McKinlay, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McKinlayQueensland |
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The Landsborough Highway through McKinlay in 1962
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 McKinlay
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 162 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.01833/km2 (0.0475/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1888 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4823 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 170 m (558 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 8,837.5 km2 (3,412.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | McKinlay Shire | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Traeger | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Kennedy | ||||||||||||||
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McKinlay is a small town and area located in the outback of Queensland, Australia. It's part of the McKinlay Shire. In 2021, about 162 people lived there.
Contents
Where is McKinlay Located?
McKinlay is in the Gulf Country region of Queensland. This area is in the remote north-west part of the state. It's about 1,595 kilometers (991 miles) north-west of Brisbane, the state capital. The town is also about 228 kilometers (142 miles) south-east of Mount Isa, a larger regional center.
Roads and Rivers in McKinlay
The main road, the Landsborough Highway, goes right through the town. It enters from the east and leaves towards the north-west. The McKinlay River flows just north-west of the town. This river eventually joins the Flinders River, which flows into the Gulf of Carpentaria.
A Look at McKinlay's Past
McKinlay is named after the nearby McKinlay River. The river itself was named after a Scottish explorer, John McKinlay. He was the first European to find the river in 1861.
Gold Rush and Early Days
Gold was discovered in the McKinlay area in 1872. This discovery helped the town grow. A place to receive letters opened in 1883. The Post Office officially opened in 1894 and was renamed McKinlay in 1909. The town was planned out, and land was sold in 1888.
McKinlay State School History
McKinlay State School first opened its doors on July 5, 1897. The school's name spelling was changed in 1934. It closed for a short time in 1953 but reopened in 1957. The school closed permanently on December 5, 1986. The old school building is still there and is now used for community events.
Changes in Local Government
The main offices for the McKinlay Shire were in the town until 1930. They then moved to Julia Creek.
Churches in McKinlay
St Mary the Virgin's Anglican Church opened in 1937. The building was moved from another town called Kynuna. It had been a Roman Catholic church there before. This church has now closed in McKinlay. Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church opened in 1961. This building was also moved from Julia Creek. It has also now closed in McKinlay.
What is McKinlay Like Today?
In 2021, the population of McKinlay was 162 people. This number has changed over the years. In 2011, there were 417 people, and in 2016, there were 178 people.
Local Economy
The South 32 Cannington mine is about 85 kilometers (53 miles) west of McKinlay. This mine is Australia's largest for silver and lead. It provides jobs and supports the local economy.
Community Facilities
McKinlay has a park and a small museum for visitors. The old McKinlay State School building is now called the Crafty Old School House. It is used for community events and can be rented for parties. The school's tennis courts are also available for people to use.
The McKinlay Shire Council runs a public library on Middleton Street. It is said to be the smallest public library in all of Queensland! It also acts as a Visitor Information Centre for tourists.
The local branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) has its rooms on Middleton Street. The Uniting Church in Australia holds regular services in the QCWA rooms. These services are provided by the McKay Patrol. This is a special aerial service that flies a small plane to help people in remote areas. They offer spiritual and practical help to communities far from towns.
Famous Attraction: Walkabout Creek Hotel
McKinlay is most famous for the Walkabout Creek Hotel. This hotel was featured in the popular movie Crocodile Dundee. The pub is actually in the old McKinlay Shire Hall building. It has become a big tourist attraction for the town. When it was put up for sale in 2010, people from all over the world were interested in buying it!
Images for kids
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The Landsborough Highway through McKinlay in 1962
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McKinlay State School, circa 1994
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Public library, smallest in Queensland, McKinlay, 2004
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Inside McKinlay library
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Walkabout Creek Hotel, 2013
