Julia Creek, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Julia Creek Queensland
Sunrise over the plains, Julia Creek
Julia Creek Location in Queensland
Population	549 (2021 census)
• Density	0.08875/km2 (0.2299/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4823
Elevation	123 m (404 ft)
Area	6,186.2 km2 (2,388.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	138 km (86 mi) E of Cloncurry 258 km (160 mi) E of Mount Isa 467 km (290 mi) WSW of Townsville 1,603 km (996 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Mckinlay
State electorate(s)	Traeger
Federal Division(s)	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
Localities around Julia Creek: Taldora Taldora Malpas-Trenton Cloncurry Julia Creek Maxwelton Mckinlay Mckinlay Kynuna

Julia Creek is a small town and area in the outback of Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Shire of Mckinlay. In 2021, about 549 people lived in Julia Creek.

There are also two other small places, Oorindi and Gilliat, within the Julia Creek area. They are located near old railway stations.

Exploring Julia Creek's Location

Julia Creek is in the middle of northern Queensland. It sits right on the Flinders Highway, which is a major road connecting Mount Isa and Townsville. The town is about 664 kilometers (413 miles) west of Townsville and is 123 meters (404 feet) above sea level.

The town is also on the Great Northern Railway. Several railway stations serve the area, helping people and goods move around. These include Oorindi, Tibarri, Gilliat, and Julia Creek's own station.

Julia Creek's Weather

Julia Creek has a hot semi-arid climate. This means it's usually warm to hot all year round. It has a short, unpredictable wet season from December to March. The dry season, from April to November, is cooler.

The average rainfall is low, about 463.7 millimeters (18.26 inches) per year. However, the amount of rain can change a lot. For example, in January 1974, it rained 738.6 millimeters (29.08 inches) in just one month! The town is very sunny, with many clear days each year.

The temperature can vary quite a bit. The lowest recorded temperature was -0.9°C (30.4°F) in June 1965. The highest was a scorching 46.5°C (115.7°F) in November 1965.

A Look at Julia Creek's Past

Julia Creek got its name from the niece of Donald McIntyre, an early settler in the area. Donald set up a property called Dalgonally in 1864, not long after the famous Burke and Wills expedition passed through.

The town itself started in 1907. It was a temporary stop for the railway line, which was being extended to help the copper mines in Cloncurry.

The name Oorindi comes from an Aboriginal word meaning stones. It refers to the Williams River, which is nearby.

• The Julia Creek Post Office opened in 1910.
• Julia Creek State School started in 1911 with just nine students. It grew over the years, and a separate high school was built in 1963.
• In 1952, the town got electricity.
• A hospital with sixteen beds was built in 1972.
• The Julia Creek Public Library opened in 1994.

The Dirt n Dust Festival was a big sports and music event held in Julia Creek every year from 1995 to 2019. It was one of Queensland's largest events of its kind. After being cancelled for a couple of years, a new committee formed, and the festival was planned to return in April 2022.

What Drives Julia Creek's Economy?

Julia Creek's main industries are farming, especially raising beef cattle and producing wool. Mining is also important, with a large mine nearby at Cannington. The town is a key place for selling cattle and transporting livestock.

Julia Creek is also home to a special animal called the Julia Creek dunnart. This small marsupial is now endangered because of wild animals like cats, dogs, and foxes.

Learning in Julia Creek

Julia Creek State School is a government school for primary students (Prep to Year 6). In 2017, it had 34 students.

For secondary school, students usually travel to nearby towns like Richmond (up to Year 10) or Cloncurry (up to Year 12).

Fun and Facilities in Julia Creek

Julia Creek has many great facilities for its residents and visitors:

• A public library
• A visitor and cultural center
• A swimming pool
• Tennis courts
• Parks
• A sports center

The Mckinlay Shire Council runs the public library. The Julia Creek branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association also has rooms in town.

St Barnabas Anglican Church holds services in Julia Creek. The Uniting Church in Australia also holds regular services there, provided by the McKay Patrol. This special service uses a small plane to help people in remote areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Getting Around Julia Creek

Julia Creek is connected by both road and rail. The Flinders Highway passes through the town.