Bli Bli, Queensland


Bli Bli is a rural town and locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the, Bli Bli had a population of 7,801 people.

Geography

A few kilometres inland from the Maroochydore urban area, Bli Bli rises above the wetlands which were, for many years, the home of the Sunshine Coast sugarcane industry. Whilst this industry is all but gone, state government legislation ensures the wetlands will remain an undeveloped Green Space.
The Maroochy River flows through the locality from north-east to south-east.

History

The name Bli Bli is believed to be derived from the Kabi word bilai meaning sheoak tree.
Bli Bli Provisional School opened on 2 April 1901, becoming Bli Bli State School on 1 January 1909.
The first Bli Bli post office opened by March 1903 and closed in 1954. The current Bli Bli post office opened on 1 October 1987.
In March 1972, Sunshine Castle was opened. The Norman/medieval-style castle was built as a tourist attraction. The castle now houses a medieval museum and serves as an events venue for functions and concerts.
At the 2011 census, Bli Bli had a population of 6,283.

Heritage listings

Bli Bli has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Today Bli Bli has become a conveniently located residential community, it retains its small-town feel, yet is minutes from Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore, Mudjimba Beach and the Bruce Highway.
Horton Park Golf Club Maroochydore was relocated to David Low Way in Bli Bli in May 2015. The club was renamed Maroochy River Golf Club and has 18 championship holes with a driving range.
The Sunshine Coast Region council operates a mobile library service which visits the David Low Way.
The Bli Bli branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Uniting Church at 10-36 Lefoes Road.

Education

Bli Bli State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at School Road. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 614 students with 45 teachers and 29 non-teaching staff. It includes a special education program.
Sunshine Coast Environmental Education Centre is an Outdoor and Evironmental Education Centre at Sports Road.
Good Samaritan Catholic College is a Catholic primary and secondary school.

Demographics

In the, Bli Bli recorded a population of 6,283 people, 50.6% female and 49.4% male.
The median age of the Bli Bli population was 39 years, compared to the national median age of 37.
79.3% of people living in Bli Bli were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 5.4%, New Zealand 4.2%, Scotland 0.7%, Germany 0.7%, South Africa 0.6%.
93.2% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.5% German, 0.4% Italian, 0.2% Tagalog, 0.2% Japanese, 0.1% Dutch.