The Shire covers an area of 73,600 square kilometers, making it the third-largest Shire in Queensland. The Bulloo Shire is located in the far south west corner of Outback Queensland, and covers an area of 73,600 square kilometres (4.26%), making it the third largest Shire in the State. Lake Bindegolly National Park, and a large proportion of Currawinya National Park, together with its Ranger Headq
uarters, are located within the Shire. A diversity of industries, including beef, wool, opal, bee-keeping, tourism, service, oil and gas, all contribute to create the vibrant economy of the region. Thargomindah, with a population of approximately two hundred and thirteen (213) people, is situated on the Bulloo River, 1000 kilometres due west from Brisbane along the Adventure Way. It is the Shire’s major town, and serves as the administration centre for the Bulloo Shire Council. The Council is the largest single employer in the region and operates from a very modern and well-appointed Administration Centre and Council Depot. The Council also operates/administers the Thargomindah Visitor Information Centre, Library, Kullilli Room, Swimming Pool, Community Centre, Sports Oval, Rodeo Grounds, Cemetery, Bore and Cooling Ponds, Water and Sewerage, Golf Course and Club House, Council Yards, and the Town Common. Council is also a member of the Advisory Board which has been established to oversee the management of the Burke & Wills Dig Tree site, located at Nappa Merrie Station. Thargomindah is serviced by the Royal Flying Doctor Service on a weekly basis, and a commercial passenger air service twice weekly. The town is the service centre for the whole region and boasts excellent education, health, law and order, and community facilities, as well as tourist accommodation facilities and services. The township of Hungerford, which has a population of eleven (11), is located 164 kilometres south of Thargomindah along the Dowling Track, and lies near the Paroo River on the Queensland/New South Wales Border. The town has a Police Station, Post Office facility, Hotel, accommodation, meals and fuel. Council operates a small Depot and Caravan Park, and administers a modern Medical Facility, Community Hall, Tennis Courts, Rodeo Ground, and a sealed Airstrip. The Currawinya National Park, with its Ranger Station, lies adjacent to Hungerford, and is renowned as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The tiny town of Noccundra with a population of four (4) is situated adjacent to the Noccundra Waterhole on the Wilson River, 122 kilometres west of Thargomindah. The Waterhole and Hotel are both a popular stop-over for tourists on their way to visit the iconic Dig Tree or Innamincka. Although small, the town has an unsealed airstrip, Hotel, accommodation, meals, fuel, with camping grounds, Community Hall, Tennis Courts, Public Toilet facilities and Rodeo Ground, which are administered by the Council. Cameron Corner is where the States of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia meet. It is situated 402 kilometres from Thargomindah and has a population of four (4). The Cameron Corner Store offers accommodation, meals, groceries, fuel, and camping. The Bulloo Shire has a long and colourful history of explorers and pastoralists, from the ill fated Burke and Wills Expedition through to current expeditions searching for oil and gas reserves. It covers vast distances, and offers landscapes of immense diversity and beauty; expansive river and lake systems; sites of historical significance; abundant bird and wildlife; and is subject to extreme seasonal weather conditions. Each town in the region has its own mix of community, sport and recreation facilities with swimming, tennis, squash, fresh water fishing, bird watching, camping, golf, opal fossicking, and other popular activities on offer. Although faced with the daily challenges of living in a remote and arid region of Outback Queensland, the Shire’s communities and residents are nevertheless very resilient, resourceful, and hospitable.
