🔍

Blackall

QLD 4472 • Rest of QLD

1,365
Population (2021)
$35,672
Median Income
16552.14 km²
Area
$157/wk
Median Rent
RuralOutbackHistoricRemoteAgricultural

About Blackall

Blackall is a small outback town in south-western Queensland, located approximately 960 kilometres west of Brisbane on the Mitchell grass plains within the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council area. Situated at an elevation of 305 metres near the Barcoo River, the town serves as a regional service centre for the vast surrounding sheep and cattle stations. With a population of 1,365 and a median age of 49, Blackall is a predominantly older, Australian-born community with deep pastoral roots and a median household income of $1,143 per week.

Blackall carries significant outback heritage — it is home to the only surviving hydraulic wool scour in the world, now a National Heritage-listed museum, and is closely associated with the legendary Black Stump, a surveying marker that gave rise to the famous Australian phrase. The town provides essential services including a hospital, primary and secondary schools, a supermarket, and local hotels. There is no passenger rail service to Blackall; the Landsborough Highway provides the main road link to Longreach to the north and Charleville to the south-east. A car is essential for life in this remote outback community.

Blackall falls under postcode 4472 and is governed by Blackall-Tambo Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gregory electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4472
Urban Area
Blackall - Tambo
LGA / Council
Blackall-Tambo
Federal Electorate
Maranoa
State Electorate
Gregory
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-24.66°, 145.52°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
16552.14 km²
Elevation
305m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound / limited regional coaches — Longreach / Charleville 2.5–3.5 hours

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
960 km
By Train
No direct rail service; nearest passenger rail at Charleville or Longreach
By Car (Peak)
10–11 hours via Warrego and Landsborough Highways
By Car (Off-Peak)
9.5–10.5 hours

🛣️ Remote outback town; Blackall Airport serves RFDS and limited charter flights; self-contained regional community

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is accessible on foot from most areas, but a car is essential for travel beyond town and for accessing regional services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$157
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.8%

12 state housing + 20 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,416
Census 2021
1,365
▼ 3.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$26,416
Income 2021
$35,672
▲ 35.0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,173
Born Overseas 70

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 24
  • 2. Philippines 10
  • 3. England 9
  • 4. Germany 4
  • 5. India 4
  • 6. Netherlands 4
  • 7. United States 4
  • 8. Fiji 3
  • 9. Scotland 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 625
English 568
Irish 153
Scottish 136
German 119
Australian Aboriginal 51
Italian 16
Dutch 13
New Zealander 12
Filipino 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,087
Both parents born in Australia
84
Both parents born overseas
81
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
68.4%
No Religion
22.8%
Buddhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
65 (4.8%)
5-14 years
142 (10.4%)
15-19 years
47 (3.4%)
20-24 years
71 (5.2%)
25-34 years
139 (10.2%)
35-44 years
135 (9.9%)
45-54 years
152 (11.1%)
55-64 years
224 (16.4%)
65-74 years
205 (15.0%)
75-84 years
124 (9.1%)
85+ years
56 (4.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Blackall known for? +

Blackall is famous for the Blackall Wool Scour — the world's only surviving hydraulic wool scour and a National Heritage-listed site — and its association with the legendary 'Black Stump', a surveying peg that gave rise to the iconic Australian expression meaning a remote location.

How far is Blackall from Brisbane? +

Blackall is approximately 960 kilometres west of Brisbane CBD. The drive takes around 10–11 hours via the Warrego and Landsborough Highways.

Does Blackall have public transport? +

Blackall has no passenger rail service. Limited long-distance coach connections link it to regional centres like Longreach and Charleville. A car is essential for most residents. Blackall Airport provides access via RFDS and limited charter services.

What is the population of Blackall? +

According to the 2021 Census, Blackall has a population of approximately 1,365 residents. The median age of 49 reflects an older demographic typical of many remote Queensland towns.

Is Blackall a good place to live? +

Blackall suits those who value the quiet, community-oriented lifestyle of outback Queensland, with deep pastoral heritage and wide open spaces. Essential services are available locally, but residents must be comfortable with the isolation and car-dependent lifestyle inherent to a remote regional town.

What is the postcode for Blackall? +

The postcode for Blackall is 4472.