Barcaldine
Population
1,718 (2006 census).Location
1,100km north/west of Brisbane. 107km east of Longreach. 285km south/east of Winton.
Photo:Courtesy of Tourism Queensland
General Information
Barcaldine, lying at the junction of the Landsborough an Capricorn Highways, is the administrative centre of the Barcaldine shire, which covers an area of 8,430 Square Kilometers. Major industries are wool and cattle. The town takes its name form a sheep station called Barcaldine Downds, which was named in turn for Barcaldine, Scotland.
Climate
Barcaldine has a hot summer with temperatures reaching 40 degress Celsius. Winters are mild, but temperatures can drop to 0 degrees Celsius. Nearly all rainfall occurs during summer. The average is 500mm, but is extremely variable and the region is subject to periodic droughts.
Points of interest
Barcaldine is the centre of the Shearer's Strike in 1891. About 1,500 shearers, striking against the use of non-union labour in shearing sheds, formed camps on the outskirts of town. The dispute resulted in the formation of the Australian Labour Party. At the same time,the Grazier's Association of Central and Northern Queensland was formed, which later became the modern National Party.
Useful Links
Barcaldine Shire CouncilBarcaldine Wiki Entry
Barcaldine Hospital
Barcaldine Queensland Holidays
