Attractive rural service town with an economy centred on the production of sugar cane. The Burdekin River flows on the south of the town and it is a primary source of water for the Burdekin community.
The Clock Tower is on Queen Street, the main's street town. Photo by Author.
Ayr is located 1,270 km north of Brisbane and 88 km south of Townsville. Ayr has many interesting buildings, dining options and places to visit.
There is an interesting Heritage Town Walk in Ayr. Ayr brochure lists a total of twenty places to see within two blocks of Queen Street, the town's main street. You can obtain the brochure in Burdekin Information Centre.
At number 15 is the
Clock Tower, which dominates Queen Street. The Clock Tower is dedicated to John Drysdale, who was a pioneer of the local sugar industry.
The Clock Tower in Queen Street in the evening. Photo by Author.
At number 18 is T
he Living Lagoon Sculptures located on Queen Street, in the forecourt of the Burdekin Theatre Complex. The significant bronze and granite sculptures were created in 1985 by Stephan Walker. The sculptures are a tribute to the native flora and fauna and recognise the importance of water from the Burdekin River.
The Living Lagoon details. Photo by Author.
The Living Lagoon details. Photo by Author.
The Living Lagoon details. Photo by Author.
Ayr is very suggestive in the evening.
Queen Street in Ayr in the evening. Photo by Author.
is at 103 Queen Street in Ayr, Qld, 4807. It is a great place to have dinner. Phone: (07) 4783 2202.
Queen's Hotel is a great place to have dinner, desert included. Photo by Author.
is a very attractive and large park in Ayr. It is located on the Bruce Highway in Ayr. It features a beautiful playground with different swings, a fortress, rock and rope climbing; there are walking trails and it is rich in well looked after vegetation.
Plantation Nature Play Park. Photo by Author.
Plantation Place Park in Ayr is all well landscaped. Photo by Author.
When it is time for a coffee and a snack, just call into
Alfies Bakery. Alfies is a local family business since 1926 supplying the Burdekin community with fresh bread, pastries, cakes, slices and specialties. Alfies is open 7 days a week.
Alfies Bakery is ideal for a hot drink and something that goes well with coffee. Photo by Author.
Sweet pastries at Alfies Bakery. Photo by Author.
Inside Alfies Bakery there are tables and chairs to enjoy your coffee. Photo By Author.
is located in Plantation Park, Ayr, Qld 4807. Phone number is (07) 47835988. The centre offers information, maps, brochures, itinerary and free WiFi internet access.
A colourful fountain in Queen Street. Photo by Author.
I travelled in North Queensland with my family in autumn, a perfect season for visiting all the wonders in this part of the country. We decided to drive all the way up and we took an accommodation for a few days in Majors Creek, via Airbnb.
Majors Creek is a locality split between the City of Townsville and the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland. It is about one hour drive west of Ayr.
We stayed in a lovely rural place, where a shed had been converted into a house with all the facilities. The deal included a super cuddly Russian Blue cat named Kevin, who has claimed the house and he has taken to welcome the Airbnb guests.
Kevin, a super cuddly Russian Blue. Photo by Author.
The house was surrounded by the farm and mango plantations, with lots of green and wildlife, especially birds and wallabies. In front of the house was Bowling Green Bay Conservation Park.
Bowling Green Bay Conservation Park in the background. Photo by Author.
Sometimes in the evening, it was possible to hear the howling of the dingoes. The landlady, Letitia, told us it was possible to see wild pigs too but we never come across them.
The farm was also very interesting having chickens, ducks, a gypsy cow, goats and a small moody horse. Letitia has taken to raise a baby wallaby who has lost the mother. The baby wallaby was called George and he was terrific!
George was not the first wallaby Letitia has risen by hand, there was another one, now living in the wild.
George has been taken care by Letitia. Photo by Author.
A quiet place where you can relax and listen to the nature around the farm in Majors Creek. Photo by Author.
Just 15 minutes drive north east of Ayr is
Alva Beach. This village is made up of a handful of houses but the Yongala Shipwreck that lies on the bottom of the sea is famous worldwide for great scuba diving.
Located in Alva Beach is Yongala Dive, a Padi 5 stars Dive Resort. Yongala Dive offers a higher quality diving experience with professional service and staff. Yongala Dive is located at Alva Beach, just half an hour by boat to the Yongala Wreck site.
The Dive Centre is located at Beach Tourist Park, 20-36 Braby St, Alva QLD 4807. Phone: (07) 4783 1519
The tractor is launching the boat on the water. Photo by Author.
The scuba divers take their place in the boat. Photo by Author.
The sea at Alva Beach in an autumn morning. Photo by Author.
An entire army of soldier crabs quickly retreating in the sand. Photo by Author.
About 1 hour and 20 minutes drive, 117 km, south of Ayr is
The Big Mango. The Big Mango is located at the
Bowen Information Centre, on the Bruce Hwy, 4 km south of Bowen.
The Big Mango is 10 metres high and represents the delectable fruit that grows in large plantations in North Queensland. The Information Centre can provide information, brochures, maps and souvenirs. There is also local mango sorbet. There is plenty of space for parking and your dog is welcome too.
The Big Mango is 10 m high. Photo by Author.
There are sculptures made up with driftwood and recycled materials. Photo by Author.
The beautiful landscapes visible from the Bruce Hwy on the way to Ayr, just after The Big Mango. Photo by Author.
Queens Gardens
www.weekendnotes.com/queens-gardens-townsville
Castle Hill, Townsville
www.weekendnotes.com/castle-hill-townsville/
Little Crystal Creek and Little Crystal Creek Bridge, Paluma Area
www.weekendnotes.com/little-crystal-creek
McClellands Lookout, Cloudy Creek Track, Witt's Lookout, Paluma Village
www.weekendnotes.com/paluma-range-national-park-townsville
A Journey in Paluma Village
www.weekendnotes.com/a-journey-to-paluma-village
Andree Griffin Hike, Paluma Village
www.weekendnotes.com/andree-griffin-hike-paluma-village
Birthday Creek Falls Hike, Paluma National Parkhttps://www.weekendnotes.com/birthday-creek-falls-hike-paluma-national-park/
Jourama Falls Trail, Paluma National Park
www.weekendnotes.com/jourama-falls-trail-paluma-national-park
Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park
www.weekendnotes.com/wallaman-falls-girringun-national-park
TYTO Wetlands
www.weekendnotes.com/tyto-wetlands
JK's Delicatessen: Italian Deli and Cafe
www.weekendnotes.com/jks-delicatessen-ingham
Mercer Lane Mosaic
www.weekendnotes.com/mercer-lane-ingham
Reference
www.aussietowns.com.au/town/ayr-qld www.facebook.com/QueensHotelAyr/ www.visitburdekin.com.au/directory-record/198/plantation-nature-play www.yongaladive.com.au/about www.facebook.com/myAlfies/ www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b2648baeeeaaf773cf78cb-big-mango
