Boulia, Queensland

Boulia is in the Central West Queensland and is located approximately 296 kilometres (184 mi) by road south of Mount Isa. Boulia is at the crossroads of a number of outback routes, including the Boulia Mount Isa Road (which goes north-west towards Mount Isa), the Selwyn Road (which goes north-east to Selwyn), the Winton Road, which goes east toward Winton), and the Boulia Bedourie Road (which goes south-west to Bedourie).[6] The Donohue Highway coming from the Northern Territory joins the Boulia Mount Isa Road just outside of Boulia,[6] which together with the Winton Road forms part of the Outback Way billed as "Australia's Longest Shortcut", a 2,800 kilometres (1,700 mi) gravel-and-bitumen road which runs between Laverton in Western Australia and Winton in Queensland.[7]

Boulia is in the Channel Country. All watercourses in this area are part of the Lake Eyre drainage basin,[6] and most will dry up before their water reaches Lake Eyre.[8] Boulia lies on the Burke River,[6] which was named after the explorer Robert O'Hara Burke who passed through the area with the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860. The river flows from the north-east to the south-east through the locality[9]

Although it is contrary to the locality boundary principles of the Queensland Government,[10] the locality of Boulia is an "island" entirely surrounded by the locality of Wills.[6]

Extensive grazing of beef cattle on native vegetation is the predominant industry.[6] Boulia is at the heart of the Channel Country of western Queensland where, during rain events, channels running between the rivers and creeks of the region fill with water and spread that water over expansive areas. When it does rain heavily, the Mitchell grass plains respond magnificently and result in the Channel country around Boulia, being among the finest beef producing country in Australia.[11][12]

The town has a grid layout with 6 roads running east-west and 5 running north-south. Herbert Street is the main street where most of the civic and commercial premises are located.[6]

Boulia Post Office, circa 1948

The town was named by surveyor Frederick Arthur Hartnell in 1882 and was derived from the name of the waterhole near the township called "bool-yo" in the Pitta Pitta language.[2]

The township was gazetted in 1879. Boulia Post Office opened on 1 July 1879.[13]

Boulia Provisional School opened on 7 October 1889. It became Boulia State School on 1 January 1909.[14]

The Good Shepherd Catholic Church was built in 1955.[15]

At the 2011 census, Boulia had a population of 230,[16] up from 205 in 2006.[17]

In 2019 the Boulia Outback Chapel was established in the former Anglican church building. It is part of the Baptist Church.[18]

The climate is very hot and dry, with on average over 200 days per year over 30 °C (86 °F). Although even in June and July the average maximum is a very warm 24 °C (75 °F), frosts are not unknown in the morning during these months. Annual rainfall is extraordinarily erratic: it has been as low as 24 millimetres (0.9 in) in 1905 and 51 millimetres (2 in) in 1963. However, when the monsoon is strong rainfall can be heavy: in January 1974 Boulia received 465 millimetres (18.3 in) of rain and in March 1950 346 millimetres (14 in). Maximum annual rainfall totals are 799 millimetres (31.5 in) in 1950 and 774 millimetres (30.5 in) in 1974, but the median annual rainfall is only 216 millimetres (9 in).[19]

The town hosts the Boulia Desert Sands Camel Races, the longest camel race (running a 1500m cup final) on the Australian camel racing circuit.[21]

Each year at Easter, the Boulia Racecourse reserve plays host to a rodeo, campdrafting, and horse racing event which is a social highlight for the district.

During August drag races are held at the Boulia Airport which attracts an enthusiastic crowd.

Min Min Encounter, 2016

Boulia has a range of public facilities open to the community. These include a public library, public hall, sports complex, racecourse, the Min Min encounter tourist centre, museum, visitor information centre, and camel races. The Boulia Shire Council operates a public library at 18 Burke Street.[22]

An 18-hole golf course with sand greens is located on the Boulia Winton Road. Greens fees are not charged for the use of this course and a clubhouse with bar facilities is available.[23]

Boulia has Australia's first three-dimensional zebra crossing which is based on an optical illusion. It is to improve road safety and also to be a tourist attraction. It was introduced in 2018 after Boulia Shire Council mayor Rick Britton saw similar crossings in Iceland, Malaysia, India, New Zealand and the United States on social media.[24]

The Boulia branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 61 Moonah Street.[25]

Boulia Outback Chapel is at 49 Moonah Street (22.9105°S 139.9082°E / -22.9105; 139.9082 (Boulia Outback Chapel)).[18]

Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2019

The Good Shepherd Catholic Church is at 33 Moonah Street (22.9102°S 139.9101°E / -22.9102; 139.9101 (Good Shepherd Catholic Church)).[26]

Boulia State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at Templeton Street (22.9084°S 139.9109°E / -22.9084; 139.9109 (Boulia State School)).[27][28] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 27 students with 4 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[29]

There are no secondary schools in Boulia.[6] The nearest secondary schools are in Mount Isa and Winton, but these are too distant for a daily commute. The Spinifex State College in Mount Isa[6] offers boarding facilities.[30] Other boarding schools or distance education would be options for secondary schooling.

The name Boulia is used as a name for a crater on the planet Mars, specifically commemorating the town.[31]

Boulia has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Pituri Street: Boulia Stone House[32]

• Boulia Airport

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boulia, Queensland.

• Shire website
• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Boulia and Boulia Shire
• Town map of Boulia, 1974