Muttaburra, Queensland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muttaburra is a small grazing town located in central western Queensland, Australia. The town is located on the banks of the Thomson River, approximately 120 kilometres north of the town of Longreach and 84 km north of Aramac. Muttaburra is located within the Barcaldine Regional Council area.
Muttaburra was developed as a town in the 1870's. The name derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "meeting of the waters" and was once part of a vast inland sea. [1]
Muttaburra also has claims to fame, It was the discovery site of the Muttaburrasaurus, one of Australia's largest dinosaurs, The creature is believed to have been 12 metres long, two and a half metres high from the hip and weighing 15 tonnes, there is a full size replica in the town. And Muttaburra was also the scene of one of the most daring acts of cattleduffing ever performed in Australia. The main industry of the area is grazing. [2]
The Great Dividing Range is the main feature to the east of the Aramac Shire. The region is a sub-basin of the Great Artesian Basin. The Great Artesian Basin supplies water from bores to the towns of Muttaburra and Aramac. the area is well known for its good quality land that is used for sheep and cattle grazing. [3]
Contents |
[edit] Sport
Muttaburra has rather a large amount of sporting activities ranging from fishing, rodeo, golf course, Olympic size swimming pool, Shooting range, Tennis courts, race course.
[edit] Transport
Due to the small size of the town there is almost no public transport, however Longreach does run a bus service to the town 1 to 2 times a month. The town also has a small Airport, Muttaburra Airport.
[edit] Health
The Muttaburra Hospital closed due the small population however there is a Primary Health Care Centre for minor Treatments and care. Muttaburra relies on the Hospitals in Longreach or Aramac plus the Flying Doctor service. [4]
[edit] Education
Muttaburra State School is one of the oldest schools in the District and opened in 1884. The school has undergone some much needed improvements and renovations. The school currently operates as a one-teacher school with around 10 primary school children and 1 Prep child.
Principals tend to stay for about 1-2 years and then relocate. The staff demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and provide a high quality learning environment. There is strong support from the parents involved in the P&C and sub-Community groups such as the SES and Rural Fire Brigade. [5]
[edit] Climate
Muttaburra has a subtropical climate with very hot summers with temperatures over 37° and heat waves are common, however in winter the temperature can go as low as 8°C, if not lower but frosts rarely occur. Most of the rainfall occurs in the summer months with falls around the 400 to 550 mm, Flooding can occur most years and in the "big wets" large areas of the major watercourses are inundated, however droughts are a consistent worry.
[edit] Tourist Attractions
Bush-walking, water-skiing or fishing are some of the main attractions in the area. The headwaters of the Thomson River, the camping area at Broadwater and the Muttaburra Pump Hole, is where you will find some of the biggest Yellowbelly and Black Bream.
Other attractions are found in Muttaburra itself, the Memorial Medical Museum displaying medical history from the early 1900's and the Cassimatis Store. The Cassimatis Store opened in 1914 but was closed around 1974, until it was reopened in 2001 after a full renovation.
The Muttaburra Rest Area provides the first two nights stay free plus meals and accommodation are also available at the Exchange Hotel on the main street and the Caravan Park has Powered Sites, BBQ's and a washing machine. Hot food, groceries and fuel are available at the local store. [6]
Plus on the first Saturday of June Each year is the annual Landsborough Flock Ewe Show, the show has Sheep & Wool judging, Cattle displays, Trade displays, Ladies Pavilion - Shopping, Activities for kids, Cattle Drive plus Dinner and Entertainment.
[edit] References
