Pallarenda is a northern coastal suburb of Townsville in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. In the, Pallarenda had a population of 778 people.

Geography

The locality is bounded to the east by Cleveland Bay, a side bay of the Coral Sea, with Cape Pallarenda at the northern end of its coastline (-19.1888°N, 146.7738°W). The residential development in the suburb is only three streets deep from the beach and is surrounded by undeveloped land. It is accessed by the Cape Pallarenda Road which runs north along the coast from Rowes Bay. In the north of Pallarenda is the Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park.

History

The former Quarantine Station at Cape Pallarenda was established between 1915 and 1916, using building materials previously used in the construction of an earlier quarantine station constructed in 1884–1885 at West Point, Magnetic Island. During World War II, Townsville was a major military staging point for fighting in the war in the South West Pacific against the Japanese. There were two coastal artillery batteries in Pallarenda: The area was attacked early in the morning of 27 July 1942 during a Japanese air raid on Townsville. The suburb was officially named and bounded on 12 June 1992. It is believed the name Pallarenda was given by naval officer George Poynter Heath in 1864, possibly from castaway James Morrill who lived with local Aboriginal people.

Demographics

In the, Pallarenda had a population of 791 people. In the, Pallarenda had a population of 778 people.

Heritage listings

Pallarenda has a number of sites on the Queensland Heritage Register, including:

Education

There are no schools in Pallarenda. The nearest government primary school is Belgian Gardens State School in Belgian Gardens to the south-east. The nearest government secondary school is Townsville State High School in Railway Estate to the south-east.

Amenities

There is a boat ramp on Marlow Street at the northern end of Cape Pallarenda Road (-19.1973°N, 146.7741°W). It is managed by the Townsville City Council. Pallarenda has a permanent marine stinger enclosure, both in Pallarenda Park. To the south of Pallarenda there is a horse exercise beach and a dog off-leash area. There are a number of picnic and barbecue areas throughout the suburb. Some of the features include: