Surat is a lovely town on the Condamine River situated 450km west of Brisbane on the Carnarvon Highway. There are 500 residents in town and an additional 500 in the surrounding district. Surat enjoys a sub-tropical climate with maximum temperatures typically 31-34’C in summer and minimum temperatures around 4-6’C during winter. The average rainfall for Surat and surrounds is 576mm, with most of this falling in the summer months.
Surat has very little crime, community activities just about every weekend, and youth council and activities throughout the school term and school holidays.
Surat is serviced by the Western Star (a regional newspaper twice a week) and all other major newspapers available daily. In addition there are the radio stations ABC Southern Queensland, Hot FM Roma and 4ZR, as well as Free to air TV – Imparja, Southern Cross Broadcast, ABC and SBS. Austar cable is also available on demand.
Surat has a variety of businesses and services within the township. These include a newsagency, hairdresser, food store, automotive and agricultural supplies, post office, fashion boutique, butcher, nursery, QGAP Office (access to Centrelink and Medicare), library etc.
Surat Hospital, private medical practice, visiting health services (including Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, Child Health Nurse, Women Health Services, Occupational Health, Mental Health), HACC Bus etc.
Surat State School (P-10) has approx 85 children with free bus transport to Roma for grades 11 & 12.
RSL Community Hall has large or small rooms with industrial kitchen, heating and air-conditioning. The Shire Hall & Supper Room has an industrial kitchen, cold rooms and amenities. In addition, Villacoola Winery and the Royal Hotel offer meeting rooms and catering.
Swimming pool, skate park, BMX track, Riverwalk, tennis, golf, lawn bowls, fishing, race course, and clay target shooting.
Pottery club and gardening group, Shutterbugs- local photography group, OASIS – Outdoor Art Space in Surat, Beading clubs and workshops, Gallery and Museum committees, New Central Community Arts Hub currently being developed, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, RSL Sub-branch and many other community groups.
