🔍

Rolleston

QLD 4702 • Queensland

132
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
140.08 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralMining Town

About Rolleston

Rolleston is a small outback town in Central Queensland, situated on the Comet River along the Dawson Highway, approximately 335 kilometres west of Gladstone. With a population of around 130 residents, this locality sits at the heart of the Bowen Basin — one of the world's most significant coal-producing regions — and owes much of its character and economy to the nearby Rolleston Open Cut coal mine, operated by Glencore. The town serves as a quiet service point for the surrounding pastoral and mining operations.

Life in Rolleston revolves around the mining and agricultural industries, with FIFO workers and multigenerational farming families forming the fabric of the community. The town has a hotel, a primary school, and basic amenities, offering a close-knit bush lifestyle far removed from urban conveniences. Springsure, the nearest larger town, is about 71 kilometres to the north-west. The surrounding Comet River country is popular with campers and fossickers during cooler months.

Rolleston falls under postcode 4702 and is governed by the Central Highlands Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Flynn, while state elections fall under the Rockhampton electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4702
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Highlands
Federal Electorate
Flynn
State Electorate
Rockhampton
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-23.28°, 150.89°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
140.08 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
694 km
By Train
Not applicable — no rail passenger service
By Car (Peak)
~7 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
~7 hours

🛣️ Extremely remote; private vehicle or charter flight only. Gladstone is the nearest regional hub at ~335 km.

Walkability Car Dependent

Small outback town; all services require private vehicle

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Central Highlands Local Government Area, which contains Rolleston. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
841.5 / 100k
2yr Up 79.3% 10yr Up 85.7%
Motor vehicle theft
309.7 / 100k
2yr Up 12.1% 10yr Up 169.2%
Non-FV assault
1,373.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 210.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
6.7 / 100k
2yr Down 51.2% 10yr Up 93.1%
Steal from vehicle
356.8 / 100k
2yr Up 43.6% 10yr Down 39.1%
View all offence categories for Central Highlands →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
132
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rolleston known for? +

Rolleston is best known for its proximity to the Rolleston Open Cut coal mine, operated by Glencore, which is one of the largest thermal coal operations in Australia's Bowen Basin.

How far is Rolleston from Brisbane? +

Rolleston is approximately 694 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, roughly a 7-hour drive via the Dawson and Leichhardt Highways.

Is there public transport in Rolleston? +

There is no regular public transport serving Rolleston. A private vehicle is essential. The nearest larger town is Springsure, approximately 71 km to the north-west.

What schools are in Rolleston? +

Rolleston State School provides primary education for local children. Secondary students typically board in Rockhampton or other regional centres.

Is Rolleston a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Rolleston is part of the Central Highlands LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Rolleston? +

Rolleston had a population of 132 at the 2021 Census.