Definition Surat is a rural town located in the Maranoa Region of Queensland, Australia.
Overview Surat is situated approximately 532 kilometers northwest of Brisbane, the state capital, and lies on the banks of the Balonne River. It serves as a service center for surrounding agricultural communities, particularly those involved in grazing and cropping industries. The town is positioned along the Warrego Highway, making it a stopover point for travelers moving between southern Queensland and western New South Wales.
Etymology/Origin The town derives its name from the pastoral run "Surat," which was established in the 1840s. The origin of the name "Surat" is believed to be linked to Surat, a city in Gujarat, India. However, the exact reason for choosing this name for the pastoral station—and subsequently the town—is not definitively documented. Some historical sources suggest that early pastoralists may have named it after the Indian port city, possibly due to maritime trade associations of the period.
Characteristics Surat has a small permanent population, with the 2021 Australian Census recording approximately 650 residents. The town features basic infrastructure including a police station, hospital, post office, schools, and community facilities. It is known for its artesian water supply, with a natural bore providing warm water used in swimming facilities and local amenities. The surrounding area supports industries such as cattle and sheep grazing, irrigated cotton farming, and cereal cropping. Surat is also near regions with significant natural gas exploration linked to the coal seam gas (CSG) industry in the Bowen and Surat Basins—geological formations that extend beneath parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
Related Topics
- Maranoa Region
- Warrego Highway
- Balonne River
- Coal Seam Gas (CSG) in Queensland
- Surat Basin
- Artisanal and small-scale resource use in rural Australia
- Australian outback towns and rural communities
Note: The geological Surat Basin is a separate entity from the town but shares the name and partially underlies the region. The basin is significant for energy resources, particularly natural gas.