Julia Creek, Queensland


Julia Creek is a town and a locality in the Shire of Mckinlay, Queensland, Australia. At the, Julia Creek had a population of 511.
The town of Oorindi is within the west of the locality beside the Oorindi railway station; as at 2019, there is nothing in the town. The town of Gilliart is within the west of the locality beside the Gilliart railway station; as at 2019, there is nothing in the town.

Geography

Julia Creek is a town in mid northern Queensland, located on the Flinders Highway, the main road between Mount Isa and Townsville. It is west of Townsville, and is located 123 m above sea level.
The town of Julia Creek is on the Great Northern Railway; the town being served by the Julia Creek railway station.

History

The name Julia Creek was named after the niece of Donald McIntyre, the first white settler in the area. McIntyre took up a property called Dalgonally about north of the present site of the town in 1864, only a few years after the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition passed through the area.
The township began life as a temporary railway terminus in 1907 when the railway was extended from Richmond to service the copper mines at Cloncurry.
The name Oorindi is the Aboriginal name for the Williams River and means stones.
Julia Creek Post Office opened by September 1910.
Julia Creek State School was a one-room school established in 1911 with nine students, and was expanded in 1932 and again in 1934. A separate high school was constructed in 1963.
In 1952 the town was serviced with electricity.
St Joseph's School opened in 1955 and closed in 1995.
A sixteen-bed hospital was established in 1972.
Julia Creek Public Library was opened in 1994.

Economy

The town's main industries are farming,, and mining, which is mainly centred on the South32 mine at nearby Cannington. The town is a major centre for cattle sales and stock trucking, with a large saleyard and associated facilities. Prior to the expansion of the railway to the larger towns of Cloncurry and Mount Isa, the town was also a major transport hub for freight and passengers.
Julia Creek is also home to the Julia Creek dunnart which is now endangered because of feral animals.

Facilities

Julia Creek has a public library, visitor and cultural centre, swimming pool, tennis courts, parks as well as a sports centre.
The Mckinlay Shire Council operates a public library in Julia Creek at 56 Burke Street.
The Julia Creek branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 51 Burke Street.

Education

Julia Creek State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at Burke Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 34 students with 3 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff.
There are no secondary schools in Julia Creek. The nearest secondary schools are in Richmond and Cloncurry.

Transport

Dirt n Dust Festival

The Dirt n Dust Festival, considered one of Queensland's major sporting events, is held in town annually since 1995.