Ayr

• Summary
• Weather for Ayr

Ayr is a prosperous rural community, the main town in the Burdekin Shire, and boasts more than 300 glorious days of sunshine each year. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 11 degrees, making Ayr a truly winterless destination.

Like many small North Queensland towns, Ayr is characterised by its laidback lifestyle, down-to-earth locals and friendly service. The districts climate, combined with its rich soils and abundant water supply, has made it one of the strongest agricultural regions in the country.

The Burdekin is the sugar capital of Australia, 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 nations mango harvest and is a major producer of melons and a host of other fruit and vegetables. The Burdekin sits on a vast natural aquifer which is artificially replenished with water from the Burdekin River. Farmers also have access to the massive reserves of the Burdekin Falls Dam which holds 1.8 million megalitres of water, or four times the volume of water in Sydney Harbour.

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 the prized fighting fish, the barramundi, as well as estuary species such as mangrove jack and trevally.

Nearby Alva Beach offers miles of unspoilt, sandy coastline and is a popular spot for beach fishing, birdwatching and windsurfing. Its also a close launching point for a dive tour to the world-famous dive wreck, the SS Yongala.

The Burdekins magnificent wetlands offer excellent birdwatching opportunities. About 280 species have been recorded in the area, including the cotton pygmy-goose, which is listed as endangered in New South Wales.

To view the vast, flat farmlands and wetlands of the district, the best vantage point is Mount Kelly, about 10 minutes drive from Ayr.

The spectacular Burdekin River Bridge is the districts 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.

The Burdekin district is well served by major supermarkets, chain stores and specialty shops. You can find all forms of accommodation, as well as eating places to suit all tastes and budgets. There is a diversity of sporting, cultural and tourist facilities.

Be sure to visit the Burdekin Theatre, Artcover Gallery, Ye Olde Machinery Place and Hutchings Lagoon. See Gubulla Munda, a 60 metre carpet snake sculpture at Plantation Park, and visit the Ayr Golf Course, the original training ground of former Ayr woman and world champion golfer Karrie Webb.