Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Richmond (QLD)

Richmond

Richmond, situated approximately half way between Townsville and Mt Isa on the Flinders Highway is an attractive outback town that lies against the Flinders River. The area was first discovered by explorer William Landsborough during his expedition to search for Burke & Wills. The first settlers arrived into the area in 1862 and an ensuring gold rush in the 1880's along with the arrival of the railway from Townsville in 1904 sparked growth in the town. Once the mining ceased, the town became a centre for the local sheep and cattle industries on the back of tapping into the Great Artesian Basin for a continual supply of water. In recent times the discovery of abundant fossil deposits from a shallow inland sea that once encompassed the area has opened up tourism and interest from archaeologists. The town, along with Hughenden and Winton have formed a "fossil triangle" by that of Australia's Dinosaur Trail (self drive guided tours). Also of interest in the area is Lake Fred Tritton, a superb water park established in town by the local council and Kronosaurus Korner - Richmond's hub for their part in the Dinosaur Trail, both of which are recommended.

Population: 550
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Named from the station Richmond Downs, which name originated from the settlers who came from the Richmond River district in New South Wales.
Pronunciation: Rich-mond
Postcode: 4822
Local Government: Richmond Shire Council
Location: 1576km north west of Brisbane, 490km west of Townsville
Main Watercourses: Flinders River
Main Roads: Flinders Highway
Radio Stations (Music): Rebel FM (99.7), 4GC (AM 765)

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

Western entrance to Richmond on the Flinders Hwy (2006).

Goldring St, looking north from Larsen St, Richmond (2006).

Goldring St, looking south from Harris St, Richmond (2006).

Goldring St, looking north from Tolano St, Richmond (2006).

Goldring St, looking south from Tolano St, Richmond (2006).

Goldring St, looking south from Clayton St, Richmond (2006).

Goldring St (Flinders Hwy), looking north from Carter St, Richmond (2006).

Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond (2006).

Lions Park, looking north in Richmond (2006).

Lake Fred Tritton, looking south-east, Richmond (2006).

Lake Fred Tritton, looking north, Richmond (2006).

	Western entrance to Richmond on the Flinders Hwy (2006).
	Goldring St, looking north from Larsen St, Richmond (2006).
	Goldring St, looking south from Harris St, Richmond (2006).
	Goldring St, looking north from Tolano St, Richmond (2006).
	Goldring St, looking south from Tolano St, Richmond (2006).
	Goldring St, looking south from Clayton St, Richmond (2006).
	Goldring St (Flinders Hwy), looking north from Carter St, Richmond (2006).
	Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond (2006).
	Lions Park, looking north in Richmond (2006).
	Lake Fred Tritton, looking south-east, Richmond (2006).
	Lake Fred Tritton, looking north, Richmond (2006).