Sheep stations were established in the area from 1864.[9]
The townsites of Ilfracombe and Longreach were amongst resumed portions of Wellshot Station.[10] In 1892, Wellshot was known as the biggest sheep station in the world, not because of the area it occupied but because of the number of sheep it ran; 460,000. [11][12] 40,000 two-year-old wethers were sold off from the property later the same year.[13]
On Sunday 10 September 1905, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church was opened at 2 Main Street by Reverend Edward Carroll of Longreach. It was built by Mr Hegarty of Rockhampton from timber and was 49 by 20 feet (14.9 m × 6.1 m). It cost £207 and was open free of debt.[22][23][24] It was replaced in 1962 by a new church building, known as the Sacred Heart War Memorial Catholic Church.[25][26]
In April 1910, Isisford became the first town in Australia to be serviced by a motorised mail delivery from Ilfracombe, a journey of 90 kilometres (56 mi).[27]
The town was much larger in the past. It once had three hotels instead of the single hotel and two general stores as at 2012.[4]
A 1.9-metre (6 ft 3 in) metal sculpture of National Rugby League player Matt Scott, who grew up in Ilfracombe, was unveiled in the town on 24 September 2021.[28] It was created by scrap metal artist Milynda Rogers who was commissioned by the Ilfracombe District Progress Association with the aim of inspiring the region's youth while also giving the town a focus of pride.[28] Approximately 200 people attended the official unveiling.[28]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, the locality of Ilfracombe had a population of 259 people. 84.3% of people were born in Australia and 89.3% of people spoke only English at home. The most common response for religion was Anglican at 39.5%.[29]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Ilfracombe had a population of 310 people.[1]
Heritage listings
Ilfracombe has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
There is no secondary school in Ilfracombe. The nearest secondary schools are Longreach State High School in neighbouring Longreach to west and Barcaldine State High School in neighbouring Barcaldine to the east. As some parts of the locality of Ilfracombe are a long distance by road from these schools, other options are distance education and boarding schools.[36]
^"Wellshot Station". The Capricornian. Rockhampton, Queensland: National Library of Australia. 24 September 1898. p. 20. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
^ ab"Ilfracombe". Queensland Holidays. Tourism Queensland. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Commercial". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Queensland: National Library of Australia. 29 December 1892. p. 4. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
^"Longreach Regional Council". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland. Archived from the original on 24 October 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
^Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.