Mapoon, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mapoon Queensland
Mapoon beach
Mapoon Location in Queensland
Population	317 (2016 census)
• Density	0.04819/km2 (0.1248/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4874
Area	6,578.7 km2 (2,540.1 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	88.2 km (55 mi) N of Weipa 733 km (455 mi) NW of Cooktown 902 km (560 mi) NW of Cairns 2,556 km (1,588 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon Shire of Cook
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal Division(s)	Leichhardt
Localities around Mapoon: Gulf of Carpentaria Injinoo Jardine River Gulf of Carpentaria Mapoon Shelburne Mission River Mission River Wenlock

Mapoon is a coastal town in the Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon and a locality split between the Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon and the Shire of Cook in Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Mapoon had a population of 317 people.

Population

The 1996 census population of Mapoon was 139. At the 2006 census, Mapoon had a population of 239. At the 2011 Australian Census the town recorded a population of 263 and 90% of the town's population was of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Facilities

Presently the town has a primary school, nursing station, council office and small shop providing fuel and food. Local people are employed on the Council which as well as providing services for the local community in 2006 won the contract to provide road maintenance for the all-weather 80 kilometres (50 mi) dirt road from the town of Weipa. There is also a productive fishing business, providing mudcrabs to southern markets from the Port Musgrave Bay and Dulhunty and Wenlock rivers.

Camping facilities near the town are found at Cullen Point and Janie Creek. The area is known for excellent fishing and crabbing.

Economy

There is a fishing business, providing mudcrabs to southern markets from the Port Musgrave Bay and Dulhunty and Wenlock rivers.

Education

Western Cape College is a primary (Early Childhood-6) school headquartered at Rocky Point, Weipa. Its campus in Mapoon is on Red Beach Road (12°00′58″S 141°54′00″E / 12.0161°S 141.8999°E / -12.0161; 141.8999 (Western Cape College - Mapoon)).