Marlborough, Queensland

Marlborough
Queensland
Marlborough
Coordinates 22°49′S 149°53′E / 22.817°S 149.883°ECoordinates: 22°49′S 149°53′E / 22.817°S 149.883°E
Population 355 (2006 census)[1]
Established 1856
Postcode(s) 4705
Location
  • 721 km (448 mi) N of Brisbane
  • 106 km (66 mi) NW of Rockhampton
LGA(s) Shire of Livingstone
State electorate(s) Mirani
Federal Division(s) Capricornia

Marlborough is a small township located 106 kilometres (66 mi) north west of the city of Rockhampton in central Queensland, Australia. The town lies on the Bruce Highway. It is within the local government area of Shire of Livingstone (between 2008 and 2013, it was within the Rockhampton Region). At the 2006 census, Marlborough and the surrounding area had a population of 355.[1]

The town, first established in 1856, is a small service centre for the surrounding area, and one of a number of fuelling points on an otherwise isolated stretch of highway. To the south lies the Kunwarara Magnesite mine, which works one of the world's largest supplies of the mineral. The town has a school with only a few students. They compete against different schools in the area such as Clarke Creek State School, Milman State School and School of Distance Education. They compete in swimming and athletic carnivals which they normally host, having a 16-metre pool and a grassy oval. Marlborough is famous for producing the world's finest chrysoprase, a semi-precious gem once coveted by Alexander the Great and Cleopatra. The small but high-grade deposit is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-south-west of the township and is universally regarded as the most valuable find in the world.

History

The post office at Marlborough opened on 1 January 1861.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Marlborough (Livingstone Shire) (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  2. Porter, Harry S. (1954) Queensland Numeral Cancellations, p. 13. Melbourne: The Hawthorn Press