Camooweal, a small isolated town in the heart of the Barkly Tablelands, is located on the Barkly Highway between Mt Isa and Tennant Creek, adjacent to the Georgina River and just 13km from the QLD/NT border. The area was first discovered by William Landsborough during his expedition to search for Burke & Wills in 1861 but it wasn't until 1884 that a town was formed to service several pastoral stations that had become well established. Growth into the town was not strong due to the relatively close proximity of Mount Isa as a major service centre but the climate and inhospitable surroundings were also notable. With the Barkly Highway being a major east-west route across Australia, Camooweal has become a useful service centre for motorists however the town embodies all characteristics of a typical remote outpost. Of interest in the area are the Camooweal Caves National Park (10km south).

Population: 200
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Unknown at this stage
Pronunciation: Cam-oo-weel
Postcode: 4828
Local Government: Mount Isa City Council
Location: 1998km north west of Brisbane, 188km north-west of Mt Isa
Main Watercourses: Georgina River
Main Roads: Barkly Highway
Radio Stations (Music): 4LM (AM 666)

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

	Eastern entrance to Camooweal on the Barkly Highway (2006).
	The Barkly Highway, looking east from Cronin St, Camooweal (2006).
	Barkly Street (Barkly Highway), looking east from Nowranie St, Camooweal (2006).
	Barkly Street (Barkly Highway), looking east from Kennedy St, Camooweal (2006).
	And again, this time showing the main service station in Camooweal (2006).
	Unusual kangaroo monument in the park adjacent to Kennedy St/Barkly Hwy junction, Camooweal (2006).
	Austral St, looking north from Barkly Street (Barkly Hwy), Camooweal (2006).

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Copyright © MG 2009