Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Proserpine

Proserpine

Proserpine, located along the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Townsville, is surrounded by fields of sugar cane and is the administrative centre for the Whitsunday region. The area was first explored by George Dalrymple in the late 1850's en-route to Bowen - the region's fertility attracted settlers, who moved into the area as soon as the early 1860's with sugar cane being the dominant industry. A town was formed shortly after the first sugar mill was established near the Proserpine River. Although sugar remains the key industry for Proserpine, in recent times the construction of the Peter Faust Dam has promoted Barramundi fishing and the town has become the administrative centre and gateway to the Whitsunday region as the towns hosts the shire offices and the region's Airport. Nevertheless, the town retains a quiet, working class feel, offering an interesting contrast to the nearby tourist centre of Airlie Beach. Of interest in the area includes the Proserpine Sugar Mill (prominent structure in town), Peter Faust Dam (25km north-west), Cedar Creek Falls (14km north-east) with Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands in close proximity (30m north-east).

Population: 3,400
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Named after the Roman name for the Greek Goddess of Fertility (Proserpina).
Pronunciation: Pros-er-pine
Postcode: 4800
Local Government: Whitsunday Regional Council
Location: 1086km north west of Brisbane, 118km north-west of Mackay
Main Watercourses: Proserpine River
Main Roads: Bruce Highway , Shute Harbour Road
Radio Stations (Music): 4MK-FM (101.9), Hot FM (107.9 & 94.7), Sea FM (98.7 & 92.3), 4TO-FM (98.3), 4AA-FM (91.5), Triple J (99.5)

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

Southern approach on the Bruce Hwy to Proserpine (2007).

Main Street (Bruce Hwy), heading west from Glen Isla Rd, Proserpine (2007).

View west at the junction of Main Street and Bruce Hwy, Proserpine (2007).

Main Street, looking west from Blair St, Proserpine (2007).

Main St, looking west from Chapman St, Proserpine (2007).

Main St, heading west between Chapman and Mill St's, Proserpine (2007).

Chapman St, looking north from Main St, Proserpine (2007).

Chapman St, looking south from Main St, Proserpine (2007).

Faust St, looking west from Ann St, Proserpine (2007).

Crystal Brook Rd, looking north-west as it departs Proserpine (2007).

The Proserpine Sugar Mill (2007).

Pioneer Park, looking north from Main St, Proserpine (2007).

Renwick Rd, looking west from Carnation St, Proserpine (2007).

Heading north on Shute Harbour Rd as it departs Proserpine (2007).

Typical scenery, south of Proserpine (2007).

Scenery, looking west from Shute Harbour Rd, just north of Proserpine (2007).

	Southern approach on the Bruce Hwy to Proserpine (2007).
	Main Street (Bruce Hwy), heading west from Glen Isla Rd, Proserpine (2007).
	View west at the junction of Main Street and Bruce Hwy, Proserpine (2007).
	Main Street, looking west from Blair St, Proserpine (2007).
	Main St, looking west from Chapman St, Proserpine (2007).
	Main St, heading west between Chapman and Mill St's, Proserpine (2007).
	Chapman St, looking north from Main St, Proserpine (2007).
	Chapman St, looking south from Main St, Proserpine (2007).
	Faust St, looking west from Ann St, Proserpine (2007).
	Crystal Brook Rd, looking north-west as it departs Proserpine (2007).
	The Proserpine Sugar Mill (2007).
	Pioneer Park, looking north from Main St, Proserpine (2007).
	Renwick Rd, looking west from Carnation St, Proserpine (2007).
	Heading north on Shute Harbour Rd as it departs Proserpine (2007).
	Typical scenery, south of Proserpine (2007).
	Scenery, looking west from Shute Harbour Rd, just north of Proserpine (2007).