McKinlay, Queensland

McKinlay
Queensland

The Landsborough Highway through McKinlay in 1962.
McKinlay
Coordinates 21°16′18″S 141°17′22″E / 21.27167°S 141.28944°E / -21.27167; 141.28944Coordinates: 21°16′18″S 141°17′22″E / 21.27167°S 141.28944°E / -21.27167; 141.28944
Population 417 (2011 census)[1]
Established 1888
Postcode(s) 4823
Location
LGA(s) McKinlay Shire
State electorate(s) Mount Isa
Federal Division(s) Kennedy

McKinlay is a town in the remote north west of the Australian state of Queensland. The town is in the McKinlay Shire local government area and on the Landsborough Highway 1,595 kilometres (991 mi) north west of the state capital Brisbane and 228 kilometres (142 mi) south east of the regional centre of Mount Isa. At the 2011 census, McKinlay and the surrounding pastoral area had a population of 417.[1]

History

McKinlay is named for the nearby McKinlay River—itself named for its European discoverer, the Scottish explorer John McKinlay who passed by the area in 1861.[2] Gold was discovered in the area in 1872 and a letter receiving office was opened in 1883. The town was surveyed and allotments sold in 1888. The offices of the Shire of McKinlay were located in the town until 1930 when they were relocated to Julia Creek.[3] Mackinlay Post Office opened on 1 April 1894 and was renamed McKinlay in 1909.[4]

Today

McKinlay today is described as "nothing more a roadhouse, a few houses and a pub."[2] The town is best known for the Walkabout Creek Hotel, featured in the movie Crocodile Dundee.[2] BHP Cannington mine, Australia's largest silver and lead mine, is 85 kilometres (53 mi) west of McKinlay.[3] The McKinlay pub has become a major tourism draw for the town and when put up for sale in 2010 attracted worldwide interest. [5]

Facilities

McKinlay has Australia's smallest public library, park and a small museum

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "McKinlay (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "McKinlay". The Age. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 "McKinlay History". Shire of McKinlay. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  4. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  5. ↑ Crocodile Dundee Pub up for sale, Australian Geographic, 21 October 2010

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