Julia Creek, Queensland

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Julia Creek
state = qld


caption =
lga = McKinlay Shire Council
postcode = 4823
est =
pop = 506
elevation= 123
maxtemp = 33.3
mintemp = 17.4
rainfall = 461.3
stategov = Mount Isa
fedgov = Kennedy
dist1 = 1642
dir1 = NW
location1= Brisbane
dist2 = 664
dir2 = W
location2= Townsville
dist3 = 278
dir3 = E
location3= Mount Isa

Julia Creek (coord|20|39|S|141|44|E|region:AU-QLD_type:city) is a town in northern Queensland, located on the Overlander's Way, the main road between Mount Isa and Townsville. It is convert|664|km|mi|0|lk=on west of Townsville, and is located 123 m above sea level. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/queensland/julia-creek/2005/02/17/1108500203455.html SMH Travel Guide - Julia Creek] , retrieved March 9, 2007] At the 2001 census, Julia Creek had a population of 506.Census 2001 AUS
id = UCL330200
name = Julia Creek (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)
quick = on
accessdate = 2007-06-29]

History

The town was named after the niece of Donald McIntyre, the first white settler in the area. [ [http://www.micrrh.jcu.edu.au/Our-Region/julia-creek.html Towns - Julia Creek] , James Cook University, retrieved March 9, 2007] McIntyre originally built a property about 70 km north of the present site of the town in 1862, only a year after the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition passed through the area. The small town that built up around the property began to grow about 1908 when the first railway was built in the region, connecting the town to the cities on the coast.

A one-room school was established in 1911 with nine students, and was expanded in 1932 and again in 1934. A separate high school was constructed in 1963. [ [http://www.micrrh.jcu.edu.au/Our-Region/julia-creek.html Towns - Julia Creek] , James Cook University, retrieved March 9, 2007] A sixteen-bed hospital was established in 1972. [ [http://www.health.qld.gov.au/wwwprofiles/mtisa_jcreek_hosp.asp Queensland Health Facility Profile - Julia Creek Hospital] , retrieved March 9, 2007.] The town did not receive an electricity supply until 1952.

Economy

The town's main industries are farming, (especially the beef and wool industries), and mining, which is mainly centred around the BHP Billiton 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.

ee also

*Julia Creek Airport

References

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=141%C2%B044E+20%C2%B039S&ll=-20.647242,141.729813&spn=0.227379,0.324200&t=k&hl=en Google Maps Aerial Photography]
* [http://www.walkabout.fairfax.com.au/fairfax/locations/QLDJuliaCreek.shtml Fairfax Digital Travel Guide]
* [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW4067.latest.shtml Bureau of Meteorology Weather Conditions]