Proserpine, Queensland

Proserpine is a town and a locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. It is the administrative/service centre and ultimately gateway to the Whitsunday Region region by road, rail and air. At the, Proserpine had a population of 3,562.GeographyProserpine is situated on the Bruce Highway and is a major stopping point for vehicular traffic, plans are underway to construct a free RV friendly stopover point to show travellers that Proserpine appreciates them stopping in the town and bringing with them their much valued business.The town is located along the banks of the Proserpine River and is surrounded by vast flat areas of land currently primarily used for sugarcane farming and urban expansion. Clarke Range is located to the west, northwards is Dryander National Park and to the east is Conway National Park.The Clarke Range to the west of the town contains the small, former gold mining town of Dittmer and provide a dramatic backdrop to the area.HistoryThe town name Proserpine derives from the Proserpine River, whose name was derived from the legend of the Greek goddess Persephone (whose Latin name is Proserpine).Proserpine was founded in the 1890s. The town was founded around 1890 just after the sugar mill was constructed. The Postal Office opened in 1886. The town experienced high growth in the 1900s as the local sugar industry grew and exported raw sugar via the Proserpine Landing from here it was sent to refineries. At this time it was the fastest growing regional town in Queensland.