Ballara, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BallaraQueensland |
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 Ballara
Location in Queensland
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| Established | 1914 |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Cloncurry |
Ballara is a fascinating place in north-western Queensland, Australia. It's where a mining town used to be, but now it's deserted. You can find Ballara in the Selwyn Range, which is a mountain range. It's located between two bigger towns, Mount Isa and Cloncurry. Ballara is part of the Shire of Cloncurry, which is a local government area.
A Look Back: Ballara's History
Ballara was once a busy place, especially for miners. A post office opened there around 1914. Before that, smaller post offices called "receiving offices" were open in Ballara and a nearby place called Hightville starting from 1909. The post office in Ballara closed in 1927. This shows that the town was active for a while before people moved away.
What's Left? Ballara's Heritage
Even though Ballara is now deserted, you can still find some interesting remains. One important part of its history is the old railway station. This station was part of the Wee MacGregor railway. This railway was a special type called a narrow-gauge line. It means the tracks were closer together than regular train tracks. The Wee MacGregor railway is no longer in use today.
Nature's Link: The Kalkadoon Grasswren
Ballara is also remembered in a special way by nature. A unique bird called the Kalkadoon grasswren has a scientific name that includes "Ballara." Its scientific name is Amytornis ballarae. This shows how important the area was, even to the scientists who named this bird. It's a cool way for the town to live on!
