Situated on the north side of the mighty Burdekin River, 85 kilometres south of Townsville, the prosperous rural community of Ayr is the main town in the Burdekin Shire.
This is prime sugar country, with about 80,000 hectares of land under sugar cane, and an annual production of about 1.25 million tonnes of raw sugar. The district also contributes one-third of the nation’s mango harvest and is a major producer of melons and many other fruit and vegetable varieties.
Nearby is Alva Beach, offering miles of unspoilt sandy coastline and is a popular spot for beach fishing, birdwatching and windsurfing. It’s also a close launching point for a dive tour to the world famous dive wreck, the ‘SS Yongala’. Yongala is Australia’s largest and most intact historic shipwreck and gives you the opportunity to come face to face with the charismatic mega marine life of the world heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Burdekin sits on a vast natural aquifer which is artificially replenished with water from the Burdekin River. A rich network of creeks and mangrove lined estuaries make the area a mecca for fishing and crabbing. The Burdekin is a known hotspot for fighting fish, the barramundi, as well as estuary species such as mangrove jack and trevally.
The surrounding wetlands offer excellent birdwatching opportunities, with over 280 species being recorded in the area. This includes the cotton pygmy-goose, which is listed as endangered in New South Wales.
The spectacular Burdekin River Bridge is the district’s best known landmark and is the longest crossing of its type in the country. Known as the Silver Link, it is the only bridge in Australia built without a firm foothold.
Quick Facts
Ayr is an Urban Location area within the local government area of Burdekin in Queensland, it is located approximately 1047kms from the capital Brisbane and extends over an area of 28.473 square kilometres. Ayr has a recorded population of 8738 residents and is within the Australian Eastern Standard Time zone Australia/Brisbane.
If you are planning a visit to Ayr we’ve put together some of the things you can see or do while you are here. These include, places to stay, tours and attractions, some upcoming events and places where you can grab a meal. Go ahead, try one of the buttons above. Every destination has something worth seeing so start exploring… If you know Ayr and think we’ve missed something, let us know and we’ll share it here.