Bilyana is a coastal locality in the Cassowary Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Bilyana had a population of 190 people.
Geography
Bilyana covers an area of 130.3 square kilometres (50.3 sq mi). The Coral Sea forms its eastern boundary, and the Murray River forms part of its northern boundary. The Bruce Highway runs through the locality from south-west to north-west. Bilyana railway station is located on the North Coast railway line. The main land uses are grazing on native vegetation in the north of the locality and sugarcane growing in the south. Residential areas are concentrated in the south and south-west.
Location
Bilyana is situated approximately 22.5 km (14.0 mi) south of Tully, 73.6 km (45.7 mi) south-southwest of Innisfail, 161 km (100 mi) south of Cairns, 187 km (116 mi) northwest of Townsville, and 1,548 km (962 mi) north-northwest of Brisbane. Its postcode is 4854.
History
The traditional language of the area is Girramay (also known as Giramay, Garamay, Giramai, Keramai), spoken in Far North Queensland, particularly around the Herbert River Catchment area including the towns of Cardwell and Ingham. The Girramay language region falls within the local government boundaries of the Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook Regional Councils.
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Bilyana recorded a population of 180 people. By the 2021 census, the population had increased to 190.
Education
There are no schools in Bilyana. The nearest government primary schools are Murray River Upper State School in neighbouring Murray Upper to the west and Kennedy State School in neighbouring Kennedy to the south. The nearest government secondary school is Tully State High School in Tully to the north.
Government
Bilyana is within the Cassowary Coast Region local government area. At the state level, it falls within the electoral district of Hinchinbrook, and at the federal level, it is part the Division of Kennedy.
