CLONCURRY

rincan18
Oct 23, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jun 26

Cloncurry is currently a 5-star Queensland Tidy Town.

Cloncurry was awarded Queensland’s Friendliest Town in 2018 & 2013 by Keep Queensland Beautiful. The first ever town to win the award twice.

Tell us what you think of Cloncurry by voting in the poll – you can give a 1-to-5-star rating.

History and Geography Facts

The Aboriginal traditional owners of Cloncurry are the Mitakoodi people (pronounced Mee-tah-koo-dee). In August 2024, the Mitakoodi and Mayi people were formally acknowledged and officially obtained native title determination. The region of Cloncurry is traditionally known as Pimurra and the Mitakoodi people were known as the River people. The first Europeans to traverse these tribal lands of peoples such as the Maithakari and the Wanamara,[citation needed] were Burke and Wills on their epic, and ultimately fatal, transcontinental expedition. The Cloncurry River was named by Burke after Lady Elizabeth Cloncurry, his cousin, with the town eventually taking its name from the river.

Cloncurry is situated in the north-west of Queensland, 770 kilometres (480 mi) west of the city of Townsville via the Flinders Highway. The town lies adjacent to the Cloncurry River.

The Flinders Highway enters from the east and the Barkly Highway exits to the west. The Landsborough Highway enters from the south-east and the Burke Developmental Road exits to the north.

Local Government Information

The area became more populated when several copper & gold mines opened. The Great Australia Mine is just south of the town, Rocklands is 16 km west of the town. The Lorena mine is 14 km east, and Ernest Henry mine opened in 1998 35 km northeast, and Mount Margaret is 10 km east of Ernest Henry. Wallace South is 30 km southeast. Further south is the Mount Elliott mine along with Starra-Selwyn in the Mount Elliott Mining Complex which opened in 1908.

The USD 1.7 billion open-pit Eva Copper Mine Project is being built in the area, powered by an off-grid system with 104 MW thermal power, 118 MWp solar power and a 250 MWh battery.

Attractions and Events

· John Flynn Place Museum: In honor of the extraordinary efforts and achievements of Australia’s early pioneers, the Cloncurry John Flynn Place Museum pays tribute to Reverend John Flynn and his team for their dedication and success in overcoming isolation and bringing communication education, and health to remote Australia.

· Chinaman Dam: Chinaman Creek Dam is perfect for bird lovers. Spot Brolgas, Egrets, Ducks, Cormorants and the Cloncurry Parrot.

· Mary Kathleen Abandon Township: These days you can drive the old streets of the town and even choose a vacant house slab (yep, they’re still there) to camp on for the night for a unique Mary Kathleen camping experience.

· Chinaman Creek Lookout: The Cloncurry Lookout is just a three-minute drive out of town and features a stunning water tank mural, in addition to 360-degree views of Cloncurry and surrounds.

· Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine: Take a wander up the hill to the mine site, but don’t touch the radioactive turquoise water.

· Beat The Heat: The Beat the Heat Festival is an annual celebration which transforms Cloncurry for 3 days and nights. It includes a street party, mine cart rally, curry cook off, live music, spring racing, markets and more.

Accommodation And Dine In

· Gidgee Inn Motel

· Oasis Hotel Motel Cloncurry

· Leichhardt Hotel

· Wagon Wheel Motel

· Red Rock Motel

· Buddy Boy Kitchen Cloncurry

· Grinners Pizza and Pasta

· RedDoor Café

· Quamby Pub

· Country Blends Nutrition