Julia Creek
Queensland
Sunrise over the plains, Julia Creek
Julia Creek is located in Queensland
Julia Creek
Julia Creek
Coordinates20°39′23″S 141°44′37″E / 20.6563°S 141.7436°E / -20.6563; 141.7436 (Julia Creek (town centre))
Population377 (UCL 2021)[1]
Postcode(s)4823
Elevation123 m (404 ft)
Area6,186.2 km2 (2,388.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Mckinlay
State electorate(s)Traeger
Federal division(s)Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
33.3 °C
92 °F		 17.4 °C
63 °F		 461.3 mm
18.2 in
Localities around Julia Creek:
Taldora Taldora Malpas-Trenton
Cloncurry Julia Creek Maxwelton
Mckinlay Mckinlay Kynuna

Julia Creek is an outback town and locality in the Shire of Mckinlay, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, the locality of Julia Creek had a population of 511 people.[4]

The town of Oorindi is within the west of the locality (20°41′29″S 141°04′27″E / 20.6913°S 141.0741°E / -20.6913; 141.0741 (Oorindi (abandoned town))) beside the Oorindi railway station; as at 2019, there is nothing in the town.[5][6] The town of Gilliat is within the west of the locality (20°41′12″S 141°30′04″E / 20.6866°S 141.5011°E / -20.6866; 141.5011 (Gilliart (abandoned town))) beside the Gilliat railway station; as at 2019, there is nothing in the town.[6][7]

Geography

Julia Creek is a town in mid-northern Queensland, located on the Flinders Highway (Overlanders Way), the main road between Mount Isa and Townsville. It is 664 kilometres (413 mi) west of Townsville, and is located 123 m above sea level.[8]

The town of Julia Creek is on the Great Northern Railway; the locality being served by a number of railway stations (from west to east):

Climate

Julia Creek Post Office, Queensland, Australia
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
128
 
 
38
24
 
 
113
 
 
36
24
 
 
56
 
 
36
22
 
 
17
 
 
34
18
 
 
15
 
 
30
14
 
 
12
 
 
27
10
 
 
7.7
 
 
27
9
 
 
2.4
 
 
29
11
 
 
5.5
 
 
33
14
 
 
16
 
 
36
19
 
 
30
 
 
38
21
 
 
68
 
 
38
23
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
5.1
 
 
100
75
 
 
4.4
 
 
98
74
 
 
2.2
 
 
96
71
 
 
0.7
 
 
92
65
 
 
0.6
 
 
85
58
 
 
0.5
 
 
80
51
 
 
0.3
 
 
80
48
 
 
0.1
 
 
84
52
 
 
0.2
 
 
91
58
 
 
0.6
 
 
97
66
 
 
1.2
 
 
100
70
 
 
2.7
 
 
101
73
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Julia Creek experiences a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh, Trewartha: BShl), with a very hot and humid, yet short, wet season from December to March; and a long, warm-to-hot dry season from April to November, albeit with relatively cool nights.

Climate data for Julia Creek Post Office, Queensland, Australia (1912–2011 normals and extremes); 123 m AMSL
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 45.6
(114.1)		 45.0
(113.0)		 41.5
(106.7)		 39.8
(103.6)		 36.0
(96.8)		 34.5
(94.1)		 36.0
(96.8)		 37.8
(100.0)		 41.2
(106.2)		 42.3
(108.1)		 46.5
(115.7)		 45.0
(113.0)		 46.5
(115.7)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 42.0
(107.6)		 40.6
(105.1)		 38.5
(101.3)		 36.7
(98.1)		 33.3
(91.9)		 30.7
(87.3)		 30.8
(87.4)		 33.2
(91.8)		 36.7
(98.1)		 39.6
(103.3)		 41.5
(106.7)		 42.0
(107.6)		 42.0
(107.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 37.6
(99.7)		 36.4
(97.5)		 35.6
(96.1)		 33.5
(92.3)		 29.7
(85.5)		 26.8
(80.2)		 26.5
(79.7)		 29.0
(84.2)		 32.5
(90.5)		 36.0
(96.8)		 37.9
(100.2)		 38.3
(100.9)		 33.3
(92.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 30.7
(87.3)		 30.0
(86.0)		 28.6
(83.5)		 25.9
(78.6)		 22.0
(71.6)		 18.6
(65.5)		 17.8
(64.0)		 20.0
(68.0)		 23.5
(74.3)		 27.4
(81.3)		 29.6
(85.3)		 30.7
(87.3)		 25.4
(77.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.8
(74.8)		 23.6
(74.5)		 21.5
(70.7)		 18.2
(64.8)		 14.3
(57.7)		 10.3
(50.5)		 9.1
(48.4)		 10.9
(51.6)		 14.4
(57.9)		 18.7
(65.7)		 21.3
(70.3)		 23.0
(73.4)		 17.4
(63.4)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 20.8
(69.4)		 21.0
(69.8)		 17.6
(63.7)		 14.2
(57.6)		 8.9
(48.0)		 5.0
(41.0)		 3.9
(39.0)		 5.8
(42.4)		 9.0
(48.2)		 13.8
(56.8)		 17.0
(62.6)		 19.2
(66.6)		 3.9
(39.0)
Record low °C (°F) 15.0
(59.0)		 16.3
(61.3)		 2.2
(36.0)		 6.7
(44.1)		 1.9
(35.4)		 −0.9
(30.4)		 0.0
(32.0)		 1.9
(35.4)		 3.0
(37.4)		 5.5
(41.9)		 8.9
(48.0)		 13.0
(55.4)		 −0.9
(30.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 128.3
(5.05)		 112.9
(4.44)		 56.0
(2.20)		 16.8
(0.66)		 14.8
(0.58)		 11.7
(0.46)		 7.7
(0.30)		 2.4
(0.09)		 5.5
(0.22)		 15.6
(0.61)		 30.4
(1.20)		 67.6
(2.66)		 469.7
(18.47)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 7.2 6.6 3.5 1.2 1.1 0.9 0.7 0.4 0.7 1.5 2.8 4.9 31.5
Average relative humidity (%) 49.0 53.0 46.5 39.0 43.5 43.0 38.0 32.5 28.0 28.5 32.5 38.0 39.3
Average dew point °C (°F) 18.5
(65.3)		 19.0
(66.2)		 16.6
(61.9)		 11.8
(53.2)		 9.7
(49.5)		 6.6
(43.9)		 3.9
(39.0)		 4.1
(39.4)		 4.9
(40.8)		 8.8
(47.8)		 11.8
(53.2)		 15.1
(59.2)		 10.9
(51.6)
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology (1912–2011 normals and extremes)[11]

History

The name Julia Creek was named after the niece of Donald McIntyre (younger brother of explorer Duncan McIntyre), the first white settler in the area.[12] McIntyre took up a property called Dalgonally about 70 kilometres (43 mi) north of the present site of the town in 1864, only a few years after the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition passed through the area.

The township began life as a temporary railway terminus in 1907 when the Great Northern railway line was extended from Richmond to service the copper mines at Cloncurry.[13]

The name Oorindi is the Aboriginal name for the Williams River (which is about 12 kilometres [7.5 mi] west of Oorindi) and means stones.[14]

Julia Creek Post Office opened by September 1910 (a receiving office had been open from 1907).[15]

Julia Creek State School was a one-room school established in 1911 with nine students, and was expanded in 1932 and again in 1934.[16][17] A separate high school was constructed in 1963.[12]

In 1952 the town was serviced with electricity.

St Joseph's School opened in 1955 and closed in 1995.[18]

A sixteen-bed hospital was established in 1972.[19]

Julia Creek Public Library was opened in 1994.[20]

In the 2016 census. the locality of Julia Creek had a population of 511 people.[4]

The Dirt n Dust Festival sporting and music festival was held in the town annually from 1995 to 2019 and was considered one of Queensland's largest events of its type. After cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced in July 2021 that due to a lack of volunteers, and there being no committee to run the event, the Dirt n Dust Festival would no longer be held.[21][22] But in December 2021, an organising committee was formed and the 2022 festival is expected to commence on Friday 22 April.[23]

Economy

The town's main industries are farming, (especially the beef and wool industries), and mining, which is mainly centred on the South32 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.

Julia Creek is also home to the Julia Creek dunnart which is now endangered because of feral animals (wild cats, dogs and foxes).

Education

Julia Creek State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at Burke Street (20°39′24″S 141°44′47″E / 20.6568°S 141.7463°E / -20.6568; 141.7463 (Julia Creek State School)).[24][25] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 34 students with 3 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[26]

There are no secondary schools in Julia Creek. The nearest secondary schools are in Richmond (only to Year 10) and Cloncurry (to Year 12).[6]

Amenities

Julia Creek has a public library, visitor and cultural centre, swimming pool, tennis courts, parks as well as a sports centre.

The Mckinlay Shire Council operates a public library in Julia Creek at 56 Burke Street.[27]

The Julia Creek branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 51 Burke Street.[28]

St Barnabas Anglican Church is at 1 Burke Street. Anglican services recommenced in 2020.[29]

Regular services by the Uniting Church in Australia are held in St Baranabas Anglican Church. These are provided by the McKay Patrol, an aerial service of the Uniting Church in Australia that operates out of Cloncurry. Supported by other denominations, the McKay Patrol operates a Cessna 182Q aeroplane to provide spiritual and practical help to people living in remote areas in the north-west of Queensland and the eastern Tablelands of the Northern Territory, an area of approximately 625,000 square kilometres (241,000 sq mi) with a population of fewer than 10,000 people.[30][31][32]

Transport

Preceding station Queensland Rail Queensland Rail Following station
Long distance rail services
Richmond
towards Townsville
 The Inlander Cloncurry
towards Mount Isa

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Julia Creek (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021. 
  2. ↑ "Julia Creek – town in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 17428)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "Julia Creek – locality in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 42263)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  4. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Julia Creek (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Oorindi – town in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 25497)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  7. ↑ "Gilliat – town in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 13769)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  8. ↑ SMH Travel Guide - Julia Creek Archived 17 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 9 March 2007
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Railway stations and sidings - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Julia Creek – railway station in the Mckinlay Shire (entry 17429)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  11. ↑ "Julia Creek Post Office, QLD Climate (1912-2011 normals and extremes)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  12. 1 2 Towns - Julia Creek Archived 27 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine, James Cook University, retrieved 9 March 2007
  13. ↑ "ON THE OUT-BACK TRACK". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. XXIV, no. 7724. Queensland, Australia. 10 July 1907. p. 10. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ↑ "NOMENCLATURE OF QUEENSLAND.—231". The Courier-mail. No. 881. Queensland, Australia. 26 June 1936. p. 12. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Julia Creek SS". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  17. ↑ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  18. ↑ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  19. ↑ Queensland Health Facility Profile - Julia Creek Hospital Archived 27 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 9 March 2007.
  20. ↑ "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  21. ↑ Brown, Trudy (2 July 2021). "DONE N DUSTED: Lack of committee ends popular festival". Townsville Bulletin. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  22. ↑ Barry, Derek (2 July 2021). "Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival has had to close down". The North West Star. Australian Community Media. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  23. ↑ Barry, Derek (2 December 2021). "Planning full steam ahead for 2022 Dirt N Dust Festival". The North West Star. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  25. ↑ "Julia Creek State School". Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  26. ↑ "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  27. ↑ "Julia Creek Library". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  28. ↑ "Branch locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  29. ↑ "Outback Owens" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  30. ↑ "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  31. ↑ "About the McKay Patrol". McKay Patrol. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  32. ↑ "About MJZ". McKay Patrol. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.

Further reading

  • Cook, Penny (2007), Julia Creek : a pictorial history : centenary edition 1907 - 2007, Pictorial Press Australia
  • Wallace, Jan, (compiler.); Brown, Robert, (photographer.); Julia Creek Historical Society; Julia Creek Information Centre (issuing body) (2006), Discover Mckinlay : Julia Creek, McKinlay, Kynuna, Nelia, Corinda, Qld. Pictorial Press Australia, Julia Creek Information Centre, McKinlay Shire Council, ISBN 978-1-876561-41-3{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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