dragonkat

I lived and worked in Taroom for almost two years. While it's a nice enough little town, with a fairly interesting history, there is little in the way of facilities for families. Childcare is a definite problem and schooling is only available to Grade 10, although there is both a public and a Catholic school. It is a fair drive to any major centre, with both Rockhampton and Toowoomba at least 4 hours away. The little hospital is okay, and the nurses are efficient, but the town doctor at the time (I left in 2005) was atrocious, and I would not go near him - instead I travelled to Chinchilla, some two hours away, for prenatal and other care.

Power service may have improved by now, but one year, we lost power for more than 14 hours, and had regular outages in the summer months. It's quite a hot place, and airconditioning is essential. There is a swimming pool there, and water service is good, although water rates are high.

Seafarer Drive is located directly opposite Fraser Island in the beautiful seaside village of River Heads. What makes River Heads so special is that while it still feels like a sleepy seaside village, it is less than 10 minutes from city amenities including national airport, university, shopping, resorts, and public and private schools.

The beauty of River Heads is its location - 10 minutes from the boom town of Hervey Bay, on a little point across from Fraser Island. Barges to Fraser leave from River Heads, but traffic to the boat ramp is only via the main road, while most of the houses springing up in River Heads are removed from the highway. Turtle Cove, where Seafarer Drive is located, and Bingham Waters, its sister estate, house lovely homes in various styles, from brick three and four bedroom family homes, to palatial estates atop the hills, two story innovative masterpieces, and sturdy owner built homes. Most house blocks are large, with many half and one acre blocks. There are still many vacant blocks in River Heads, and new homes are popping up all over the place. Rent is still very affordable, although house prices are rocketing.

River Heads is the sort of place where you check out every car driving by because there are so few of them! The midgies are quite bad in spring and summer, so make sure you stock up on spray and keep your house screens in good order!

There is a school bus to local schools in Hervey Bay, and some public transport into the Bay. Local playgroup and other activities also available in River Heads, with plenty of other facilities 10 minutes away.

Edith Street is a quiet street with myriad advantages. Up the road is the local primary school, with the high school another block on. The 50m swimming pool, with excellent kids area, a three minute walk, as is the local kindergarten. The town hospital is on the next block, and the main street is a 10 minute walk, with a seven day a week convenience store just around the corner.

The beauty of living in this rural town is the lovely county values supplemented by excellent services, and relatively short distances to major centres, such as Roma, Dalby or Toowoomba. The mining industry is booming in this area, with coal and gas opening up all over. Miles is also becoming a hub of cultural events in the region, hosting various Arts showcases in theatre and visual arts. You will not find a nicer little town in country Queensland with so many great things to offer anywhere!