The town takes its name from the beach which in turn takes its name from Ebenezer Cowley, a horticulturist and overseer at Kamerunga State Nursery. Prior to 16 November 1991 the town was called Inarlinga.[2]
In December 1930, a public reserve along the beachfront of Cowley Beach was established.[29] In January 1931 the beach was attracting increasing numbers of holiday makers.[30][31]
The Cowley Beach Military Training Area was established in 1962 as the Joint Tropical Research Unit, so-called because it operated in collaboration with the British Ministry of Defence.[8]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, the locality of Cowley Beach had a population of 78 people.[32]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Cowley Beach had a population of 65 people.[1]
Education
There are no schools in Cowley Beach. The nearest government primary school is Silkwood State School in Silkwood to the south-west. The nearest government secondary school is Innisfail State College in Innisfail to the north.[4]
^"INNISFAIL NOTES". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. LII, no. 325. Queensland, Australia. 22 December 1930. p. 3. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.