Blackall
Blackall is a rural town in Central Queensland, Australia. It is located on the Barcoo River and is known for its deep connections to the sheep and wool industry, as well as several unique historical landmarks.
The main industry in the Blackall area is grazing, which means raising livestock like sheep and cattle. There are more than 70 farms there.[1]
| Blackall Queensland | |||||||||
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 Memorial to Sir Thomas Mitchell | |||||||||
  Blackall | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 24°25′28″S 145°27′57″E / 24.4245°S 145.4658°E | ||||||||
| Population | 1,365 (as of 2021) | ||||||||
| Established | 1868 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 284 m (932 ft) | ||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||
| Location |
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History
[change | change source]The town was named after Sir Samuel Blackall, the second Governor of Queensland. European settlement began in the 1860s, and the town officially started in 1868. It quickly became an important hub for sheep grazing. In 1885, Blackall was the first town in the outback to drill a bore for water from the Great Artesian Basin.
Blackall is also famous for a local hero, Jack Howe, a legendary blade shearer who set a world record in 1892 by shearing 321 sheep in one day. This record was not beaten by a machine shearer for another 58 years.
Tourism
[change | change source]Places to go there are:
- The Black Stump: The town is home to the original "Black Stump," a marker that was used for surveying in 1887. The famous Australian saying, "beyond the black stump," which means "in the middle of nowhere" or "in a remote place," comes from this marker.
- Blackall Woolscour: This is the last remaining steam-powered wool washing plant in Australia. It operated from 1908 until 1978 and is now a historical museum.
- Artesian Spa and Pool: The town has a public pool and spa filled with natural artesian water from the Great Artesian Basin, offering a relaxing experience for visitors.
- ↑ "Homesteads – Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.