Charleville | |||||||||||||
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 TheRoyal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre at Charleville | |||||||||||||
  Charleville | |||||||||||||
| Coordinates:26°24′06″S146°14′18″E / 26.4016°S 146.2383°E /-26.4016; 146.2383 (Charleville (town centre)) | |||||||||||||
| Country | Australia | ||||||||||||
| State | Queensland | ||||||||||||
| LGA | |||||||||||||
| Location |
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| Established | 1865 | ||||||||||||
| Government | |||||||||||||
| • State electorate | |||||||||||||
| • Federal division | |||||||||||||
| Area | |||||||||||||
• Total | 613.5 km2 (236.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Elevation | 293.5 m (963 ft) | ||||||||||||
| Population | |||||||||||||
| • Total | 2,992 (2021 census)[2] | ||||||||||||
| • Density | 4.8769/km2 (12.6312/sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC+10:00 (AEST) | ||||||||||||
| Postcode | 4470 | ||||||||||||
| Mean max temp | 28.0 °C (82.4 °F) | ||||||||||||
| Mean min temp | 13.9 °C (57.0 °F) | ||||||||||||
| Annual rainfall | 497.4 mm (19.58 in) | ||||||||||||
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Charleville (/ˈtʃɑːrlvɪl/) is a rural town andlocality in theShire of Murweh,Queensland, Australia.[3][4] In the2021 census, the locality of Charleville had a population of 2,992.[2]
Located in southwesternQueensland, Australia, Charleville is the terminus for theWarrego Highway, which stretches 747 kilometres (464 miles) fromBrisbane and is situated:
It is the largest town and administrative centre of the Shire of Murweh, which covers an area of 43,905 square kilometres. Charleville is situated on the banks of theWarrego River.
TheMitchell Highway also connects Charleville with:
Bidjara (also known asBidyara, Pitjara, andPeechara) is anAustralian Aboriginal language spoken by the Bidjara people. The Bidjara language region includes the local government areas of theShire of Murweh, particularly the towns of Charleville,Augathella andBlackall as well as the properties of Nive Downs andMount Tabor.[5]
Gungabula (also known asKongabula andKhungabula) is anAustralian Aboriginal language of the headwaters of theDawson River inCentral Queensland. The language region includes areas within the local government area ofMaranoa Region, particularly the towns of Charleville,Augathella andBlackall and as well as theCarnarvon Range.[6]
The first European exploration of the area, which wasKunja tribal land, was conducted byEdmund Kennedy in 1847.[7]
Gowrie Station had been established around the Gowrie Crossing, a ford across the Warrego River (26°24′16″S146°13′38″E / 26.4045°S 146.2273°E /-26.4045; 146.2273 (Gowrie Crossing)) along a natural stock route, for the grazing of sheep and cattle.[8][9]
The town was gazetted on 11 January 1865.[10] It was situated near Gowrie's Crossing, a permanent waterhole, now on the outskirts of the modern town. It was planned with very wide streets to enable bullock teams of up to 14 pairs to turn with their wagons.[11] It wasWilliam Alcock Tully, who was Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Warrego District from 1863 to 1864 and would later serve asSurveyor General of Queensland from 1875 to 1889, who laid out the town's streets. An Irishman, Tully probably named the town after the town ofCharleville, County Cork, Ireland.[3][12]
A hotel was built in 1865. Charleville Post Office opened on 1 August 1865[13] and a town began to grow to service the region. Members of the Roma-based Skinner family established a store in the town in 1872 that became known as the Warrego Stores[14] and Edward andMargot Kelly ran the Charleville Hotel together from 1928.[15]
In September 1875, theQueensland Government called for tenders to erect a courthouse in Charleville.[16] The foundation stone (actually a bloodwood block) was laid on 23 November 1875.[17] By January 1876, the courthouse was almost finished.[18]
In December 1884, the Queensland Government called for tenders to erect a hospital in Charleville.[19] In March 1885 the contract was awarded to Richards and King for £2,265 10s.[20] In November 1885, a hospital ball was held in the new hospital building, suggesting it was completed and opened around that time.[21]
Cobb and Co, the legendary Australianstagecoach company, established a coach building business in the town in 1886. however, the railway arrived in 1888, beginning the long demise of coach transport in the area.Charleville railway station opened on 1 March 1888 and was the terminus for theWestern railway line until the line was extended south to Cunnamulla in 1898. Facilities included a locomotive depot, cattle and sheep yards, a 50-tonweighbridge, a booking and telegraph offices, goods shed, stationmaster's house, and guards, enginemen and firemen's cottages.[22] Apart from the railway station in Charleville, there were also two now-abandoned railway sidings:
Charleville railway station is a railway station used byQueensland Rail and a passenger stop for the intercity bus services operated byGreyhound Australia.[23]
In July 1886 the Anglican residents of the town decided to erect a church.[24] All Saint's Anglican Church was opened on by Rev. B. R. Wilson on 20 November 1887. It was designed by diocesan architectJohn Hingestone Buckeridge and built by Mr Wood.[25] It was dedicated in 1897. The foundation stone for the present church was laid in September 1957 byArchbishopReginald Halse.[26] The new church was dedicated in 1958 and consecrated in 1967.[27]
In 1902 Charleville was the location of an unsuccessful attempt byClement Lindley Wragge to fire cannons into the clouds in order to break a drought. The cannons used remain on display in Charleville today.[28]
St Mary's Catholic Primary School was opened on 26 January 1913 by theSisters of Mercy with 108 students.[29][30] By the 1950s, there were over 400 students with a dozen sisters teaching at the school. During the 1960s and 1970s, the school also offered secondary education.[31] The school suffered extensive damage during the April 1990 flood which devastated Charleville.[32]
In 1922,Qantas established an airmail service between Charleville andCloncurry. At the same time, this was Qantas's first regularly scheduled route and the second scheduled air route in Australia.
On 9 October 1924, the Charleville War Memorial was unveiled by SirMatthew Nathan, theGovernor of Queensland.[33]
The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Angels Hostels was consecrated circa 1929. It closed circa 1984.[34]
Charleville was also one of the compulsory stopover/check points during the London toMelbourneMacRobertson Air Race in 1934. The winners of the great race wereTom Campbell Black andC. W. A. Scott. Their triumph was reported inTime magazine as:
"Scott and Black, keeping up their sensational pace, flashed into Charleville, refueled, sped toward the finish where waiting thousands cheered their progress, reported over loudspeakers. With one motor dead, with only two hours sleep since leaving England, the Britons triumphantly set their scarlet torpedo down inMelbourne at 3:34 p.m. In 71 hr. 1 min. 3 sec. – Just under three days – they had flown halfway around the world."[35]
Proximity to the Warrego River has been problematic. Charleville was hit by flooding in 1971 caused by a rain depression that was formed from the remnants ofCyclone Althea.[citation needed]
In April 1990, major floods hit western Queensland, with Charleville being badly affected. Floodwaters peaked at 8.54 metres, over 1,000 homes were inundated, and almost 3,000 people evacuated. Charleville State School and St Mary's School both suffered extensive damage during the April 1990 floods which devastated Charleville.[citation needed]
The district suffered flooding again in 1997, 2008 andMarch 2010.[36][37] Flooding also occurred in February 2012.[38]
A levee was built by the Murweh Shire Council, which was completed in 2009, which protected the town during the 2012 floods (although the floodwater rose close to the top of the levee), but there was still significant flooding in the wider area. In 2013, a diversion and levee system was built to also protect the town from flooding in Bradley’s Gully.[39]
In the2016 census, the locality of Charleville had a population of 3,335 people.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 15.3% of the population. 83.6% of people were born in Australia; the next most common country of birth was Vietnam at 3.3%. 87.6% of people spoke only English at home; other languages spoken at home included Vietnamese at 3.5%. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 34.1%, Anglican 24.1% and No Religion 17.2%.[40]
In the2021 census, the locality of Charleville had a population of 2,992 people.[2]
Charleville has a number ofheritage-listed sites, including:
as well as a number in nearby localities:
Charleville State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 54–56 Wills Street (26°24′17″S146°14′32″E / 26.4048°S 146.2423°E /-26.4048; 146.2423 (Charleville State School)).[47][48] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 205 students with 20 teachers (19 full-time equivalent) and 22 non-teaching staff (16 full-time equivalent).[49] It includes aspecial education program.[47]
St Mary's School is a Catholic primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 66 Watson Street (26°24′13″S146°14′35″E / 26.4036°S 146.2431°E /-26.4036; 146.2431 (St Mary's School)).[47][50] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 117 students with 9 teachers (8 full-time equivalent) and 9 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).[49] It includes a special education program .[47]
Charleville State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls on the corner of Partridge and Hunter Streets (26°23′51″S146°15′27″E / 26.3974°S 146.2574°E /-26.3974; 146.2574 (Charleville State High School)).[47][51] It was established in 1961, replacing the Secondary Department at Charleville State School. In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 246 students (including students fromAugathella,Morven andWyandra) with 36 teachers (34 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (16 full-time equivalent).[49] It includes a special education program.[47]
Charleville School of Distance Education is a government primary and secondary (Early Childhood to Year 10) school for boys and girls at Parry Street (26°23′42″S146°15′31″E / 26.3950°S 146.2586°E /-26.3950; 146.2586 (Charleville School of Distance Education)).[47][52] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 200 students with 25 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 12 non-teaching staff (10 full-time equivalent).[49] It is aSchool of the Air, providingdistance education by a combination of postal services, telephone and Internet to children who are unable to attend a regular school due to their remote location. It includes a special education program.[47]
Charleville has a range of facilities for the community including a swimming pool, bowling green, speedway, racing course, and the Gowrie sporting oval.[53]
Charleville public library is at 94 Alfred Street and is operated by theMurweh Shire Council.[54][55]
The Charleville branch of theQueensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 145 Alfred Street.[56]
The Charleville Golf Course has eighteen sand greens and a licensed clubhouse in May Street.[57][58]
The Charleville Bowls Club has two rinks and a licensed clubhouse in Epacris Street.[citation needed]
All Saints Anglican Church is at 41 Alfred Street (26°24′09″S146°14′15″E / 26.4026°S 146.2374°E /-26.4026; 146.2374 (All Saints Anglican Church)).[27]
Lutheran church services are held at Bluecare Community Centre at 145 Alfred Street (26°23′55″S146°14′37″E / 26.3986°S 146.2436°E /-26.3986; 146.2436 (Lutheran Preaching Place)).[59]
North of the town is VMC, a marine weather transmitter operated by theBureau of Meteorology.[60]
The local newspaper is theWestern Times. Along with many other regional Australian newspapers owned byNewsCorp, the newspaper ceased print editions in June 2020 and became an online-only publication from 26 June 2020.[61]
TheAustralian Broadcasting Corporation transmits ABQ and its sister channels,ABC Kids,ABC Family,ABC Entertains andABC News to Charleville through its relay station,ABCEQ, situated at 26°24′59″S 146°21′20″E.[citation needed] As part of its regional and rural coverage expansion, the ABC opened anews bureau in Charleville in 2022.[62] It was officially opened on 10 March 2022 by the ABC's managing directorDavid Anderson and then – Federal Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and current Federal Member for Maranoa,David Littleproud.[63]
Tourist attractions include:
Charleville Airport is on Qantas Drive (26°24′57″S146°15′44″E / 26.4159°S 146.2621°E /-26.4159; 146.2621 (Charleville Airport)) approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-west of the town centre.[69][70] It has two runways, both sealed. One is 1,524 by 30 metres (5,000 ft × 98 ft) and is lit, while the other is 1,067 by 23 metres (3,501 ft × 75 ft) and is unlit.[71]
The Westlander rail passenger service links the Charleville railway station (26°24′23″S146°14′39″E / 26.4064°S 146.2441°E /-26.4064; 146.2441 (Charleville railway station)) toBrisbane. It first started running in August 1954, replacing theWestern Mail. Charleville would have been the southern end of theTranscontinental railway proposed in the 1880s, connecting toPoint Parker on theGulf of Carpentaria.[citation needed]
Prior to 1994,TheWestlander was divided at Charleville, the service to Quilpie (3Q02) being nicknamed theFlying Flea and consisted of two passenger carriages, a guards van and power van. The remainder of the train (3V02) headed to Cunnamulla via Westgate and Wyandra. In August 1994, passenger services beyond Charleville were discontinued.[citation needed]
Prior to 10 December 2021, Charleville was serviced byBus Queensland who operated daily coach services to and fromBrisbane viaToowoomba,Dalby,Chinchilla,Miles,Roma,Mitchell andMorven and vice versa. Charleville was also a scheduled stop forBus Queensland's daily services fromBrisbane toMount Isa and vice versa.[citation needed]
Since 11 December 2021, Charleville has been serviced byGreyhound Australia who operate the following services which it regained fromBus Queensland under a contract from theQueensland Government:[citation needed]
| Service | Destination and intermediate stops |
|---|---|
| Gx493 | Brisbane to Mount Isa via Toowoomba, Miles, Roma, Charleville, Augathella, Blackall, Longreach, Winton and Cloncurry |
| Gx494 | Mount Isa to Brisbane via Cloncurry, Winton, Longreach, Blackall, Augathella, Charleville, Roma, Miles and Toowoomba |
| Gx495 | Brisbane to Charleville via Toowoomba, Oakey, Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles, Roma, Mitchell and Morven |
| Gx496 | Charleville to Brisbane via Morven, Mitchell, Roma, Miles, Chinchilla, Dalby, Oakey and Toowoomba |
| Preceding station |  Queensland Rail | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morven towardsBrisbane | The Westlander | Terminus | ||
Charleville experiences ahot semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh), with hot summers with variable rainfall and humidity; as well as having mild, dry winters with occasional frost and highhigh diurnal ranges. Average maxima range from 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in January to 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) in July. Annual precipitation is rather low, averaging 487.3 mm (19.19 in), and peaks in summer due to more abundant showers andthunderstorms.[72] Severe flooding events can occur due totropical cyclones remnants and monsoon troughs; evident by the 399.7 mm (15.74 in) falling in February 1896: the highest monthly total recorded. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 47.0 °C (116.6 °F) on 27 January 1947 to −5.2 °C (22.6 °F) on 21 July 1951.[73]
| Climate data for Charleville (26º24'36"S, 146º15'36"E, 302 m AMSL) (1942–2024 normals, extremes 1889–2024) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 47.0 (116.6) | 45.2 (113.4) | 43.9 (111.0) | 38.8 (101.8) | 33.3 (91.9) | 31.0 (87.8) | 30.7 (87.3) | 35.8 (96.4) | 40.7 (105.3) | 43.2 (109.8) | 45.0 (113.0) | 46.0 (114.8) | 47.0 (116.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 35.2 (95.4) | 34.0 (93.2) | 32.2 (90.0) | 28.3 (82.9) | 23.4 (74.1) | 20.0 (68.0) | 19.7 (67.5) | 22.1 (71.8) | 26.3 (79.3) | 30.0 (86.0) | 32.9 (91.2) | 34.9 (94.8) | 28.2 (82.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22.0 (71.6) | 21.4 (70.5) | 18.9 (66.0) | 13.9 (57.0) | 9.0 (48.2) | 5.6 (42.1) | 4.4 (39.9) | 5.9 (42.6) | 10.0 (50.0) | 14.6 (58.3) | 18.0 (64.4) | 20.5 (68.9) | 13.7 (56.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 10.6 (51.1) | 9.4 (48.9) | 5.0 (41.0) | 0.8 (33.4) | −3.6 (25.5) | −5.0 (23.0) | −5.2 (22.6) | −4.9 (23.2) | −1.7 (28.9) | 0.9 (33.6) | 4.4 (39.9) | 6.7 (44.1) | −5.2 (22.6) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 74.7 (2.94) | 66.5 (2.62) | 59.8 (2.35) | 28.5 (1.12) | 29.8 (1.17) | 24.6 (0.97) | 24.3 (0.96) | 19.5 (0.77) | 24.4 (0.96) | 35.6 (1.40) | 44.7 (1.76) | 55.5 (2.19) | 487.3 (19.19) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 5.6 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 43.6 |
| Average afternoonrelative humidity (%) | 30 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 36 | 39 | 35 | 29 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 30 |
| Averagedew point °C (°F) | 11.1 (52.0) | 12.8 (55.0) | 10.1 (50.2) | 7.6 (45.7) | 5.7 (42.3) | 4.1 (39.4) | 2.0 (35.6) | 0.9 (33.6) | 1.2 (34.2) | 3.4 (38.1) | 5.3 (41.5) | 7.7 (45.9) | 6.0 (42.8) |
| Source:Bureau of Meteorology (1942–2024 normals, extremes 1889–2024)[74][75] | |||||||||||||
This Wikipedia article incorporatesCC BY 4.0licensed text from:"Gungabula".Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map.State Library of Queensland. Retrieved28 January 2020. This Wikipedia article incorporates text fromHotel Corones, Charleville (22 November 2019) published by theState Library of Queensland underCC BYlicence, accessed on 15 January 2020.
Media related toCharleville, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons
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