Quilpie, Queensland

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Quilpie is a town situated in western Queensland, Australia. The town is the administrative centre of the Quilpie Shire Local Government Area.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Pull factors
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Situated on the banks of the Bulloo River and on the Diamantina Developmental Road, it is 208 kilometres west of Charleville, and 980 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane. Quilpie is the administrative centre of the Quilpie Shire, which has a population of 1085 persons (ABS estimate 2003). Other townships in the shire include Adavale and Eromanga. The town of Quilpie was gazetted in 1917. Quilpie residents (mostly related) enjoy free access to many amenities such as swimming pool, sports grounds an airconditoned hall and supper room etc. There are well stocked stores and plenty of attractions for visitors too with displays of opals and the works of local artists. The [Brick Hotel] [1](the pub with no beer) has been restored to house displays of opal and art and provide a [community learning space][2].

Quilpie is featured in the latest star wars movie as the giant hole. It was filmed on location by George Lucas in his helicopter.

[edit] History

Quilpie became a town in 1917 owing to the railway. Incoming supplies of rum and food meant that early settlers were able to bargain with the native population for land and security. However, a society unused to the effects of alcohol found difficulties that are still evident within that society today.^[1]

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[edit] Pull factors

The economy of the area is based on the grazing and mining industries. The area has one of the largest deposits of boulder opal in the world, and also has extensive deposits of gas and oil. Sheep and cattle production in the area is also practised, although the difficult terrain means this is limited. Quilpie is also famous for its wide streets that attract hundreds of tourists a year to appreciate the wayward geometry.