Balgal Beach, Queensland

Balgal Beach is {{convert|59|km|mi}} north of Townsville, Queensland, Australia, and {{convert|64|km|mi}} south of Ingham, Queensland.

The locality is bounded to the north-east and east by the Coral Sea and to the north-west and west by Rollingstone Creek, which flows into the Coral Sea at the northernmost point of the locality, where the town of Balgal is located ({{Coord|-19.0142|146.4069|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Balgal (town)}}).

The coastal strip features a long sandy beach, also known as Balgal Beach.{{Cite QPN|44526|Balgal Beach|beach in the City of Townsville|access-date=27 July 2023}}

The North Coast railway line forms part of the south-western boundary of the locality. Although the Bruce Highway does not enter the locality, it is adjacent to the south-west boundary of the locality where it has its junction with Balgal Beach Drive (the major thoroughfare in the locality extending to the town of Balgal).

Balgal Beach was originally part of the Armidale pastoral lease, settled in 1883 by John Lambert before later changing name to Rollingstone.[http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/AUS-NQ/1999-01/0917058669 Roads Out Of Townsville, North Queensland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014061801/http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/AUS-NQ/1999-01/0917058669 |date=14 October 2012 }}, accessed 1 November 2010. The area of coastline to the north of Rollingstone was named Balgal Beach in 1947, when the first dwellings were constructed. The name "Balgal" was derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "stone."

The land in this area was predominantly used for farming and grazing, and remained rural until the mid-1980s when the allocation of 500 rural/residential blocks at the Mystic Sands Estate saw the population increase nearly twofold.[http://queenslandplaces.com.au/balgal-beach Balgal Beach] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118073439/http://queenslandplaces.com.au/balgal-beach |date=18 November 2010 }}, accessed 1 November 2010.

Mystic Sands Golf Resort opened in 1993.{{Cite web |title=Mystic Sands Golf Resort - North Queensland |url=https://mysticsands.com.au/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Mystic Sands Golf Resort |language=en-AU |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301021157/https://mysticsands.com.au/ |url-status=live }}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, Balgal Beach had a population of 743 people, a 30.3% increase since the 1996 census.[http://profile.id.com.au/templates/profile/Clients/286Thur/PDF/110.pdf 2006 and 2001 Enumerated Census information for Balgal Beach] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008132817/http://profile.id.com.au/templates/profile/Clients/286Thur/PDF/110.pdf |date=8 October 2011 }}, accessed 1 November 2010.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC35137|name=Balgal Beach (SSC)|quick=on|access-date=2 June 2024}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Balgal Beach has a populaition of 849 people.{{Census 2011 AUS| id= SSC30087 |name= Balgal Beach (State Suburb)| accessdate=17 February 2017|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Balgal Beach had a population of 966 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30125|name=Balgal Beach (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Balgal Beach had a population of 998 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30125|name=Balgal Beach (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

There are no schools in Balgal Beach. The nearest government primary school is Rollingstone State School in neighbouring Rollingstone to the west. The nearest government secondary school is Northern Beaches State High School in Deeragun to the south-east.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=27 July 2023}}

Located a few kilometres north of the suburb of Rollingstone, Balgal Beach today is a popular destination for recreational activities such as boating, fishing and swimming. Facilities at Balgal Beach include a patrolled stinger enclosure from November to May, a general store/cafe, holiday units and designated camping areas.{{Cite web |date=1 October 2007 |title=Northern Beaches |url=http://discover.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/placestogo/northernbeaches |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719214453/http://discover.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/placestogo/northernbeaches |archive-date=2008-07-19 |access-date=27 July 2023 |website=Thuringowa City Council}}

Balgal Beach Units is located at 284 Ocean Parade, Balgal Beach. Established for over 40 years as a well loved holiday destination. Offering self contained units and a pool.

Mystic Sands Golf Resort is at 139 Mystic Ave ({{coord|-19.0432|146.4210|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Mystic Sands Golf Resort}}).{{Cite web |date=17 November 2020 |title=Building points - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/buildings-queensland-series/resource/7f713bcb-e884-4edc-a292-9b6dfa955d71 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125050838/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/buildings-queensland-series/resource/7f713bcb-e884-4edc-a292-9b6dfa955d71 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}} It offers a 9-hole golf course with 18 tees, lawn bowls, swimming pool, tennis courts, an RV camp, restaurant and bar.{{Cite web |title=Mystic Sands 9 Hole Golf Course {{!}} Townsville NQ |url=https://mysticsands.com.au/golf-course/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Mystic Sands Golf Resort |language=en-AU |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301021339/https://mysticsands.com.au/golf-course/ |url-status=live }}

There is a boat ramp and pontoon at the northern end of the Esplanade on the south bank of the mouth of Rollingstone Creek ({{coord|-19.0100|146.4047|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Boat ramp and pontoon}}). It is managed by the Townsville City Council.{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Recreational Boating Facilities Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/recreational-boating-facilities-queensland/resource/60ce6cc3-af0c-4806-bc8c-ab0ee981819c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122210008/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/recreational-boating-facilities-queensland/resource/60ce6cc3-af0c-4806-bc8c-ab0ee981819c |archive-date=22 November 2020 |access-date=22 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}} It provides access to Palm Island and Orpheus Island National Park.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Citation|title=Thirty-three miles to Rollingstone : a short history of Rollingstone and Balgal|publication-date=2003|author1=Vidonja Balanzategui, Bianka|author2=Thuringowa (Qld.). Council|author3=Queensland. Environmental Protection Agency|publisher=City of Thuringowa|isbn=978-0-9577305-7-1}}

{{commons category|Balgal Beach, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|title=Balgal Beach|url=http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/balgal-beach|work=Queensland Places|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland}}

{{Suburbs of Townsville}}

Category:Suburbs of Townsville