Camooweal
| Camooweal Queensland | |||||||||
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 Post Office Hotel, 2019 | |||||||||
  Camooweal | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 19°55′16″S 138°07′10″E / 19.9211°S 138.1194°E | ||||||||
| Population | 236 | ||||||||
| • Density | 0.02475/km2 (0.06409/sq mi) | ||||||||
| Established | 1884 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 231.2 m (759 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | 9,537.0 km2 (3,682.3 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||
| Location |
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Camooweal is a very small town in northwest Queensland, Australia. It is part of the City of Mount Isa and is located close to the Northern Territory border, along the Barkly Highway. Camooweal is about 190 kilometres (120 miles) northwest of Mount Isa and around 1,900 kilometres (1,180 miles) from Brisbane.
Geography
Camooweal is in the far northwest Outback, in a dry region with flat grasslands, red dirt, and low shrubs. The area is part of the Georgina River basin, and floods sometimes happen during the wet season.
It is often called the "Gateway to the Northern Territory", as it sits just 12 km from the border.
Climate
Camooweal has a hot semi-arid to arid climate.
Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C (104°F), while winters are warm during the day and cold at night, with lows near 5°C (41°F), most rain falls between November and March, and the rest of the year is mostly dry and sunny.
Population
As of the 2021 census, 191 people live in Camooweal. The population is small, but the town provides services for travelers, truckers, and nearby cattle stations.
History
Camooweal sits on the traditional lands of the Indjilandji people. European settlers arrived in the 1860s, and Camooweal grew as a stop for drovers, truckers, and stock routes.
Economy
The local economy is based on:
- Cattle grazing
- Road transport services
- Tourism, especially from people driving across Australia
Transport
Camooweal is a key stop for long-distance travel:
- Located on the Barkly Highway, connecting Mount Isa (QLD) and Tennant Creek (NT)
- Popular stop for truck drivers and caravanners
- Small airstrip used for emergency and service flights
Tourism and Attractions
Tourists stop in Camooweal to experience remote Outback culture and local history:
- Drover’s Camp Museum – celebrates the history of stockmen and cattle drives
- Camooweal Caves National Park – known for limestone caves and karst formations
- Bush camping, stargazing, and birdwatching in the surrounding countryside
Facilities
Camooweal has:
- A small school
- A clinic (remote health services)
- A roadhouse, fuel station, pub, and post office
- A community centre and police station
Events
The events in Camooweal are:
- Drover’s Camp Festival – held in August, celebrates Outback history, bush poetry, and the droving life
References
- ↑ "Camooweal – town in City of Mount Isa (entry 5880)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ↑ "Camooweal – locality in City of Mount Isa (entry 42312)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 December 2020.