title=New Name for Receiving-Office|newspaper=Queensland Times|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113059831|date=14 Feb 1912|access-date=12 Aug 2014|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520231502/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/113059831|url-status=live}}

Carter's Gate Provisional School opened on 29 May 1911. It became a State School on 9 January 1913. The name was changed in August 1913 to Aratula State School.{{Cite QldSchool|accessdate=10 May 2014}}{{cite QSA Agency|4792|Aratula State School|12 May 2014}}{{cite web|title=Our school|url=https://aratulass.eq.edu.au/Ourschool/Pages/Ourschool.aspx|publisher=Aratula State School|access-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511221933/https://aratulass.eq.edu.au/Ourschool/Pages/Ourschool.aspx|archive-date=11 May 2014 |url-status=live}} The school burned on either 27 or 28 February 1916; the fire was regarded as suspicious as nearby Mount Fraser State School had burned down four months earlier.{{cite news |date=2 March 1916 |title=Aratula State School |volume=LVI |page=4 (DAILY.) |newspaper=Queensland Times |issue=9480 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113140026 |accessdate=2 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606112121/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/113140026 |url-status=live }} The school celebrated its centenary in May 2011.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-09 |title=Our school |url=https://aratulass.eq.edu.au/our-school |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=Aratula State School |language=en |archive-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902080330/https://aratulass.eq.edu.au/our-school |url-status=live }}File:St Pauls Lutheran Church, Aratula, 2005.JPGSt Pauls Lutheran Church opened on 28 March 1914.{{cite news |date=26 March 1914 |title=Advertising |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120423264 |accessdate=2 April 2025 |newspaper=Queensland Times |location=Queensland, Australia |page=1 (Daily) |via=National Library of Australia |volume=LVI |issue=8977}} It closed in 1997.{{cite web|url=http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Photos/Aratula_Lutheran/224_2442.JPG|title=St Pauls Lutheran Church Aratula Historical Cemetery|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202306/http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Photos/Aratula_Lutheran/224_2442.JPG|url-status=live}} The church building still stands at 57 Elizabeth Street ({{coord|-27.9807|152.5427|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Pauls Lutheran Church, Aratula}}). There is a Lutheran cemetery behind the church; the first burial was Hermann Gustav Muller in March 1916.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113139156|title=Aratula News.|date=8 April 1916|newspaper=Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954)|access-date=12 May 2014|publisher=National Library of Australia|location=Ipswich) (Qld.|page=2 Edition: DAILY|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520231508/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/113139156|url-status=live}}

The first stage of the Mount Edwards railway line reached Engelsburg (now Kalbar) on 17 April 1916,{{cite book|last=Kerr|first=John|title=Triumph of narrow gauge : a history of Queensland Railways|date=1990|publisher=Boolarong Publications|isbn=978-0-86439-102-5|page=224}} but it was not until 7 October 1922 that the second and final stage of the line opened, including the Aratula railway station on the eastern end of Sawmill Road ({{Coord|-27.98252|152.55450|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Aratula railway station (former)}}).{{Cite web|date=1955|title=Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m38|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-2mile-qld-2m38-admin-bdy-1955.jpg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621054045/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-2mile-qld-2m38-admin-bdy-1955.jpg|archive-date=21 June 2021|access-date=4 January 2022|publisher=Queensland Government|type=Map}}{{Queensland Globe|access-date=2 September 2022}} The Mount Edwards railway line closed on 1 November 1960.{{Cite web|author=Southern Downs Steam Railway|date=2009|title='Via recta' - The line that never was|url=http://www.southerndownssteamrailway.com.au/historical_info/via_recta.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912090308/http://www.southerndownssteamrailway.com.au/historical_info/via_recta.php|archive-date=12 September 2009|accessdate=25 October 2009}}{{Cite web|author=QR Limited|title=Rail as foremost mode of travel|url=http://www.corporate.qr.com.au/history/competition/competition.asp|url-status=dead|accessdate=25 October 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912170503/http://www.corporate.qr.com.au/history/competition/competition.asp|archivedate=12 September 2009|df=dmy-all}}

File:Kalbar Baptist Hall (formerly Aratula Baptist Church), 2005.jpg

Aratula Baptist Church opened on Thursday 25 October 1923.{{cite news |date=31 October 1923 |title=BAPTIST CHURCH AT ARATULA. |page=14 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |issue=20,522 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20637593 |accessdate=2 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606112121/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20637593 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=3 November 1923 |title=West Moreton News |volume=LXV |page=12 (DAILY) |newspaper=Queensland Times |issue=11,551 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125414764 |accessdate=2 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606112122/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125414764 |url-status=live }} It was on the western side of the Cunningham Highway (approx {{Coord|-27.9818|152.5479|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Aratula Baptist Church (former, approx)}}).{{Cite web |date=1927 |title=Flinders |url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/topo_scans/topo-map-1mile-military-line-colour-flinders-1927-1.jpg |access-date=2 September 2022 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map |archive-date=29 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529024643/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/topo_scans/topo-map-1mile-military-line-colour-flinders-1927-1.jpg |url-status=live }} After the church's closure,{{When|date=September 2022}} the church building was relocated in 1972 to the Kalbar Baptist Church to be used as a church hall.{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=Aratula Baptist Church |url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=6962 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=Queensland religious places database |archive-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902033108/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=6962 |url-status=live }}

Aratula Post Office opened around 1925 (a receiving office had been open since 1912) and closed in 1987.{{Cite web | last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Phoenix Auctions | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&filter=*Aratula* | access-date = 14 February 2021 | archive-date = 20 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220520231502/http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&filter=%2AAratula%2A | url-status = live }}

File:Aratula School of Arts, 2005.jpg

On 16 April 1926, the Aratula School of Arts was officially opened by Ernest Bell, the local Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. A local public holiday was given to celebrate the occasion.{{cite news |date=4 March 1926 |title=Goolman Council |volume=LXVI |page=3 (DAILY.) |newspaper=Queensland Times |issue=12,367 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118620601 |accessdate=2 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606112122/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118620601 |url-status=live }} The School of Arts was at 26-28 Elizabeth Street ({{Coord|-27.9806|152.5461|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Aratula School of Arts (former)}}). The building was sold into private ownership in December 2013 for $115,000.{{Cite web |title=26-28 Elizabeth Street, Aratula, Qld 4309 |url=https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-aratula-112962203 |access-date=2 September 2022 |website=Realestate.com.au |archive-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902075739/https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-aratula-112962203 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=An opportunity too good to miss.@ $185000 |url=https://www.bartholomew.com.au/5390445/ |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=Bartholomew and Co Auctioneers, Real Estate & Livestock Agents |language=en-US |archive-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902075744/https://www.bartholomew.com.au/5390445/ |url-status=live }}

St Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church was dedicated on Saturday 18 December 1954 by Archbishop of Brisbane Reginald Halse. The first celebration of holy communication was held on St Stephen's Day (Sunday 26 December).{{cite web|url=http://www.bhanglican.org.au/about-us/aratula|title=St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Aratula|publisher=Anglican Parish of Boonah-Harrisville|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511225333/http://www.bhanglican.org.au/about-us/aratula|archive-date=11 May 2014|access-date=12 May 2014}}{{Cite web|date=2019|title=Year Book|url=https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Year-Book-Volume-II-Feb-2020.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915033326/https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Year-Book-Volume-II-Feb-2020.pdf|archive-date=15 September 2020|access-date=15 September 2020|publisher=Anglican Archdiocese of Brisbane|page=133|volume=2}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Aratula had a population of 505 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30050 |name=Aratula (State Suburb) |accessdate=12 July 2013 |quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Aratula had a population of 532 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30075|name=Aratula (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}} The locality contained 150 households, in which 50.5% of the population were males and 49.5% of the population were females with a median age of 42, 4 years above the national average. The average weekly household income was $1,187, $251 below the national average.

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Aratula had a population of 609 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30076|name=Aratula (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

Aratula has the following heritage sites:

• 25 Elizabeth Street: St Stephen's Anglican Church{{cite web|title=Local Heritage Register|url=http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/documents/717563/41748830/Scenic%20Rim%20Local%20Heritage%20Register.pdf|publisher=Scenic Rim Regional Council|access-date=9 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924094854/http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/documents/717563/41748830/Scenic%20Rim%20Local%20Heritage%20Register.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

Aratula State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 41 Elizabeth Street ({{coord|-27.9808|152.5441|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Aratula State School}}).{{cite web|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|title=State and non-state school details|date=9 July 2018|publisher=Queensland Government|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archive-date=21 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://aratulass.eq.edu.au|title=Aratula State School|access-date=26 March 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215025638/https://aratulass.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 44 students with 7 teachers (4 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=22 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018}}

There are no secondary schools in Aratula. The nearest government secondary school is Boonah State High School in Boonah to the east.

File:St Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Aratula, 2005.JPGSt Stephens the Martyr Anglican Church is at 25 Elizabeth Street ({{coord|-27.9813|152.5462|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Stephens Anglican Church, Aratula}}).

Local attractions include nearby Moogerah Peaks National Park, Main Range National Park, Lake Moogerah and ballooning.

Aratula is a common rest-stop for travellers coming eastward across the Great Dividing Range. There is a caravan park and a hotel just off the highway.

{{Portal|Queensland}}

• Kalbar, Queensland

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{{reflist}}

• {{Citation |author1=Krause |first=Herbert A. |title=A souvenir of Aratula... : a review of its history and development, 1827-1961 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/12498622 |publication-date=1961 |publisher=Aratula Jubilee Committee}}
• {{Citation |author1=Pohlner |first=Howard J |title=St. John's Lutheran Church Engelsburg-Kalbar centenary book, including history of Mutdapilly Reserve, Teviotville, Aratula, Milbong |year=1980 |publication-date=1980 |publisher=Centenary Committee, St. Johns Lutheran Church |isbn=978-0-9598469-1-1}}

{{commons category-inline|Aratula, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-aratula-1974.jpg|title=Town map of Aratula|date=1974|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120502153947/http://www.australianlocations.com.au/queensland/aratula.html Aratula - Queensland]

{{Scenic Rim Region}}

{{South East Queensland}}

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Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Scenic Rim Region

Category:Localities in Queensland