Gregory, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gregory Queensland
Wills Developmental Road in Gregory, 2013
Gregory Location in Queensland
Population	122 (2021 census)
• Density	0.01158/km2 (0.0300/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4830
Area	10,538.4 km2 (4,068.9 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	120 km (75 mi) SSW of Burketown 306 km (190 mi) N of Mount Isa 1,031 km (641 mi) W of Townsville 2,014 km (1,251 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Burke
State electorate(s)	Traeger
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Localities around Gregory: Nicholson Burketown Carpentaria Lawn Hill Gregory Stokes Lawn Hill Gunpowder Gidya

Gregory is a small town and area in the outback of Queensland, Australia. It used to be called Gregory Downs. This remote place is part of the Shire of Burke. In 2021, about 122 people lived in the Gregory area.

Where is Gregory Located?

Gregory is right next to the Gregory River. This river always has water, even in dry times. An explorer named William Landsborough gave the river its name in 1861. He named it after another explorer, Augustus Charles Gregory, who was Queensland's first chief surveyor.

What is the Gregory Downs Station?

The Gregory Downs station is a very large cattle farm. It covers a huge area of land, about 266,425 hectares. That's bigger than many cities! The station raises about 30,000 Brahman cattle. This type of cattle is good for the warm climate of the Gulf Country. The station also has about 85 kilometers of land along the Gregory River. It was one of the first big cattle farms in this part of Queensland.

A Look Back at Gregory's History

The Gregory Post Office opened a long time ago, in 1878. But it closed just a few years later, in 1894.

How the Gregory Downs Station Started

The Gregory Downs cattle station began in 1876. Three brothers, Harry, Sidney, and Robert Watson, started it. They traveled a long way with about 900 cattle. They loved the clear water of the Gregory River. So, they decided to settle there. They built their home on one side of the river and kept their cattle on the other.

The Gregory Downs Hotel

In the late 1800s, the Watson brothers built the Gregory Downs Hotel and a store. It was near their home. But they found that too many travelers stopped by. So, they moved their home to the other side of the river. There was even a coach service that took people from the hotel to Burketown. The hotel also served as a base for mounted police officers.

When Did the Town's Name Change?

In 2013, the town's name officially changed. It went from Gregory Downs to just Gregory.

Who Lives in Gregory?

The number of people living in Gregory has changed over time. In 2016, there were 72 people. By 2021, the population grew to 122 people.

Learning in Gregory

There are no schools right in Gregory. The closest primary school is Burketown State School. It's in Burketown, which is north of Gregory. But Gregory is so big that only kids in the northern parts could easily get there. There are no high schools nearby either. So, students often learn through distance education or go to boarding schools.

What Can You Do in Gregory?

The local branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets in different places around the area. This group helps women and communities.

Fun Places to Visit

There are a couple of cool spots to check out in Gregory:

• Willis Lookout is a great place for visitors to see amazing views.
• Brodies Lookout is another popular spot for tourists to enjoy the scenery.