Aratula


Aratula is a rural town and locality in the Scenic Rim Region, Queensland, Australia. In the, Aratula had a population of 532 people.

Geography

Aratula is approximately southwest of Ipswich, just east of Cunninghams Gap. Warrill Creek passes very close to the town.

History

The area was originally known as Carter's Gate, but the name was changed to reflect the railway station name of Aratula.
Carter's Gate Provisional School opened on 29 May 1911. It became a State School on 9 January 1913. The name was changed in August 1913 to Aratula State School.
St Pauls Lutheran Church opened in 1913 and closed in 1997, but the church building still stands at 57 Elizabeth Street. There is a Lutheran cemetery behind the church; the first burial was Hermann Gustav Muller in March 1916.
Aratula Post Office opened around 1925 and closed in 1987.
St Stephens Anglican Church opened in 1954 and is at 25 Elizabeth Street.
In the Aratula had a population of 505 people.

Heritage listings

Aratula has the following heritage sites:
Local attractions include nearby Moogerah Peaks National Park, Main Range National Park, Lake Moogerah and ballooning.

Amenities

Aratula is a common rest-stop for travellers coming eastward across the Great Dividing Range. There is a caravan park and a hotel just off the highway.

Education

Aratula State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at 41 Elizabeth Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 44 students with 7 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff.

Census Data

Aratula has a population of 532 at the. The locality contains 150 households, in which 50.5% of the population are males and 49.5% of the population are females with a median age of 42, 4 years above the national average. The average weekly household income is $1,187, $251 below the national average.