Morven, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Morven Queensland
Morven Hotel (prior to burning down in 2016)
Morven Location in Queensland
Population	184 (2021 census)
• Density	0.09003/km2 (0.2332/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4468
Area	2,043.8 km2 (789.1 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	90.6 km (56 mi) E of Charleville 177 km (110 mi) W of Roma 575 km (357 mi) WNW of Toowoomba 655 km (407 mi) WNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Murweh
State electorate(s)	Warrego
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa
Localities around Morven: Clara Creek Redford Tyrconnel Sommariva Morven Mungallala Riversleigh Boatman Mungallala South

Morven is a small country town and area in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Shire of Murweh. In 2021, about 184 people lived in Morven. It's a quiet place with a rich history.

Exploring Morven's Location

Morven is in South West Queensland. It sits right on the Warrego Highway. This highway connects many towns in the region.

The town is about 91 kilometres (57 miles) east of Charleville. It's also 177 kilometres (110 miles) west of Roma. If you travel further, it's about 575 kilometres (357 miles) west of Toowoomba. Brisbane, the capital city, is about 665 kilometres (413 miles) west of Morven.

Morven Aerodrome: A Local Airfield

Morven has its own small airport, called Morven Aerodrome. It has an unsealed runway made of red soil. The runway is 1,725 metres (5,659 feet) long and 45 metres (148 feet) wide. The local council, Murweh Shire Council, manages this airfield.

Morven's Past: A Journey Through Time

Morven started as a popular resting spot. Bullock teams, which were groups of oxen pulling wagons, used to stop here. This was on their long journey between Mitchell and Charleville.

In 1859, a small piece of land was set aside for public use. It was called 'Victoria Downs Reserve'. This area was also on the Cobb & Co mail route. This route delivered mail from Brisbane to Charleville. Later, people started calling it 'Sadlier's Waterhole'. This was after Captain TJ Sadlier and his wife camped there.

How Morven Got Its Name

A post office opened in 1876 and was named Morven. When the town was officially mapped in 1880, it was given the name Morven. Many believe it was named after a place called Morven in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Important Buildings and Events

Morven State School opened its doors on 24 September 1887. This was a big step for education in the area.

All Souls Anglican Church opened in 1906. It was officially dedicated in 1926. The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was also opened and blessed in 1926.

On April 26, 2016, the Morven Hotel Motel sadly burned down. This was a huge loss because it was the only hotel in town. But the community worked together to rebuild it. It reopened in 2020 and is now called Sadleir's Waterhole, bringing back the old name for the area.

Who Lives in Morven?

The number of people living in Morven has changed over the years.

• In 2006, about 276 people lived in Morven.
• By 2016, the population was around 199 people.
• In 2021, the number was 184 people.

Historic Places to See

Morven has some important heritage-listed sites. These are places that are protected because of their historical value.

• The Angellala Rail Bridge is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of Morven. It's on the railway line that goes from Roma to Cunnamulla.

Learning in Morven

Morven State School is a government primary school. It teaches students from Preparatory (Prep) to Year 6. The school is located on Albert Street. In 2018, about 20 students were enrolled there.

There isn't a high school in Morven itself. Older students, from Year 7 to Year 12, travel by bus. They go to Charleville State High School in Charleville.

Getting Around Morven

Morven is in a great spot for travel. It's where the Warrego Highway (to Charleville) and the Landsborough Highway (to Augathella) meet. This makes it a good starting point for people visiting places like the Stockman's Hall of Fame. It's also useful for trucks heading towards Darwin.

Bus Services

Several intercity bus services stop in Morven. These are run by Greyhound Australia.

• Buses travel between Brisbane and Mount Isa.
• Other services connect Brisbane and Charleville.

Train Travel

Morven Railway Station serves the town. The "Westlander" passenger train stops here twice a week.

• The train going west (from Brisbane Roma Street to Charleville) stops on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:55 am.
• The train going east (from Charleville to Brisbane Roma Street) stops on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:55 pm.

Community Facilities in Morven

Morven has a historical museum. It also has a heritage trail where you can learn about the town's past. Nearby, you can visit the Tregole National Park. This park is special because two different types of land, the Mulga Lands and the Brigalow Belt, meet there.

Local Services

The Murweh Shire Council runs a public library in Morven. It's located on the Warrego Highway. The Morven branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms on Roma Street.

All Souls Anglican Church is on Eurella Street. Services are held there on the third Sunday of every month. Sacred Heart Catholic Church is also on Eurella Street, but it doesn't have regular services.

The Sadlier's Waterhole Hotel is on the Warrego Highway. It was rebuilt after the original Morven Hotel/Motel burned down in 2016.

Other important facilities include:

• Morven Police Station
• Morven Fire Station
• Morven SES Facility (for emergency services)
• Morven Community Health Clinic
• Morven Ambulance Station
• Morven Cemetery

Fun Things to Do in Morven

The Morven Historical Museum is a great place to visit. You can find it at 53 Albert Street. It's full of interesting items from the town's history.

Media and Communication

Morven receives television and radio signals. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) broadcasts its channels like ABC Kids, ABC ME, and ABC News here. They also broadcast ABC Radio National on 107.5 FM.

Other TV networks like the Seven Network, Nine Network, and Network Ten also transmit to Morven through their regional partners. The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and its channels like SBS Viceland and SBS Food are also available. Radio 4VL also broadcasts to Morven on 105.9 FM.