Blackall, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blackall Queensland
Memorial to Sir Thomas Mitchell
Blackall Location in Queensland
Population	1,365 (2021 census)
• Density	0.082444/km2 (0.21353/sq mi)
Established	1868
Postcode(s)	4472
Elevation	284 m (932 ft)
Area	16,556.6 km2 (6,392.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	102 km (63 mi) NW of Tambo 214 km (133 mi) SE of Longreach 488 km (303 mi) NW of Roma 615 km (382 mi) W of Rockhampton 964 km (599 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Blackall-Tambo Region
State electorate(s)	Gregory
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 30.2 °C 86 °F 15.4 °C 60 °F 533.3 mm 21 in
Localities around Blackall: Ilfracombe Barcaldine Jericho Alpha Windeyer Isisford Blackall Mount Enniskillen Macfarlane Adavale Langlo Scrubby Creek Lumeah Minnie Downs

Blackall is a country town located in the Blackall-Tambo Region of Queensland, Australia. It's like the main hub for the area, providing services to the many sheep and cattle farms around. In 2021, about 1,365 people lived in Blackall.

Another small town called Yalleroi is also part of the Blackall area, located to the north.

Exploring Blackall's Location

Blackall is in Central Western Queensland. It's about 960 kilometres (597 miles) by road from Brisbane, the state capital. The town sits right on the Barcoo River and the Landsborough Highway, which is also known as the Matilda Way.

The area around Blackall has many mountains. Some of these include Mount Northampton, which is 515 metres (1,690 feet) high, and Mount Battery, at 434 metres (1,424 feet).

Blackall's Past: A Journey Through Time

Before European settlers arrived, the land around Blackall was home to Aboriginal people. The Bidjara, Kuungkari, and Gungabula languages were spoken here.

In 1846, an explorer named Sir Thomas Mitchell explored this region. Later, in 1856, Augustus Gregory also passed through. The town of Blackall was named by Surveyor Abraham H. May after Sir Samuel Blackall, who was the second Governor of Queensland.

Blackall started growing in the 1860s. It became a service centre for the large sheep and cattle properties nearby. The first town maps were made in 1868. The local post office, first called Barcoo, changed its name to Blackall in 1868.

The Blackall State School opened its doors in 1877. Sadly, a fire destroyed the school in 1964, but it was quickly rebuilt. In 1881, heavy rains caused the Barcoo River to flood the town's main street. Many people had to leave their homes.

Blackall was one of the first towns in Queensland to dig an artesian bore in 1885. This bore brings hot water (58 degrees Celsius) from deep underground, from the Great Artesian Basin. This water is used for the town's supply and even for a special artesian spa bath at the aquatic centre.

The first Methodist church in Blackall opened in 1884. The current church building, now called the Blackall Uniting Church, was built around 1956–1958.

The Famous Black Stump

Blackall is famous for being the home of the original Black Stump. This stump marks the spot of an old Astro Station from 1887. People say that places west of this point are "beyond the black stump," meaning they are in a very remote area. The Black Stump was moved to be easier for visitors to see. You can now find it near the Blackall State School.

A Place for Workers' Rights

Blackall played an important role in the history of workers' rights in Australia. In 1886, the very first meeting of the shearers' union took place here. This union later became the Australian Labor Party. A memorial in Short Street remembers this important event.

Jackie Howe: A Shearing Legend

One of Blackall's most famous citizens was a sheep shearer named Jack Howe. In 1892, he set an amazing record by shearing 321 sheep in just 7 hours and 40 minutes using hand shears. This record still stands today for hand shearing!

Railways and Schools

The Blackall railway line opened in 1908, connecting the town to Jericho. This line helped transport goods and people. However, the railway line was closed and taken apart in 2005.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School was started in 1917 by the Sisters of St Joseph.

The Blackall War Memorial was built to remember the soldiers who died in World War I. It was officially opened on Anzac Day in 1927. Later, the names of those who died in World War II were added.

A thriving Greek cafe in the 1930s in Blackall, Queensland

Interior view of the Logos Brother's Central Cafe at Blackall, Queensland

In the 1920s, the Cominos family opened a cafe called "The Central" in Blackall. Later, the Logos Brothers took it over and added a newsagency.

The Blackall Ambulance service started in 1923. Its current building opened in 1984.

Blackall's population was over 3,000 people in 1965. However, as the wool industry declined, the town's population also decreased. A new Blackall Hospital opened in 2020.

Who Lives in Blackall?

The number of people living in Blackall has changed over the years:

• In 2011, there were 1,588 people.
• In 2016, the population was 1,416 people.
• In 2021, the population was 1,365 people.

Important Historic Places

Blackall has some special places that are listed for their historical importance:

• Blackall Masonic Temple, on Hawthorn Street.
• Blackall Woolscour, about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) northeast of Blackall.

Schools in Blackall

• Blackall State School is a government school for students from Prep (kindergarten) to Year 12. It teaches both primary and secondary students.
• St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary school for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

Town Facilities

Blackall has many important facilities for its residents:

• Blackall Police Station
• Blackall Fire Station
• Blackall Hospital
• Blackall Ambulance Station
• Blackall Cemetery, where the famous shearer Jackie Howe is buried.

Fun Things to Do and See

Blackall offers several places for recreation and community activities:

• A showground for events.
• A racecourse for horse racing.
• A bowling club.
• An aquatic centre with an artesian spa bath.
• A cultural centre.
• The Blackall-Tambo Regional Council operates a public library on Shamrock Street, where you can also access the internet.
• The Blackall branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its own rooms.
• The Blackall Uniting Church.
• The Blackall Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course.

Media and Entertainment

Blackall receives several radio stations and TV channels:

• Radio: West FM (95.1 FM), Classic Hits 4LG (100.7 FM), and ABC Radio National (107.9 FM).
• Television: You can watch ABC Television and its sister channels, Seven Network channels, Nine Network channels (through Imparja Television), Network Ten channels, and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) channels.

Must-See Attractions

• The Black Stump is located on Thistle Street, behind the Blackall State School. It's a famous landmark!
• The Major Mitchell Memorial is in the centre of Shamrock Street. It honours Thomas Mitchell's explorations in the area.
• The Australian Labor Federation Memorial is at the intersection of Shamrock and Short Streets. It marks the spot where the meeting that led to the Australian Labor Party began.
• Blackall Memorial Park is on the corner of Shamrock Street and Hawthorne Street. It contains the Blackall War Memorial and other tributes.
• Blackall Woolscour is on Evora Road. You can take guided tours to learn about how wool was processed in the past.

Getting Around Blackall

• Blackall Airport has flights connecting the town to Longreach and Brisbane through QantasLink.
• Bus Queensland also has long-distance bus services that stop in Blackall, connecting it to Brisbane and Mount Isa.

Blackall's Weather

Blackall has a hot, semi-arid climate. This means it's generally hot and dry, with a very unpredictable wet season from December to March. The dry season lasts from April to November, with cooler nights.

The average high temperature ranges from about 22.3°C (72.1°F) in July to 36.0°C (96.8°F) in December and January. The average yearly rainfall is low, about 526.7 millimetres (20.7 inches), and most of it falls in the summer. Blackall is a very sunny place, with many clear days each year.

The hottest temperature ever recorded was 44.6°C (112.3°F), and the coldest was -2.0°C (28.4°F).

Famous People from Blackall

Many notable people have connections to Blackall:

• Ashley Adams – A Paralympic shooter.
• Bonny Barry – A politician.
• Guy Kendall White AM – A pioneering scientist in physics.
• Jack "Jackie" Howe – The legendary shearer.
• Jacki MacDonald – A television and radio personality.
• Fiona MacDonald – A television presenter.
• Chris Nyst – A solicitor and writer.
• Edgar Towner – A recipient of the Victoria Cross, a very high military honour.

Images for kids

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  Jack Howe's gravesite in Blackall cemetery

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  Gravestone memorial for Jack Howe in Blackall cemetery