Byfield is a rural locality in the Shire of Livingstone, Queensland, Australia. In the, the locality of Byfield had a population of 323 people.

Geography

Byfield is located in the midst of the Byfield National Park in Central Queensland, 717 km north west of the state capital Brisbane and 78 km north of the regional centre of Rockhampton. It is within the local government area of Shire of Livingstone (between 2008 and 2013, it was within the Rockhampton Region). Waterpark Creek forms much of the north-eastern boundary. Sandy Creek, a tributary of Waterpark, also forms part of that boundary.

History

The locality's name is thought to be a corruption of Fifefield, a name shown on a 1859 sketch by pastoralist Colin Archer. Byfield State School opened its doors on 12 November 1923.

Demographics

In the, the town of Byfield had a population of 275 people. In the, the locality of Byfield had a population of 261 people. In the, the locality of Byfield had a population of 301 people (53.3% male, 46.7% female, in 87 family units). In the, the locality of Byfield had a population of 323 people.

Heritage listings

Byfield has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Amenities

The Livingstone Shire Council operate a public library at the Raspberry Creek Homestead at 2312 Byfield Road. There is a general store in Byfield which caters for light meals as well as fuel and grocery items. Byfield has retreat style cabins and camping, offering accommodation in a rainforest setting with natural creeks and waterholes.

Education

Byfield State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 2233 Byfield Road (-22.8412°N, 150.6461°W). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 33 students with 3 teachers (2 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent). There is no secondary school in Byfield; the nearest is Yeppoon State High School.