Richmond
Population
Town - 700 (approx.) 1996 CensusShire - 1126 (approx.) 1996 Census
Location
1660 km from Brisbane493 km from Townsville
397 km from Mount Isa
General Information
The town of Richmond is approximately half way between Mt Isa and Townsville in the heart of cattle and dinosaur fossil country. Richmond is located on the banks of the Flinders river, Queenslands longest river, and was opened to white settlement in 1862 by the explorer William Landsbrough. The abundant fossil deposits from the shallow inland sea that covered the district 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period have made Richmond a Mecca for palaeontologists. The Kronosaurus Korner Marine Fossil Museum houses over 200 exhibits form the local area including the most complete vertebrate fossils ever found in Australia, the Richmond Pliosaur and Minmi. The beautiful bougainvillea-lined streets make Richmond an oasis in the outback.
Climate
Richmond has a typical western climate with long summers and short winters. Summer extends from September to April. Daily average temperatures range from 26 to 38 degrees C with daily minimum mean average temperatures from 8 to 23 degrees C.
The wet season usually begins in early December until March. Average rainfall is approx. 473mm per annum with approximately 41 days of rain per year.
History
In February 1862 William Landsborough, during his search for the lost explores Burke and Wills, made the first documented comments on the area. Landsbrough stated that fine pastrol land could be found flanking the Flinders river all around the the present day location of the town of Richmond. This, along with his personal glowing accounts, started a rush of settlers. Driving their cattle from the Richmond River district of New South Wales came Bundock and Hayes, who later in 1862 took up a run of 3300 square km's which they named Richmond Downs. It is from this run that the town of Richmond derives its name. The Shire of Richmond, (originally called Wyangarie, Meaning Aboriginal "Hut") was not formed until 31 July 1954.
A gold rush from 1880-1887 in the gold fields of Woolgar, 113 km north of Richmond, played a big part in the development of the area. It was the extension of the rail line through Richmond to Julia Creek on the 1st of June 1904 that ensured the towns growth and survival. In it's "hey day" Richmond could boast 12 hotels. The rail line did, however, spell the death of the Cobb and Co. service route along the Flinders river that had played a big part in the development of the region. A restored Cobb and Co. Coach is now part of the towns tourist attractions.
Richmond's first bore was sunk into The Great Artesian Basin in 1900. The water, lifted out of these bores by windmills or of recent years electric pumps, opened up the district to cattle and sheep. These two industries even today are the heart of the Richmond economy.
Useful Links
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