McKinlay, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McKinlayQueensland |
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The Landsborough Highway through McKinlay in 1962.
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Population | 178 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 0.01866/km2 (0.0483/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Established | 1888 | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4823 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 9,537.9 km2 (3,682.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Location | |||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | McKinlay Shire | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Traeger | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Kennedy | ||||||||||||||
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McKinlay is an outback town and locality in McKinlay Shire, Queensland, Australia. At the 2016 census, McKinlay had a population of 178.
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History
McKinlay is named for the nearby McKinlay River—itself named for its European discoverer, the Scottish explorer John McKinlay who passed by the area in 1861. Gold was discovered in the area in 1872 and a letter receiving office was opened in 1883. The town was surveyed and allotments sold in 1888. The offices of the Shire of McKinlay were located in the town until 1930 when they were relocated to Julia Creek. Mackinlay Post Office opened on 1 April 1894 and was renamed McKinlay in 1909.
Today
McKinlay today is described as "nothing more a roadhouse, a few houses and a pub." The town is best known for the Walkabout Creek Hotel, featured in the movie Crocodile Dundee. BHP Cannington mine, Australia's largest silver and lead mine, is 85 kilometres (53 mi) west of McKinlay. The McKinlay pub has become a major tourism draw for the town and when put up for sale in 2010 attracted worldwide interest.
Facilities
McKinlay has Australia's smallest public library, park and a small museum