:Boulia, Queensland
{{Redirect|Boulia|the local government area|Shire of Boulia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = town
| name = Boulia
| state = qld
| image = Boulia-outback-queensland-australia.jpg
| caption = Entry into Boulia
| lga = Boulia
| postcode = 4829
| est = 1879
| elevation = 161.8
| coordinates = {{coord|-22.9097|139.9066|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| pop = 314
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| area = 155.1
| timezone = AEST
| utc = +10:00
| maxtemp = 31.7
| mintemp = 16.6
| rainfall = 264.3
| stategov = Gregory
| fedgov = Kennedy
| dist1 = 1721
| location1 = Brisbane
| dist2 = 289
| location2 = Mount Isa
| dist3 = 363
| location3 = Winton
| dist4 = 812
| location4 = Alice Springs, (N.T.)
| near-n = Wills
| near-ne = Wills
| near-e = Wills
| near-se = Wills
| near-s = Wills
| near-sw = Wills
| near-w = Wills
| near-nw = Wills
}}
Boulia ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ʊ|l|i|ə}}) is an outback town and locality in the Shire of Boulia, Queensland, Australia.{{Cite QPN|3993|Boulia (town)|accessdate = 12 September 2015}}{{Cite QPN|42339|Boulia (locality)|12 September 2015}} In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Boulia had a population of 314 people.
Boulia is the administrative centre of the Boulia Shire, population approximately 600, which covers an area of {{convert|61176|km2|mi2}}.
The area is best known for sightings of the Min Min lights,{{cite book|title=The adventures of Tim the Yowie Man cryptonaturalist|author=Tim the Yowie Man|publisher=Random House Australia|year=2001|isbn=174051078X|location=Sydney, Australia|page=256|chapter=Spook of the Min Min Light}} mysterious shimmering lights that appear at night{{Tone inline|date=September 2021}}. The lights are said to be caused by atmospheric refraction that occurs when cold air is trapped below warmer air,{{cite news|title=Science logic spoils outback mystery|date=22 April 2003|work=The Canberra Times|location=Canberra, Australia}} a phenomenon known as Fata Morgana.
Geography
Boulia is in the Central West Queensland and is located approximately {{convert|296|km|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). The Donohue Highway coming from the Northern Territory joins the Boulia Mount Isa Road just outside of Boulia, which together with the Winton Road forms part of the Outback Way billed as "Australia's Longest Shortcut", a {{convert|2800|km}} gravel-and-bitumen road which runs between Laverton in Western Australia and Winton in Queensland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.outbackway.org.au/|title=Australia's Longest Shortcut|website=The Outback Way|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815033223/https://www.outbackway.org.au/|archive-date=15 August 2019|url-status=live|access-date=15 August 2019}}
Boulia is in the Channel Country. All watercourses in this area are part of the Lake Eyre drainage basin,{{Queensland Globe|accessdate=15 August 2019}} and most will dry up before their water reaches Lake Eyre.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/channel-country|title=Channel Country|last=FitzSimons|first=Trish|date=2010|website=Queensland Historical Atlas|publisher=University of Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815054953/https://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/channel-country|archive-date=15 August 2019|url-status=live|access-date=15 August 2019}} Boulia lies on the Burke River, 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.{{Cite QPN|5353|Burke River|watercourse in the Boulia Shire|accessdate=15 August 2019}}
Although it is contrary to the locality boundary principles of the Queensland Government,{{Cite web|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/place-names/naming/boundaries|title=How places are named: Defining boundaries and extent: Locality boundaries|publisher=Queensland Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814040310/https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/place-names/naming/boundaries|archive-date=14 August 2019|url-status=live|access-date=14 August 2019}} the locality of Boulia is an "island" entirely surrounded by the locality of Wills.
Extensive grazing of beef cattle on native vegetation is the predominant industry. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/animal-plant/animal-health/livestock-movement/beef-movement-ead.pdf|title=A Review of the Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Beef Cattle Industry|date=June 2006|website=www.agriculture.gov.au|access-date=19 January 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319145939/http://agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/animal-plant/animal-health/livestock-movement/beef-movement-ead.pdf|archivedate=19 March 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.obeorganic.com/the-obe-story/the-channel-country-grasslands/|title=The Channel Country Grasslands|date=2014|website=OBE Organic|access-date=19 January 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131191402/http://www.obeorganic.com/the-obe-story/the-channel-country-grasslands/|archivedate=31 January 2017}}
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.
History
File:StateLibQld 1 142863 Post Office at Boulia, Queensland, ca. 1948.jpg
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.
The township was gazetted in 1879. Boulia Post Office opened on 1 July 1879.{{Cite web|url=http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&filter=*Boulia*|title=Post Office List|last=Phoenix Auctions History|publisher=Phoenix Auctions|access-date=28 February 2021}}
Boulia Provisional School opened on 7 October 1889. It became Boulia State School on 1 January 1909.{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}} In December 1937, the school building of the closed state school in Selwyn was relocated to be used as a school building in Boulia.{{cite news |date=27 December 1937 |title=BOULIA NOTES. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62159518 |accessdate=4 December 2024 |newspaper=Townsville Daily Bulletin |location=Queensland, Australia |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=LIX |issue=309}}
The Good Shepherd Catholic Church was built in 1955.{{Cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.goodshepherdisa.com.au/our-history|url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Good Shepherd Catholic Parish of Mount Isa|language=en-au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022184615/https://www.goodshepherdisa.com.au/our-history |archive-date=22 October 2020 }}
In 2019, the Boulia Outback Chapel was established in the former Anglican church building. It is part of the Baptist Church.{{Cite web|title=Boulia Outback Chapel|url=https://www.bouliachapel.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220070413/https://www.bouliachapel.com/|archive-date=2020-12-20|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Boulia Chapel|language=en-AU}}
In 2019, the Boulia Outback Chapel was established in the former Anglican church building. It is part of the Baptist Church.{{Cite web|title=Boulia Outback Chapel|url=https://www.bouliachapel.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220070413/https://www.bouliachapel.com/|archive-date=2020-12-20|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Boulia Chapel|language=en-AU}}
{{clear|left}}
Demographics
In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Boulia had a population of 205.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL307600|name=Boulia (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=11 April 2011|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Boulia had a population of 230.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30211|name=Boulia (State Suburb)|accessdate=10 May 2013|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Boulia had a population of 301 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30342|name=Boulia (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Boulia had a population of 314 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30340|name=Boulia (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}
Climate
Boulia experiences a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh), with very hot, occasionally rainy summers, and very mild, dry winters with cool nights and rare frosts. Average maxima vary from {{convert|22.9|C}} in July to {{convert|38.6|C}} in December. Average annual rainfall is very low: {{convert|258.3|mm|in|abbr=on}}, occurring within 24.1 rainfall days. Rainfall is extraordinarily erratic, as while only {{convert|24.1|mm|in|abbr=on}} fell in 1905; {{convert|464.9|mm|in|abbr=on}} was recorded in January 1974 alone. The town is very sunny, averaging 186.4 clear days and only 43.6 cloudy days annually. Extreme temperatures have ranged from {{convert|-1.4|C}} on 31 August 1906 to {{convert|48.3|C}} on 7 February 1915.{{cite web
|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=38003 |title = Boulia Airport Climate (1886-2024) |publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 20, 2024}}
{{Weather box
|location = Boulia (22º54'36"S, 139º54'00"E, 162 m AMSL) (1886-2023 normals and extremes, humidity & dews until 2010)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 47.6
|Feb record high C = 48.3
|Mar record high C = 46.7
|Apr record high C = 41.1
|May record high C = 38.6
|Jun record high C = 35.0
|Jul record high C = 34.1
|Aug record high C = 39.7
|Sep record high C = 41.7
|Oct record high C = 43.9
|Nov record high C = 46.7
|Dec record high C = 47.8
|Jan high C = 38.5
|Feb high C = 37.5
|Mar high C = 35.5
|Apr high C = 31.6
|May high C = 26.7
|Jun high C = 23.3
|Jul high C = 22.9
|Aug high C = 25.8
|Sep high C = 30.2
|Oct high C = 34.3
|Nov high C = 37.0
|Dec high C = 38.6
|Jan low C = 24.7
|Feb low C = 24.1
|Mar low C = 21.9
|Apr low C = 17.3
|May low C = 12.6
|Jun low C = 9.1
|Jul low C = 7.8
|Aug low C = 9.6
|Sep low C = 13.7
|Oct low C = 18.0
|Nov low C = 21.5
|Dec low C = 23.5
|Jan record low C = 11.1
|Feb record low C = 10.6
|Mar record low C = 10.2
|Apr record low C = 1.7
|May record low C = 0.0
|Jun record low C = -0.8
|Jul record low C = -1.1
|Aug record low C = -1.4
|Sep record low C = 1.7
|Oct record low C = 5.6
|Nov record low C = 8.9
|Dec record low C = 10.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 48.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 48.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 36.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 12.9
|May precipitation mm = 12.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 10.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 9.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 6.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 7.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 14.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 21.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 30.7
|year precipitation mm = 258.6
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4.0
|Feb precipitation days = 3.6
|Mar precipitation days = 2.7
|Apr precipitation days = 1.2
|May precipitation days = 1.3
|Jun precipitation days = 1.2
|Jul precipitation days = 1.0
|Aug precipitation days = 0.8
|Sep precipitation days = 1.3
|Oct precipitation days = 1.8
|Nov precipitation days = 2.3
|Dec precipitation days = 2.9
|Jan afthumidity = 29
|Feb afthumidity = 32
|Mar afthumidity = 31
|Apr afthumidity = 28
|May afthumidity = 31
|Jun afthumidity = 35
|Jul afthumidity = 32
|Aug afthumidity = 26
|Sep afthumidity = 22
|Oct afthumidity = 21
|Nov afthumidity = 22
|Dec afthumidity = 24
|Jan dew point C = 12.9
|Feb dew point C = 14.1
|Mar dew point C = 12.5
|Apr dew point C = 8.5
|May dew point C = 6.1
|Jun dew point C = 4.9
|Jul dew point C = 2.9
|Aug dew point C = 2.0
|Sep dew point C = 2.8
|Oct dew point C = 5.0
|Nov dew point C = 7.1
|Dec dew point C = 9.9
|source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology (1886-2023 normals and extremes, humidity & dews until 2010){{cite web
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_038003_All.shtml
|title = Boulia Airport Climate Statistics (1886-2024)
|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology
|access-date = July 20, 2024}}
}}
Events
The town hosts the Boulia Camel Races, the longest camel race (running a 1500m cup final) on the Australian camel racing circuit.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bouliacamelraces.com.au/|title=Boulia Camel Races 19–21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815034030/http://www.bouliacamelraces.com.au/|archive-date=15 August 2019|url-status=live|access-date=15 August 2019}}
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.
Facilities
File:Min Min Encounter, 2016.jpg
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.{{Cite web|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries|title=Directory of Public Libraries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111192343/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=11 January 2018}}
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.{{cite web |url= http://queenslandplaces.com.au/boulia-and-boulia-shire |title= Boulia |publisher= Centre for the Government of Queensland |accessdate= 21 December 2011 |url-status= live |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110305130057/http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/boulia-and-boulia-shire |archivedate= 5 March 2011 }}
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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-29/outback-town-3d-pedestrian-crossing/9809394|title=Outback town takes a 3D approach to slowing motorists at pedestrian crossings|last=Bhole|first=Aneeta|date=29 May 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=30 May 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529085547/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-29/outback-town-3d-pedestrian-crossing/9809394|archivedate=29 May 2018}}
The Boulia branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 61 Moonah Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch locations|website=Queensland Country Women's Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=26 December 2018}}
Boulia Outback Chapel is at 49 Moonah Street ({{Coord|-22.9105|139.9082|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Boulia Outback Chapel}}).
File:Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Boulia, 2019.jpg
The Good Shepherd Catholic Church is at 33 Moonah Street ({{Coord|-22.9102|139.9101|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Good Shepherd Catholic Church}}).{{Cite web|title=Our Community|url=https://www.goodshepherdisa.com.au/our-community|url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Good Shepherd Catholic Parish of Mount Isa|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022182218/https://www.goodshepherdisa.com.au/our-community |archive-date=22 October 2020 }}
Education
Boulia State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at Templeton Street ({{coord|-22.9084|139.9109|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Boulia State School}}).{{cite web|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|title=State and non-state school details|date=9 July 2018|publisher=Queensland Government|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018|url-status=live|accessdate=21 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://bouliass.eq.edu.au/|title=Boulia State School|access-date=28 February 2021 }} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 27 students with 4 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archivedate=22 November 2018|url-status=live|accessdate=22 November 2018}}
There are no secondary schools in Boulia. 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 offers boarding facilities.{{Cite web|url=https://spinifexsc.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Documents/Policies%20and%20Procedures/residential-prospectus-2015.pdf|title=Residential Campus|date=2015|website=Spinifex State College|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815073816/https://spinifexsc.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Documents/Policies%20and%20Procedures/residential-prospectus-2015.pdf|archive-date=15 August 2019|url-status=live|access-date=15 August 2019}} Other boarding schools or distance education would be options for secondary schooling.
Mars
The name Boulia is used as a name for a crater on the planet Mars, specifically commemorating the town.{{cite web|url=https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/842?__fsk=-1915221476|title=Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature|publisher=Astrogeology Research Program, NASA|accessdate=9 April 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407144440/https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/842?__fsk=-1915221476|archivedate=7 April 2017}}
Heritage listings
Boulia has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Boulia, Queensland}}
- [http://www.boulia.qld.gov.au Shire website]
- [http://queenslandplaces.com.au/boulia-and-boulia-shire University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Boulia and Boulia Shire]
- [https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-boulia-1974.jpg Town map of Boulia, 1974]
{{Shire of Boulia}}
{{authority control}}
Category:1879 establishments in Australia