Boulia, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BouliaQueensland |
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Entry into Boulia
|
|||||||||||||||
 Boulia
Location in Queensland
|
|||||||||||||||
| Population | 314 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 2.025/km2 (5.24/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1879 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4829 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 161.8 m (531 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 155.1 km2 (59.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
|
||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Boulia | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Gregory | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Kennedy | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Boulia is a small town in the outback of Queensland, Australia. It's known for its wide-open spaces and unique events. In 2021, about 314 people lived in Boulia.
This town is the main hub for the Shire of Boulia, which is a large local government area. The whole Shire has about 600 people and covers a huge area, bigger than some countries!
Boulia is famous for the mysterious Min Min lights. These are strange, shimmering lights that people sometimes see at night. Some say they are caused by a natural trick of light in the air, like a mirage.
Contents
Exploring Boulia's Location
Boulia is located in Central West Queensland, about 296 kilometers (184 miles) south of Mount Isa. It's a key stopping point on several outback roads.
One important route is the Outback Way. This road is called "Australia's Longest Shortcut." It's a 2,800-kilometer (1,740-mile) journey that connects Western Australia to Queensland.
Boulia is also in an area called the Channel Country. This is a special part of Australia where rivers and creeks spread out during heavy rains. This makes the land very fertile for growing grass, which is perfect for beef cattle.
The town sits on the Burke River. This river was named after the explorer Robert O'Hara Burke. He passed through this area in 1860 during the famous Burke and Wills expedition.
The town itself has a simple grid layout. Herbert Street is the main street where you'll find most of the shops and public buildings.
A Look Back in Time
The name "Boulia" comes from the local Pitta Pitta language. It was named after a waterhole called "bool-yo." The town was officially recognized in 1879.
Boulia's Post Office opened in 1879, helping people send and receive mail. The first school, Boulia Provisional School, started in 1889. It later became Boulia State School in 1909.
The Good Shepherd Catholic Church was built in 1955. More recently, in 2019, the Boulia Outback Chapel opened in a former church building.
Boulia's Weather
Boulia has a hot desert climate. This means it has very hot summers, sometimes with rain. Winters are mild and dry, with cool nights.
The average high temperature in July is about 22.9°C (73.2°F). In December, it can reach 38.6°C (101.5°F). Rainfall is usually low, averaging about 258.3 millimeters (10.2 inches) per year. However, the rain can be very unpredictable! For example, in January 1974, Boulia received a lot of rain in just one month.
The town is very sunny, with many clear days each year.
Fun Events in Boulia
Boulia is famous for its exciting events!
- Boulia Camel Races: This is a big event where camels race! It's known for having the longest camel race in Australia, a 1500-meter (nearly a mile) cup final.
- Easter Events: Every Easter, the Boulia Racecourse hosts a rodeo, campdrafting (a horse sport), and horse racing. It's a major social event for everyone in the area.
- Drag Races: In August, fast drag races are held at the Boulia Airport. These races attract a big crowd of fans.
Places to Visit and Things to Do
Boulia has many public places for residents and visitors. These include:
- A public library
- A community hall
- A sports complex
- The racecourse
- The Min Min Encounter tourist center, where you can learn about the mysterious lights
- A museum and visitor information center
The Boulia Shire Council runs the public library on Burke Street.
If you like golf, Boulia has an 18-hole golf course with sand greens. You don't have to pay to play, and there's a clubhouse with drinks.
Boulia also has Australia's first three-dimensional zebra crossing! This special crossing uses an optical illusion to look like it's floating. It helps improve road safety and is also a fun tourist attraction. It was put in place in 2018 after the mayor saw similar crossings in other countries.
The Boulia branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms on Moonah Street.
The Good Shepherd Catholic Church is also on Moonah Street.
Learning in Boulia
Boulia State School is a government primary school for students from early childhood up to Year 6. In 2017, the school had 27 students.
There are no high schools in Boulia itself. The closest ones are in Mount Isa and Winton. Since these are too far for daily travel, students often go to boarding schools or study through distance education (learning from home). Spinifex State College in Mount Isa offers boarding options.
Boulia on Mars!
Did you know that the name Boulia is used for a crater on the planet Mars? It's a cool way to remember the town!
Important Historic Sites
Boulia has one site that is listed as a heritage place:
- Pituri Street: Boulia Stone House
Images for kids
-
Entry into Boulia
-
Boulia Post Office, around 1948
-
Min Min Encounter, 2016
-
Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2019
