Julia Creek, Queensland

Julia Creek
Queensland
Julia Creek
Population: 368 [1]
Postcode: 4823
Elevation: 123 m (404 ft)
Location:
LGA: McKinlay
State District: Mount Isa
Federal Division: Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
33.3 °C
92 °F		 17.4 °C
63 °F		 461.3 mm
18.2 in

Julia Creek is a town in mid northern Queensland, located on the Overlander's Way, the main road between Mount Isa and Townsville. It is 664 kilometres (413 mi) west of Townsville, and is located 123 m above sea level.[2] At the 2006 census, Julia Creek had a population of 368.[1]

Contents

History

The town was named after the niece of Donald McIntyre, the first white settler in the area.[3] McIntyre took up a property called Dalgonally about 70 km north of the present site of the town in 1864, only a few years after the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition passed through the area. The township began life as a temporary terminus in 1907 when the railway was extended from Richmond to service the copper mines at Cloncurry.

A one-room school was established in 1911 with nine students, and was expanded in 1932 and again in 1934. A separate high school was constructed in 1963.[3] A sixteen-bed hospital was established in 1972.[4] The town did not receive an electricity supply until 1952.

Economy

The town's main industries are farming, (especially the beef and wool industries), and mining, which is mainly centred around the BHP Billiton mine at nearby Cannington. The town is a major centre for cattle sales and stock trucking, with a large saleyard and associated facilities. Prior to the expansion of the railway to the larger towns of Cloncurry and Mount Isa, the town was also a major transport hub for freight and passengers.

Facilities

Julia Creek has a library, swimming pool, museum, visitor information centre and an arts council.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Julia Creek (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL330200&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 29 May 2011. 
  2. ^ SMH Travel Guide - Julia Creek, retrieved 9 March 2007
  3. ^ a b Towns - Julia Creek, James Cook University, retrieved 9 March 2007
  4. ^ Queensland Health Facility Profile - Julia Creek Hospital, retrieved 9 March 2007.
  5. ^ "Julia Creek". Centre for the Government of Queensland. http://queenslandplaces.com.au/search/results/julia%20creek. Retrieved 21 December 2011. 

External links