Bluewater, Queensland


Bluewater is a town and coastal suburb in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The coastal town of Bluewater Beach is also within the suburb. At the 2016 census, Bluewater recorded a population of 1,040 people.

Geography

Bluewater is approximately north-west of Townsville. As its name suggests, the town of Bluewater Beach is on the coast of the Coral Sea, while the town of Bluewater is inland on the Bruce Highway, which passes from south-east to the north-west through the locality.

History

Bluewater is situated in the traditional Nyawigi Aboriginal country. The origin of the suburb name Bluewater is from the adjacent Bluewater Creek that was shown on a district map from 1886.
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 was not until 1946 that land was first subdivided along Bluewater Beach, followed by subdivisions of Toolakea Beach and the Bluewater Township in the 1950s.
Bluewater Post Office opened by May 1960.
The suburb is popular with residents who prefer larger lot sizes and is home to a number of properties with hobby farms and horse adjustment. It is also home to solar farms.

Facilities

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. 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.
Other facilities in the Bluewater area include a community centre, a Girl Guides training & camping centre, a Scout hall, and Bluewater State School. There is also a Bluewater Caravan Park and Bluewater Medical Practice, however they are both technically located in Purono Park, on the Bruce Highway.
The Townsville City Council operate a mobile library service which visits the Community Centre at Bluewater on Monday afternoons.