Kuridala
QLD 4824 • Queensland
About Kuridala
Kuridala is a remote rural locality in the Shire of Cloncurry in outback Queensland, situated approximately 74 kilometres south-south-west of Cloncurry and 155 kilometres south-east of Mount Isa. Covering nearly 5,860 square kilometres of vast outback pastoral country, the locality takes its name from the former copper mining town of Kuridala (originally called Gulatten, then Hampden, then Friezland, before being renamed Kuridala in 1916). The name is reportedly of Aboriginal origin meaning 'eagle hawk'. With a 2021 census population of just 38 people, Kuridala remains one of Queensland's most sparsely populated localities.
The locality encompasses the small service town of Malbon, served by Malbon railway station on the Mount Isa railway line, as well as the abandoned ruins of Ballara and the ghost town of Kuridala — remnants of a once-flourishing copper mining era in the early 20th century. The land is predominantly used for cattle grazing on native vegetation, in keeping with the broader outback Queensland pastoral tradition. Life here is defined by the vast distances, extreme heat, and the resilient spirit of remote Queensland — attracting pastoralists, heritage enthusiasts interested in the region's mining history, and outback travellers exploring the journey between Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
Kuridala falls under postcode 4824 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Traeger electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Commute to Mount Isa
🛣️ Car essential; nearest significant town is Cloncurry (~74 km north); Barkly Highway accessible from Cloncurry
Remote outback locality; no urban infrastructure; vehicle essential for all travel
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Daintree Street
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Sheaffe Street