Charleville Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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The Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre at Charleville | |||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 26°24′06″S146°14′18″E / 26.4016°S 146.2383°E | ||||||||||||||
Population | 2,992 (2021 census) [1] | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 4.8769/km2 (12.6312/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Established | 1865 | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4470 | ||||||||||||||
Elevation | 293.5 m (963 ft) | ||||||||||||||
Area | 613.5 km2 (236.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
Location |
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LGA(s) | Shire of Murweh | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Warrego | ||||||||||||||
Federal division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Charleville ( /ˈtʃɑːrlvɪl/ ) is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. [2] [3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Charleville had a population of 2,992 people. [1]
Located in southwestern Queensland, Australia, Charleville is 747 kilometres (464 mi) west of Brisbane (the Queensland capital), 616 kilometres (383 miles) west of Toowoomba, 535 kilometres (332 miles) west of Dalby, 393 kilometres (244 miles) west of Miles and 254 kilometres (158 miles) west of Roma. It is the largest town and administrative centre of the Shire of Murweh, which covers an area of 43,905 square kilometres. Charleville is situated on the banks of the Warrego River.
Charleville is the terminus for the Warrego Highway which stretches 747 kilometres (464 miles) from Brisbane.
The Mitchell Highway also connects Charleville with:
Bidjara (also known as Bidyara, Pitjara, and Peechara) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Bidjara people. The Bidjara language region includes the local government areas of the Shire of Murweh, particularly the towns of Charleville, Augathella and Blackall as well as the properties of Nive Downs and Mount Tabor. [4]
Gungabula (also known as Kongabula and Khungabula) is an Australian Aboriginal language of the headwaters of the Dawson River in Central Queensland. The language region includes areas within the local government area of Maranoa Region, particularly the towns of Charleville, Augathella and Blackall and as well as the Carnarvon Range. [5]
The first European exploration of the area, which was Kunja tribal land, was conducted by Edmund Kennedy in 1847. [6]
Gowrie Station had been established around the Gowrie Crossing, a ford across the Warrego River ( 26°24′16″S146°13′38″E / 26.4045°S 146.2273°E ) along a natural stock route, for the grazing of sheep and cattle. [7] [8]
The town was gazetted on 11 January 1865. [9] It was situated near Gowrie's Crossing, a permanent waterhole, now on the outskirts of the modern town. It was planned with very wide streets to enable bullock teams of up to 14 pairs to turn with their wagons. [10] It was William Alcock Tully, who was Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Warrego District from 1863 to 1864 and would later serve as Surveyor General of Queensland from 1875 to 1889, who laid out the town's streets. An Irishman, Tully probably named the town after the town of Charleville, County Cork, Ireland. [2] [11]
A hotel was built in 1865. Charleville Post Office opened on 1 August 1865 [12] and a town began to grow to service the region. Members of the Roma-based Skinner family established a store in the town in 1872 that became known as the Warrego Stores [13] and Edward and Margot Kelly ran the Charleville Hotel together from 1928. [14]
In September 1875, the Queensland Government called for tenders to erect a courthouse in Charleville. [15] The foundation stone (actually a bloodwood block) was laid on 23 November 1875. [16] By January 1876, the courthouse was almost finished. [17]
In December 1884, the Queensland Government called for tenders to erect a hospital in Charleville. [18] In March 1885 the contract was awarded to Richards and King for £2,265 10s. [19] In November 1885, a hospital ball was held in the new hospital building, suggesting it was completed and opened around that time. [20]
Cobb and Co, the legendary Australian stagecoach company, established a coach building business in the town in 1886. however, the railway arrived in 1888, beginning the long demise of coach transport in the area. Charleville railway station opened on 1 March 1888 and was the terminus for the Western railway line until the line was extended south to Cunnamulla in 1898. Facilities included a locomotive depot, cattle and sheep yards, a 50-ton weighbridge, a booking and telegraph offices, goods shed, stationmaster's house, and guards, enginemen and firemen's cottages. [21] Apart from the railway station in Charleville, there were also two now-abandoned railway sidings:
Charleville railway station is a railway station used by Queensland Rail and passenger stop for Greyhound Australia. [22]
In July 1886 the Anglican residents of the town decided to erect a church. [23] All Saint's Anglican Church was opened on by Rev. B. R. Wilson on 20 November 1887. It was designed by diocesan architect John Hingestone Buckeridge and built by Mr Wood. [24] It was dedicated in 1897. The foundation stone for the present church was laid in September 1957 by Archbishop Reginald Halse. [25] The new church was dedicated in 1958 and consecrated in 1967. [26]
In 1902 Charleville was the location of an unsuccessful attempt by Clement Lindley Wragge to fire cannons into the clouds in order to break a drought. The cannons used remain on display in Charleville today. [27]
St Mary's Catholic Primary School was opened on 26 January 1913 by the Sisters of Mercy. [28] [29] The school suffered extensive damage during the April 1990 flood which devastated Charleville. [30]
In 1922, Qantas established an airmail service between Charleville and Cloncurry. At the same time, this was Qantas's first regularly scheduled route and the second scheduled air route in Australia.
On 9 October 1924, the Charleville War Memorial was unveiled by Sir Matthew Nathan, the Governor of Queensland. [31]
The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Angels Hostels was consecrated circa 1929. It closed circa 1984. [32]
Charleville was also one of the compulsory stopover/check points during the London to Melbourne MacRobertson Air Race in 1934. The winners of the great race were Tom Campbell Black and C. W. A. Scott. Their triumph was reported in Time magazine as:
"Scott and Black, keeping up their sensational pace, flashed into Charleville, refueled, sped toward the finish where waiting thousands cheered their progress, reported over loudspeakers. With one motor dead, with only two hours sleep since leaving England, the Britons triumphantly set their scarlet torpedo down in Melbourne at 3:34 p.m. In 71 hr. 1 min. 3 sec. – Just under three days – they had flown halfway around the world." [33]
Proximity to the Warrego River has been problematic. Charleville was hit by flooding in 1971 caused by a rain depression that was formed from the remnants of Cyclone Althea.[ citation needed ] In April 1990, major floods hit western Queensland, with Charleville being badly affected. Floodwaters peaked at 8.54 metres, over 1,000 homes were inundated, and almost 3,000 people evacuated. More recently, the district suffered flooding again in 1997, 2008 and March 2010. [34] [35] Flooding also occurred in February 2012. [36]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Charleville had a population of 3,335 people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 15.3% of the population. 83.6% of people were born in Australia. The next most common country of birth was Vietnam at 3.3%. 87.6% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Vietnamese at 3.5%. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 34.1%, Anglican 24.1% and No Religion 17.2%. [37]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Charleville had a population of 2,992 people. [1]
Charleville has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
as well as a number in nearby localities:
Charleville State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at Wills Street ( 26°24′17″S146°14′32″E / 26.4048°S 146.2423°E ). [44] [45] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 205 students with 20 teachers (19 full-time equivalent) and 22 non-teaching staff (16 full-time equivalent). [46] It includes a special education program (certified through the National Disability Insurance Scheme). [44]
St Mary's School is a Catholic primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 66 Watson Street ( 26°24′13″S146°14′35″E / 26.4036°S 146.2431°E ). [44] [47] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 117 students with 9 teachers (8 full-time equivalent) and 9 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent). [46] It includes a special education program (certified through the National Disability Insurance Scheme). [44]
Charleville State School and St Mary's School both suffered extensive damage during the April 1990 floods which devastated Charleville.
Charleville State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls on the corner of Partridge & Hunter Streets ( 26°23′51″S146°15′27″E / 26.3974°S 146.2574°E ). [44] [48] It was established in 1961, replacing the Secondary Department at Charleville State School. In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 246 students (including students from Augathella, Morven and Wyandra) with 36 teachers (34 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (16 full-time equivalent). [46] It includes a special education program (certified through the National Disability Insurance Scheme). [44]
Charleville School of Distance Education is a government primary and secondary (Early Childhood to Year 10) school for boys and girls at Parry Street ( 26°23′42″S146°15′31″E / 26.3950°S 146.2586°E ). [44] [49] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 200 students with 25 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 12 non-teaching staff (10 full-time equivalent). [46] It is a School of the Air, providing distance education by a combination of postal services, telephone and Internet to children who are unable to attend a regular school due to their remote location. It includes a special education program (certified through the National Disability Insurance Scheme). [44]
Charleville has a range of facilities for the community including a swimming pool, bowling green, speedway, racing course, and the Gowrie sporting oval. [50]
There is a public library on Alfred Street run by the Murweh Shire Council with a high-speed ISDN Internet connection to Brisbane (powered through the National Broadband Network). [51]
The Charleville branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 145 Alfred Street. [52]
The Charleville Golf Course has eighteen sand greens and a licensed clubhouse in May Street. [53] [54]
The Charleville Bowls Club has two rinks and a licensed clubhouse in Epacris Street.
All Saints Anglican Church is at 41 Alfred Street ( 26°24′09″S146°14′15″E / 26.4026°S 146.2374°E ). [26]
Lutheran church services are held at Bluecare Community Centre at 145 Alfred Street ( 26°23′55″S146°14′37″E / 26.3986°S 146.2436°E ). [55]
North of the town is VMC, a marine weather transmitter operated by the Bureau of Meteorology. [56]
The local newspaper is the Western Times. Along with many other regional Australian newspapers owned by NewsCorp, the newspaper ceased print editions in June 2020 and became an online-only publication from 26 June 2020. [57]
Charleville is home to the following radio stations:[ citation needed ]
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation transmits ABQ and its sister channels, ABC Kids, ABC TV Plus, ABC Me and ABC NEWS to Charleville through its relay station, ABCEQ, situated at 26°24′59″S 146°21′20″E. As part of its regional and rural coverage expansion, the ABC opened a news bureau in Charleville in 2022. [58] It was officially opened on 10 March 2022 by the ABC's managing director David Anderson and then - Federal Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and current Federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud. [59]
The Seven Network and its sister channels 7two and 7mate transmit to Charleville through its regional area affiliate, ITQ.[ citation needed ]
Network Ten and its sister channels 10 Bold and 10 Peach transmit to Charleville through its regional area affiliate, CDT [ citation needed ]
The Nine Network and its sister channels 9Gem and 9Go! transmit to Charleville through its regional area affiliate, Imparja Television.[ citation needed ]
The Special Broadcasting Service and its sister channels SBS Viceland, SBS World Movies and SBS Food also transmit to Charleville.[ citation needed ]
Tourist attractions include:
Charleville Airport is on Qantas Drive ( 26°24′57″S146°15′44″E / 26.4159°S 146.2621°E ) approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-west of the town centre. [65] [66] It has two runways, both sealed. One is 1,524 by 30 metres (5,000 ft × 98 ft) and is lit, while the other is 1,067 by 23 metres (3,501 ft × 75 ft) and is unlit. [67]
The Westlander rail passenger service links the Charleville railway station ( 26°24′23″S146°14′39″E / 26.4064°S 146.2441°E ) to Brisbane. It first started running in August 1954, replacing the Western Mail. Charleville would have been the southern end of the Transcontinental railway proposed in the 1880s, connecting to Point Parker on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Prior to 1994, TheWestlander was divided at Charleville, the service to Quilpie (3Q02) being nicknamed the Flying Flea and consisted of two passenger carriages, a guards van and power van. The remainder of the train (3V02) headed to Cunnamulla via Westgate and Wyandra. In August 1994, passenger services beyond Charleville were discontinued.
Prior to 10 December 2021, Charleville was serviced by Bus Queensland who operated daily coach services to and from Brisbane via Toowoomba, Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles, Roma, Mitchell and Morven and vice versa. Charleville was also a scheduled stop for Bus Queensland's daily services from Brisbane to Mount Isa and vice versa.
Since 11 December 2021 Charleville has been serviced by Greyhound Australia who operate the following services which it regained from Bus Queensland under a contract from the Queensland Government:
Service | Destination and Intermediate Stops |
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Gx493 | Brisbane to Mount Isa via Toowoomba, Miles, Roma, Charleville, Augathella, Blackall, Longreach, Winton and Cloncurry |
Gx494 | Mount Isa to Brisbane via Cloncurry, Winton, Longreach, Blackall, Augathella, Charleville, Roma, Miles and Toowoomba |
Gx495 | Brisbane to Charleville via Toowoomba, Oakey, Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles, Roma, Mitchell and Morven |
Gx496 | Charleville to Brisbane via Morven, Mitchell, Roma, Miles, Chinchilla, Dalby, Oakey and Toowoomba |
Preceding station | ![]() | Following station | ||
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Morven towards Brisbane | The Westlander | Terminus |
Charleville experiences a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh); with hot summers with variable rainfall & humidity; as well as having mild, dry winters with occasional frost and high high diurnal ranges. Average maxima range from 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in January to 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) in July. Annual precipitation is rather low: averaging 487.3 mm (19.19 in), and peaks in summer due to more abundant showers and thunderstorms. [68] Severe flooding events can occur due to tropical cyclones remnants and monsoon troughs; evident by the 399.7 mm (15.74 in) falling in February 1896: the highest monthly total recorded. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 47.0 °C (116.6 °F) on the 27th of January 1947 to −5.2 °C (22.6 °F) on the 21st of July 1951. [69]
Climate data for Charleville (26º24'36"S, 146º15'36"E, 302 m AMSL) (1942-2024 normals, extremes 1889-2024) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 47.0 (116.6) | 45.2 (113.4) | 43.9 (111.0) | 38.8 (101.8) | 33.3 (91.9) | 31.0 (87.8) | 30.7 (87.3) | 35.8 (96.4) | 40.7 (105.3) | 43.2 (109.8) | 45.0 (113.0) | 46.0 (114.8) | 47.0 (116.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 35.2 (95.4) | 34.0 (93.2) | 32.2 (90.0) | 28.3 (82.9) | 23.4 (74.1) | 20.0 (68.0) | 19.7 (67.5) | 22.1 (71.8) | 26.3 (79.3) | 30.0 (86.0) | 32.9 (91.2) | 34.9 (94.8) | 28.2 (82.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22.0 (71.6) | 21.4 (70.5) | 18.9 (66.0) | 13.9 (57.0) | 9.0 (48.2) | 5.6 (42.1) | 4.4 (39.9) | 5.9 (42.6) | 10.0 (50.0) | 14.6 (58.3) | 18.0 (64.4) | 20.5 (68.9) | 13.7 (56.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | 10.6 (51.1) | 9.4 (48.9) | 5.0 (41.0) | 0.8 (33.4) | −3.6 (25.5) | −5.0 (23.0) | −5.2 (22.6) | −4.9 (23.2) | −1.7 (28.9) | 0.9 (33.6) | 4.4 (39.9) | 6.7 (44.1) | −5.2 (22.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 74.7 (2.94) | 66.5 (2.62) | 59.8 (2.35) | 28.5 (1.12) | 29.8 (1.17) | 24.6 (0.97) | 24.3 (0.96) | 19.5 (0.77) | 24.4 (0.96) | 35.6 (1.40) | 44.7 (1.76) | 55.5 (2.19) | 487.3 (19.19) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 5.6 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 43.6 |
Average afternoon relative humidity (%) | 30 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 36 | 39 | 35 | 29 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 30 |
Average dew point °C (°F) | 11.1 (52.0) | 12.8 (55.0) | 10.1 (50.2) | 7.6 (45.7) | 5.7 (42.3) | 4.1 (39.4) | 2.0 (35.6) | 0.9 (33.6) | 1.2 (34.2) | 3.4 (38.1) | 5.3 (41.5) | 7.7 (45.9) | 6.0 (42.8) |
Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1942-2024 normals, extremes 1889-2024) [70] [71] |
Blackall is a rural town and locality in the Blackall-Tambo Region, Queensland, Australia. The town is the service centre for the Blackall-Tambo Region. The dominant industry in the area is grazing with over 70 homesteads in the locality. In the 2021 census, the locality of Blackall had a population of 1,365 people.
Cunnamulla is a town and a locality in the Shire of Paroo, Queensland, Australia. It is 206 kilometres (128 mi) south of Charleville, and approximately 750 kilometres (470 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane. In the 2021 census, the locality of Cunnamulla had a population of 1,233 people.
Quilpie is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Quilpie, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Quilpie had a population of 530 people.
Augathella is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Augathella had a population of 328 people.
The Warrego River is an intermittent river that is part of the Darling catchment within the Murray–Darling basin, which is located in South West Queensland and in the Orana region of New South Wales, Australia. The Warrego River is the northernmost tributary of the Darling River.
Tambo is a rural town and locality in the Blackall-Tambo Region, Queensland, Australia. Cattle and tourism are the major industries of the town. A number of heritage buildings survive from the earliest days of settlement. In the 2021 census, the population of the locality was 318 people, while the population of the town was 283 people.
Mitchell is a rural town and locality in the Maranoa Region, Queensland, Australia. The town services the local area, a cattle and sheep farming district. In the 2021 census, the locality of Mitchell had a population of 995 people.
Morven is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Morven had a population of 184 people.
Chelmer is a south-western suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Chelmer had a population of 3,325 people.
Wyandra is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Paroo, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Wyandra had a population of 78 people.
The Shire of Murweh is a local government area in the Maranoa district, which is part of South West Queensland, Australia. The administrative centre and largest town in the shire is Charleville.
Yuleba is a rural town and locality in the Maranoa Region, in the south-west of Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Yuleba had a population of 271 people.
South West Queensland is a remote region in the Australian state of Queensland which covers 319,808 km2 (123,479 sq mi). The region lies to the south of Central West Queensland and west of the Darling Downs and includes the Maranoa district and parts of the Channel Country. The area is noted for its cattle grazing, cotton farming, opal mining and oil and gas deposits.
Mungallala is a rural town and locality in the Maranoa Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Mungallala had a population of 85 people.
The Town of Charleville is a former local government area in the Maranoa area of Queensland, Australia. It existed from 1894 to 1960.
Sommariva is a locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. It is situated 37.9 kilometres (23.5 mi) east of Charleville and 57.4 kilometres (35.7 mi) west of Morven on the Warrego Highway. In the 2021 census, Sommariva had a population of 25 people.
Bakers Bend is a rural locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Bakers Bend had a population of 7 people.
Cooladdi is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. The town is 88.9 kilometres (55.2 mi) south-west of Charleville.
Ward is a rural locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Ward had a population of 87 people.
Murweh is a rural locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Murweh had a population of 9 people.
This Wikipedia article incorporates text from HOTEL CORONES, CHARLEVILLE (22 November 2019) published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 15 January 2020.
Media related to Charleville, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons