Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Ayr

Ayr

Ayr, a large town in North Queensland, is located along the Bruce Highway just north of where it crosses the Burdekin River. While the upper reaches of the Burdekin region were settled by the 1860's, it wasnt until the mid 1870's that the lower reaches were farmed for sugar cane. Growth of sugar cane and the construction of the ensuing mills were sufficient for a new settlement on the north side of the Burdekin River. The town grew steadily as sugar cane farming increased with the region expanding further due to a successful irrigation scheme using underground water supplies - the completion of the Burdekin Dam in 1987 has given the region a consistent water supply. Although the sugar industry remains the backbone of the Ayr economy, the area is also well known for its mango production and in recent times tourism has been promoted. The town has since become the largest and the prominent commercial centre in the Burdekin region. Of interest in the area includes the Ayr CBD (vibrant town centre with a large shopping precinct), Alva Beach (13km north-east), the Burdekin River bridge (also known as the Silver Link - 5km south), Gubulla Munda (giant snake) in Plantation Creek Park, Burdekin Dam (Lake Dalrymple - 130km south) and Bowling Green Bay National Park (15km north).

Population: 8,100
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Named after the Scottish town of Ayr.
Pronunciation: Air
Postcode: 4807
Local Government: Burdekin Shire Council
Location: 1267km north west of Brisbane, 87km south-east of Townsville
Main Watercourses: Burdekin River
Main Roads: Bruce Highway
Radio Stations (Music): Hot FM (103.1), 4TO-FM (102.3), Mix FM (106.3), Zinc Rocks (100.7), Triple J (105.5), 4TO (AM 774)

Photos from Ayr (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Southern approach on the Bruce Hwy to Ayr, looking north from Kilrie Rd (2007).

Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Drysdale St, Ayr (2007).

Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Railway St, Ayr (2007).

And again, this time looking along the southbound lane, Ayr (2007).

Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east as it approaches Young St, Ayr (2007).

And again, this time looking along the southbound lane, Ayr (2007).

War Memorial and clock tower at the Queen St/Young St intersection, Ayr (2007).

Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east between Young and Edwards Streets, Ayr (2007).

Ornamental Gardens outside the Ayr Theatre (2007).

Looking north-east along Queen St from Edwards St, Ayr (2007).

Looking south-east along Edwards St from Queen St, Ayr (2007).

Edwards St (Bruce Hwy), looking south-east from Graham St, Ayr (2007).

Wickham St, looking north-east from Edwards St with the water tower in the distance, Ayr (2007).

Edwards St (Bruce Hwy), looking south-east from Burke St, Ayr (2007).

Burke St (Alva Beach Rd), looking north-east from Edwards St, Ayr (2007).

Plantation Park, looking south, Ayr (2007).

Giant snake (Gubulla Munda) in Plantation Park, Ayr (2007).

Picturesque Anzac Park, looking north-west from Wickham St, Ayr (2007).

Heading south on the Bruce Hwy, 5km north of Ayr with typical sugar cane scenery in the surrounding district. (2007)

The impressive Burdekin River bridge, heading south between Ayr and Home Hill (2007).

	Southern approach on the Bruce Hwy to Ayr, looking north from Kilrie Rd (2007).
	Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Drysdale St, Ayr (2007).
	Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Railway St, Ayr (2007).
	And again, this time looking along the southbound lane, Ayr (2007).
	Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east as it approaches Young St, Ayr (2007).
	And again, this time looking along the southbound lane, Ayr (2007).
	War Memorial and clock tower at the Queen St/Young St intersection, Ayr (2007).
	Queen Street (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east between Young and Edwards Streets, Ayr (2007).
	Ornamental Gardens outside the Ayr Theatre (2007).
	Looking north-east along Queen St from Edwards St, Ayr (2007).
	Looking south-east along Edwards St from Queen St, Ayr (2007).
	Edwards St (Bruce Hwy), looking south-east from Graham St, Ayr (2007).
	Wickham St, looking north-east from Edwards St with the water tower in the distance, Ayr (2007).
	Edwards St (Bruce Hwy), looking south-east from Burke St, Ayr (2007).
	Burke St (Alva Beach Rd), looking north-east from Edwards St, Ayr (2007).
	Plantation Park, looking south, Ayr (2007).
	Giant snake (Gubulla Munda) in Plantation Park, Ayr (2007).
	Picturesque Anzac Park, looking north-west from Wickham St, Ayr (2007).
	Heading south on the Bruce Hwy, 5km north of Ayr with typical sugar cane scenery in the surrounding district. (2007)
	The impressive Burdekin River bridge, heading south between Ayr and Home Hill (2007).