Heading south from Townsville you’ll come across plenty
more to do and see. Your first stop would be Ayr in the Burdekin Shire,
one of the most productive agricultural areas in Australia.
AYR population: 8654 and 85kms south of Townsville.
The first settlers arrived in the 1870s, the town was surveyed in 1882
and named after the birthplace in Scotland of Sir Thomas McIlwraith, Premier
of Queensland.
Ayr is said to be "BUILT ON LIQUID GOLD", as the region is
situated on a vast natural underground aquifer which is artificially replenished
with water from the Burdekin Falls Dam. This makes the region virtually
drought proof, which is why it is one of the largest sugar producing areas
and also the mango and melon capital of Qld. The Bi-Centennial Fountain
and the Cascades all commemorate this wonderful asset. 
While in Ayr visit the mausoleums at the town’s cemetery, Ayr's
famous golf course, Stephen Walker's Living Lagoon at the delightful Burdekin
Theatre, the Ayr Nature Display, Hutchings Lagoon and Alva Beach. Wander
along the Juru Walk and 60mtr carpet snake sculpture in Plantation Park.
Gubulla Munda is the totem for the Juru Tribe of the Birri-Gubba Nation.
Gubulla Munda holds sacred, cultural and spiritual significance to the
traditional owners.
Fishing is probably the single most popular pastime in the Burdekin.
There are a number of fishing tours available for those who would like
to have a day out fishing.
Sightseeing of the district and cane fire tours available also. Golf,
bowls and bird watching are also popular pastimes.
The calm clear ocean waters of the Burdekin are popular with divers.
Dive tours from Alva to the wreck of the SS Yongala only 20 kms offshore
are very popular.
The district’s best known landmark the Burdekin Bridge, also known
as ‘Silver Link, spans the mighty Burdekin River (you drive over
this just before you get to Home Hill), is one of the longest
bridges of its type in Australia at 1,097 metres in length.
Visitors are invited to turn off the highway on the north side of the
bridge to the left and follow the gravel road to the bottom of the bridge.
Stairs from the carpark connect to the bridge’s walkway.
 Visitors
can have a closer look at the bridge and the river below by the secure
walkway that has been constructed on the eastern side.
There are also wide variety of speciality shops, accommodation and award
winning restaurants in Ayr. Sporting, cultural and tourist facilities
abound, with Ayr famous for being home to champion women’s golfer
Karrie Webb.
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