Byfield, Queensland
Geography
Byfield is located in the midst of the Byfield National Park in Central Queensland, 717 kilometres (446 mi) north west of the state capital Brisbane and 78 kilometres (48 mi) north of the regional centre of Rockhampton. It is within the local government area of Shire of Livingstone (between 2008 and 2013, it was within the Rockhampton Region).
Waterpark Creek forms much of the north-eastern boundary. Sandy Creek, a tributary of Waterpark, also forms part of that boundary.
History
The locality's name is thought to be a corruption of Fifefield, a name shown on a 1859 sketch by pastoralist Colin Archer.
Byfield State School opened its doors on 12 November 1923.
Demographics
In the 2006 census, the town of Byfield had a population of 275 people.
In the 2011 census, the locality of Byfield had a population of 261 people.
In the 2016 census, the locality of Byfield had a population of 301 people (53.3% male, 46.7% female, in 87 family units).
In the 2021 census, the locality of Byfield had a population of 323 people.
Heritage listings
Byfield has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- 2312 Byfield Road: Raspberry Creek Homestead
- between Byfield Road and Richters Road: Old Byfield Road
Amenities
The Livingstone Shire Council operate a public library at the Raspberry Creek Homestead at 2312 Byfield Road.
There is a general store in Byfield which caters for light meals as well as fuel and grocery items. Byfield has retreat style cabins and camping, offering accommodation in a rainforest setting with natural creeks and waterholes.
Education
Byfield State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 2233 Byfield Road (22°50′28″S 150°38′46″E / 22.8412°S 150.6461°E). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 33 students with 3 teachers (2 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).
There is no secondary school in Byfield; the nearest is Yeppoon State High School.