Boulia, Queensland

Boulia is in the Central West Queensland and is located approximately by road south of Mount Isa. Boulia is at the crossroads of a number of outback routes, including the Boulia Mount Isa Road (which goes north-west towards Mount Isa), the Selwyn Road (which goes north-east to Selwyn), the Winton Road, which goes east toward Winton), and the Boulia Bedourie Road (which goes south-west to Bedourie). Boulia is in the Channel Country. All watercourses in this area are part of the Lake Eyre drainage basin, and most will dry up before their water reaches Lake Eyre. Boulia lies on the Burke River, Although it is contrary to the locality boundary principles of the Queensland Government, the locality of Boulia is an "island" entirely surrounded by the locality of Wills. The town has a grid layout with 6 roads running east–west and 5 running north–south. Herbert Street is the main street where most of the civic and commercial premises are located. == History ==

The town was named by surveyor Frederick Arthur Hartnell in 1882 and was derived from the name of the waterhole near the township called "bool-yo" in the Pitta Pitta language. Boulia Provisional School opened on 7 October 1889. It became Boulia State School on 1 January 1909. In December 1937, the school building of the closed state school in Selwyn was relocated to be used as a school building in Boulia. The Good Shepherd Catholic Church was built in 1955. In 2019, the Boulia Outback Chapel was established in the former Anglican church building. It is part of the Baptist Church. In 2019, the Boulia Outback Chapel was established in the former Anglican church building. It is part of the Baptist Church. == Demographics ==

In the , the town of Boulia had a population of 205 people. In the , the locality of Boulia had a population of 230 people. In the , the locality of Boulia had a population of 301 people. In the , the locality of Boulia had a population of 314 people. == Climate ==

Boulia experiences a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh), with very hot, occasionally rainy summers, and very mild, dry winters with cool nights and rare frosts. Average maxima vary from in July to in December. Average annual rainfall is very low: , occurring within 24.1 rainfall days. Rainfall is extraordinarily erratic, as while only fell in 1905; was recorded in January 1974 alone. The town is very sunny, averaging 186.4 clear days and only 43.6 cloudy days annually. Extreme temperatures have ranged from on 31 August 1906 to on 7 February 1915.{{cite web == Events ==

The town hosts the Boulia Camel Races, the longest camel race (running a 1500m cup final) on the Australian camel racing circuit. Each year at Easter, the Boulia Racecourse reserve plays host to a rodeo, campdrafting, and horse racing event which is a social highlight for the district. During August drag races are held at the Boulia Airport which attracts an enthusiastic crowd. == Facilities ==

Boulia has a range of public facilities open to the community. These include a public library, public hall, sports complex, racecourse, the Min Min encounter tourist centre, museum, visitor information centre, and camel races. The Boulia Shire Council operates a public library at 18 Burke Street. An 18-hole golf course with sand greens is located on the Boulia Winton Road. Greens fees are not charged for the use of this course and a clubhouse with bar facilities is available. Boulia has Australia's first three-dimensional zebra crossing which is based on an optical illusion. It is to improve road safety and also to be a tourist attraction. It was introduced in 2018 after Boulia Shire Council mayor Rick Britton saw similar crossings in Iceland, Malaysia, India, New Zealand and the United States on social media. The Boulia branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 61 Moonah Street. Boulia Outback Chapel is at 49 Moonah Street (). == Education ==

Boulia State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at Templeton Street (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 27 students with 4 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent). There are no secondary schools in Boulia. Other boarding schools or distance education would be options for secondary schooling. == Mars ==

The name Boulia is used as a name for a crater on the planet Mars, specifically commemorating the town. == Heritage listings ==

Boulia has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: • Boulia Stone House, Pituri Street == See also ==