Middleton, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MiddletonQueensland |
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Middleton Hotel, 2019
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 Middleton
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 45 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.002401/km2 (0.00622/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4735 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 18,744.9 km2 (7,237.4 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Winton | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Gregory | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Middleton is a small rural area in Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Shire of Winton. In 2021, only 45 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Middleton?
Middleton is located on the Kennedy Developmental Road. It is about 1,524 kilometers (947 miles) northwest of Brisbane, Queensland's capital city. It is also 435 kilometers (270 miles) southeast of Mount Isa, a larger regional town.
The Old Town of Collingwood
Inside the Middleton area, you can find the former site of Collingwood. This was once a town that did not grow as much as its neighbor, Winton. By the year 1900, people had mostly left Collingwood.
A Giant Asteroid Impact?
Scientists have found something very interesting in the area around Middleton. There is a large circular zone that looks unusual in the Earth's crust. Experts from Geoscience Australia think this might be a huge impact structure. This means it could have been formed by an asteroid hitting the Earth about 300 million years ago! They are still looking for final proof of this idea.
Middleton's History
European explorers first came to the Middleton area in 1862. John McKinlay led an expedition looking for the missing Burke and Wills team. McKinlay named a local creek "Middleton Creek" after his second-in-command, Thomas Middleton.
The Middleton Hotel
The Middleton Hotel was built at the creek crossing. It was an important stop for Cobb & Co coaches. These coaches carried people and mail between Winton and Boulia.
Schools and Post Office
Middleton had a provisional school that opened in 1908 but closed in 1913. Another provisional school opened in 1937 and closed around 1943. A post office opened in Middleton by 1916, but it closed in 1968.
Middleton in Movies
The 2016 movie Goldstone was filmed in Middleton.
Who Lives in Middleton?
The number of people living in Middleton has changed over the years.
- In 2006, about 121 people lived in Middleton and the surrounding area.
- By 2016, the population of Middleton was only 9 people.
- In 2021, the population grew to 45 people.
Historic Places
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Elderslie Homestead, 1993
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The Elderslie Homestead is a special historic site. It is located on the Winton-Boulia Road and is protected as a heritage-listed place.
Education in Middleton
There are no schools directly in Middleton. The closest primary and secondary school is Winton State School in Winton. However, Winton is quite far away. Because of this, students in Middleton might use distance education (learning from home) or go to a boarding school.
What's in Middleton Today?
Middleton is mostly an abandoned town now. The main things you will find there are:
- The Middleton Hotel
- A campground
- A disused (not used anymore) hall
