Julia Creek, Queensland

Julia Creek is a small town in the center of the Australian state of Queensland. It is located at the junction of the Flinders Highway ( A6) with the Wills Developmental Road ( S83 ), 664 kilometers west of Townsville and 137 kilometers east of Cloncurry to 123 m. At the 2006 census, a population of 368 was found.

History

The city was named after the niece of Donald McIntyre, the first white settlers in the area, named. McIntyre moved in 1864 an estate called Dalgonally, about 70 km north of the present town. This was just a few years after the unfortunate expedition of Burke and Wills had moved through the area. The settlement was founded in 1907 at its present location as the terminus of the extended from Richmond railway line to serve the copper mines at Cloncurry.

A village school was founded in 1911 with nine students and expanded in 1932 and 1934. In 1963 they built their own high school. In 1972 a hospital with 16 beds. In 1952, the city was connected to the general electricity supply.

Economy

The main economic activities in Julia Creek are agriculture (especially cattle and sheep ) and the mining industry, which is mainly driven by the Billiton mine in Cannington. The city is a major livestock trading center with a large stockyard and related facilities. Prior to the extension of the railway in the much larger cities Cloncurry and Mount Isa, Julia Creek was also an important trading station for freight and passenger transport.

Public institutions

Julia Creek has a library, a swimming pool, a museum, a tourist office and an art academy.