Burdekin Shire - The Land of Liquid Gold

Renowned as one of Australia’s premier agricultural areas, the Burdekin is located 80km south of Townsville has a population of about 19,000 people.

The shire’s two main towns are Ayr and Home Hill. These towns lie just 12km apart and are linked by the iconic Burdekin River Bridge.

With fertile soils, 300 days of sunshine each year and abundant water supplies, the Burdekin is one of the most prosperous rural communities in Australia. Local farms are drought-proof thanks to the mighty Burdekin River, with reserves of two million megalitres in the Burdekin Falls Dam and a massive underground aquifer which lies just 10m below the surface.

This ‘liquid gold’ allows Burdekin farmers to produce the biggest and sweetest sugar cane in Australia, as well as mangoes, melons, capsicums, zucchinis and many other small crops.

From around April each year there is a huge amount of work generated by the sugar cane and vegetable industries. Both skilled and unskilled workers are required including tradesmen, drivers, labourers and farm workers.

Burdekin residents enjoy a great lifestyle with relaxed, rural living. There are great cafes and restaurants, a host of specialty stores and excellent public facilities.