Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Boulia

Boulia

Boulia, an isolated town in north-western QLD lies at the junction of the Kennedy and Diamantina Developmental Roads and along the Burke River. The first explorers in the region were Burke & Wills on their ill-fated journey. The town was established in the 1880's to help promote the growing pastoral industries, of which nowadays is predominantly cattle and sheep farming and continues to support the region. The nearby Min Min Hotel burnt down (ruins 60km east) in 1912 and ever since a strange light phenomenon called the Min Min Lights is known to haunt travelers in the region. The local Council has erected the Min Min Encounter Complex (also the tourist information bureau) which invites tourists to find out more about the light phenomenon and is the primary attraction in Boulia. Otherwise the town has limited services although the on-going beautification of Herbert Street is an achievement considering the surrounding arid environment.

Population: 250
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Of Aboriginal origin meaning "waterhole"
Pronunciation: Bull-ya
Postcode: 4829
Local Government: Boulia Shire Council
Location: 1709km north west of Brisbane, 297km south of Mt Isa
Main Watercourses: Burke River
Main Roads: Diamantina Developmental Road Kennedy Developmental Road
Radio Stations (Music): None

Photos from Boulia (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Northern entrance to Boulia on the Diamantina Developmental Road (2006).

Herbert St (Diamantina Dev Rd), looking east towards Burke St, Boulia (2006).

And again, this time looking along the eastbound carraigeway (2006).

View west along Herbert St (Diamantina Dev Rd), Boulia (2006).

The Herbert St median strip - nicely irrigated, Boulia (2006).

Herbert St/Burke St intersection with the Boulia war memorial (2006).

Herbert St, looking east from Hamilton St, Boulia (2006).

Burke St, looking north from Herbert St, Boulia (2006).

The Diamantina Developmental Rd, heading east as it crosses the Burke River, Boulia (2006).

The Burke River, looking north, Boulia (2006).

And again, this time looking south (2006).

	Northern entrance to Boulia on the Diamantina Developmental Road (2006).
	Herbert St (Diamantina Dev Rd), looking east towards Burke St, Boulia (2006).
	And again, this time looking along the eastbound carraigeway (2006).
	View west along Herbert St (Diamantina Dev Rd), Boulia (2006).
	The Herbert St median strip - nicely irrigated, Boulia (2006).
	Herbert St/Burke St intersection with the Boulia war memorial (2006).
	Herbert St, looking east from Hamilton St, Boulia (2006).
	Burke St, looking north from Herbert St, Boulia (2006).
	The Diamantina Developmental Rd, heading east as it crosses the Burke River, Boulia (2006).
	The Burke River, looking north, Boulia (2006).
	And again, this time looking south (2006).