Georgetown, Queensland
| Georgetown Queensland |
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 Entry into Georgetown |
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 Georgetown
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| Population: | 254[1] | ||||||
| Postcode: | 4871 | ||||||
| Elevation: | 292 m (958 ft) [2] | ||||||
| LGA: | Shire of Etheridge | ||||||
| State electorate: | Mount Isa | ||||||
| Federal Division: | Kennedy | ||||||
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Georgetown is a town on the Etheridge River in Far North Queensland, Australia. The Gulf Developmental Road passes through the town, linking Cairns - 412 km to the east - and Normanton - 301 km to the west. Georgetown is the administrative headquarters of the Shire of Etheridge, a local government area encompassing the nearby settlements of Mount Surprise, Forsayth and Einasleigh. At the 2006 census, Georgetown had a population of 254.[1]
The Etheridge River was the site of a gold rush in the 1870s; the town of Georgetown was established on the site of the diggings. Originally known by the name Etheridge, the town's name was changed in 1871 to honour an early gold commissioner, Howard St George.[1] By 1900 grazing had replaced gold mining as the region's primary source of income.
Georgetown is one of the real locations mentioned several times in the novel "A Town Like Alice" by Nevil Shute.
[edit] Facilities
Georgetown has a public library, racecourse, swimming pool and a tourist information centre and camping/caravan park.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Georgetown (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL322200&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology
- ^ "Georgetown". Centre for the Government of Queensland. http://queenslandplaces.com.au/georgetown. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
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