Yaraka

Yaraka is in Central West Queensland, Australia. It was the terminus of a Yaraka branch railway line. It is located 220 kilometres (140 mi) south of Longreach, 165 kilometres (103 mi) west of Blackall and 100 kilometres (62 mi) south of the town of Isisford.

The landscape is open Mitchell grass downs country, which provides good grazing country. Grey Range is located near Yaraka and is characterised by rocky ridges, spinifex grass and mulga.

Yaraka Railway Station in 1917 shortly after the rail link was opened. The Queensland Premier, Mr T. J. Ryan visited the new site.

The first European to pass through the area was Edmund Kennedy in 1847. In 1860, graziers began to populate the area and farm sheep and cattle. In 1910, the Queensland Government authorised the building of the 2,060-kilometre (1,280 mi) railway line in Western Queensland to support the pastoral industry. However, only a quarter of the line was built and Yaraka became the end of the Yaraka branch railway line.

Yaraka became a town when the Yaraka branch railway line from Emmet opened in April 1917.[2] The station was called Yaraka by the Queensland Railway Department who said it was the Aboriginal name meaning "of white spear grass which grows in the district"[3] or referring to button grass Eleusine aegyptica.[1]

Yaraka State School opened on 5 March 1920.[4] It closed in 2009.[5]

The town prospered for the next twenty years and in the 1930s had a population of about 100.[6] In 1932 a journalist toured this area and described the town in the following terms.

"Yaraka: This little place is the end of the line, and enjoys the privilege of seeing one train a week. It is situated well down the Barcoo, about one hundred miles from where the rivers meet, and becomes Cooper's Creek.

No doubt people who live and work in isolated places such as this are entitled to more consideration than they receive. They certainly have courage and endurance above the average."[7]

On Saturday 19 March 1932 a strong gale of wind during a storm blew the Church of England off its blocks and three houses lost their roof.[8]

In the 1950s Yaraka railway station became a major centre for the transportation of cattle. In November 1953 over 5,442 cattle were handled which was the largest number since the line opened in 1917. It was noted that this was unusual in these country yards and that Yaraka was unsurpassed in this respect.[9]

The line was officially closed on 14 October 2005 and has been dismantled.[10] These days however Yaraka has become known as one of Queensland's 'vanishing towns' and its population is declining. In 2009, the school closed due to low student numbers. In 2014, the school building was gifted to the local community. In 2016 the community reopened the school with the children enrolled at Longreach School of Distance Education but locally assisted by a governess employed by the families.[5]

Mount Slocombe Lookout (24.8427°S 144.0580°E / -24.8427; 144.0580 (Mount Slocombe lookout)) is off the Emmet Yaraka Road has been described as "an ideal place to enjoy the stunning outback sunset or the glorious colours of a sunrise".[11] The view takes in the Yanyang Range (24.9092°S 144.0997°E / -24.9092; 144.0997 (Yanyang Range)),[12] Mount Brookes at 379 metres (1,243 ft) above sea level (24.8036°S 144.0781°E / -24.8036; 144.0781 (Mount Brookes))[13] and Fort Douglas at 321 metres (1,053 ft) above sea level (24.8975°S 143.9989°E / -24.8975; 143.9989 (Fort Douglas)),[14] all with ever changing colours, shadows and shades. There is a sealed road and electric barbeque and picnic area at the summit. Nearby waterholes offer an abundance of bird and wildlife.[15]

Magee’s Shanty is the historic site of the shanty immortalised in Banjo Paterson's poem "A Bush Christening", There is also the ruins of the Cobb & Co pub and the lonely grave of goldminer Richard Magoffin who perished in 1885.[16]

Yaraka Opal Field encompasses the mines within and west of the Macedon Range including Harlequin and Mount Tighe. It is known for top patterns and various types of opal in as many as eight levels. Mines include Spur, Polykettle, Cockatoo and Pretty Gully.[17]

There are two national parks near Yaraka. Welford National Park is notable for golden-green spinifex, white-barked ghost gums and red sand dunes.[18] A highlight of Idalia National Park are the dense Mulga woodlands and views.[19]

Other activities include exploring, fishing, tennis and golf.[15]

There is a hotel providing accommodation.

Occasional services are held at the Anglican church in Quilp Street (24.8851°S 144.0757°E / -24.8851; 144.0757 (Yaraka Anglican Church)).[20]

Other amenities operated by the Longreach Regional Council include a community hall, showgrounds, swimming pool, tennis courts and camping facilities.[21]

There are free caravan sites with water and electricity near the Yaraka Community Hall.[22]

Summer Average (day) Min temp=35.8⁰, Max temp=37.1⁰ Summer Average (night) Min temp=21.9⁰, Max temp=22.9⁰

Winter Average (day) Min temp=22.5⁰, Max Temp=25.1⁰ Winter Average (night) Min temp=6.5⁰, Max Temp=7.9⁰

Average annual rainfall 451mm

There are no schools in Yaraka nor nearby. The nearest primary school is Isisford State School in Isisford, 102 kilometres (63 mi) to the north. The nearest secondary school is Blackall State School in Blackall, 162 kilometres (101 mi) to the north-east.[23] Distance education and boarding schools are the alternatives. The former Yaraka State School building a 11 Quilp Street (24.8860°S 144.0754°E / -24.8860; 144.0754 (Yaraka State School (former))) is available for children undertaking distance education to study together with the assistance of a governess.[5]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yaraka.

• "Town map of Yaraka". Queensland Government. 1969.