Yowah


Yowah is an outback town and locality in the Shire of Paroo, Queensland, Australia. In the, Yowah had a population of 141 people.
The town is known for its opal mining and numerous opal fields that lie around the town as well as the "Yowah Nut" a local type of opal distinctive to the region.

Geography

Yowah is in western Queensland, west of the state capital, Brisbane and west of Cunnamulla.
Access to Yowah is via a bitumen road.

History

The area was first leased in 1883 to prospective settlers and opal mining has been the central operation within the district since the first opal fields were discovered.
In the Yowah had a population of 142.
In 2015 the town committee built two artesian water spa pools.
Yowah State School opened on 22 January 1998. It was one of the smallest state primary schools in Queensland; in 2012 there were three students. The school closed in 2017 due to a lack of students.

Attractions

Yowah has a Rural Transaction Centre which accommodates a tourist information centre, a public library, cafe, internet and tourist information. There is also a caravan park and general store which sells groceries and fuel and an ATM. There is also a free camping area, with amenities. There is a free fossicking area. Opal settings, custom jewellery as well as workshops are available at RABKA Gold and Silversmiths in Matrix Drive.
There is a heritage trail in which to explore the surrounding localities.

Events

Yowah opal festival is a regular festival to promote and celebrate opal mining in the area.

Facilities

operates the Yowah Library, Yowah Rural Transaction centre, Harlequin Drive, Yowah, via Cunnamulla. The Yowah State School opened on 22 January 1998.
There is a public hall and flying doctor rooms with the Doctors attending every Friday. Craft group, indoor bowls and meals /Bar two nights a week.
The town is serviced by the State Emergency Service and the Rural Fire Service. There are two airfield runways which are lit at night.