Boulia is currently a 3 star accredited Queensland Tidy Town.

Tell us what you think by voting in the poll – you can give a 1 to 5 star rating!

History and Geography Facts

Boulia is known as the Capital of the Channel Country and home to the infamous Min Min Light. With a small population of about 300 people, the Shire spans a large 63,000 sq Kms in outback Central West Queensland.

Located approximately 296 kilometres (184 mi) by road south of Mount Isa and is on the Outback Way billed as Australia’s Longest Shortcut; a 2800 kilometre gravel and bitumen road which runs between Laverton in Western Australia and Winton, Queensland. Boulia lies on the Burke River, named after the explorer Robert O’Hara Burke who passed through the area with the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860.

The area is best known for sightings of the Min Min lights, mysterious shimmering lights that appear at night. The lights are said to be caused by atmospheric refraction that occurs when cold air is trapped below warmer air.

Extensive grazing of beef cattle is the predominant industry around the Boulia Shire.

Local Government Information

Boulia Shire welcomes all travellers to it’s 61000 sq klms of rugged landscape, open Mitchell grass downs and channel country which is noted for being one of the best Australian natural wool/beef producing country. The local Council, community members and land managers work hard and in partnership to keep it weed and pest free, so the people in generations to come can see it in its most natural condition. The Shire boundaries are the Northern Territory to the west, Diamantina Shire to the south and Winton Shire to the east, Mount Isa and Cloncurry Shire’s to the north.

Boulia has some exciting attractions, the Min Min Encounter and Stonehouse Museum and the Marine Reptile Fossil display. The Min Min Encounter is a 45 minute animatronic display showcasing the history and mystery of the Min Min Light.

The Stonehouse Museum is a heritage listed cottage, built in 1888. In the grounds of the museum there are many other displays taking you back in time throughout Boulia’s rich pastoral and indigenous history.

The Marine Reptile Fossil display explores the marine life that existed in the inland sea over 100million years ago.

Boulia has 3 accommodation options; the Australian Hotel Motel, The Desert Sands Motel and the Boulia Caravan Park which offers cabins and  camping.

Feeling hungry? Boulia has 4 options for meals. The Australian Hotel restaurant & Maxie’s Cafe offer cafe style options, coffee, pub meals and pizzas throughout the whole day. The Burke River Roadhouse offers burgers and deep fried meals and are open all day. The Camels Rest Coffee shop which is located inside the Min Min Store, offers coffees and light meals.

Boulia came about on the 31st of July 1879 when a proclamation signed by C. Kennedy was gazetted on the 2nd August 1879 was set aside an area of 1,280 acres as a reserve for township purposes. On the Boulia water hole under the name of Boulia, the reserve was resumed from the Bulla Bulla No. 2 and Bulla Bulla No. 4 holdings, which at the time were held to W.T Reid and W. Patterson. The first land sale was set down for 13 February 1883 – the name Boulia is said to be derived from the water hole in the Burke River, named by the Pitta Pitta tribe – another source gives the name of the water hole in the Hamilton River on the Boulia-Winton Road, approximately 35 miles from Boulia could have some connection with the name Bulzoo Bulzoo or Boolya.