View source for Quilpie, Queensland

{{This|the town|the local government area|Shire of Quilpie}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}}
{{GeoGroup}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                = town
| name                = Quilpie
| state               = qld
| image               = Brolga Street, Quilpie.JPG
| caption             = Brolga St, the main street of Quilpie
| coordinates         = {{coord|-26.6161|144.2675|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Quilpie (town centre)}}
| pop                 = 530
| pop_year            = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| pop_footnotes       = <ref name=Census2021/>
| established         = 1917
| postcode            = 4480
| area                = 17847.0
| timezone            = [[AEST]]
| utc                 = +10:00
| dist1               = 211 <!-- road distances as per template instructions -->
| dir1                = W
| location1           = [[Charleville, Queensland|Charleville]]
| dist2               = 478
| dir2                = W
| location2           = [[Roma, Queensland|Roma]]
| dist3               = 829
| dir3                = W
| location3           = [[Toowoomba]]
| dist4               = 1099
| dir4                = W
| location4           = [[Brisbane]]
| lga                 = Shire of Quilpie
| stategov            = [[Electoral district of Warrego|Warrego]]
| fedgov              = [[Division of Maranoa|Maranoa]]
| near-n              = [[Adavale]]
| near-ne             = [[Adavale]]
| near-e              = [[Humeburn, Queensland|Humeburn]]
| near-se             = [[Yowah]]
| near-s              = [[Thargomindah]]
| near-sw             = [[Thargomindah]]
| near-w              = [[Eromanga, Queensland|Eromanga]]
| near-nw             = [[Eromanga, Queensland|Eromanga]]
}}
'''Quilpie''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|w|ɪ|l|p|i}} {{respell|KWIL|pee}}) is a rural town and [[Suburbs and localities (Australia)|locality]] in the [[Shire of Quilpie|Shire of Quilpie, Queensland]], Australia.<ref name=qpnt>{{cite QPN|27822|Quilpie|town in Shire of Quilpie|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref><ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|50254|Quilpie|locality in Shire of Quilpie|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Quilpie had a population of 530 people.<ref name=Census2021/>

The town is the administrative centre of the [[Shire of Quilpie|Quilpie Shire]] [[Local government in Australia|local government area]]. The town of [[Toompine, Queensland|Toompine]] is also within the locality.

The [[economy]] of the area is based on the grazing and mining industries. The area has one of the largest deposits of [[opal|boulder opal]] in the world, and also has extensive deposits of [[natural gas|gas]] and [[Petroleum|oil]].

== Geography ==
Quilpie is in [[Channel Country]] on the banks of the [[Bulloo River]].<ref name="globenatural">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourses |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=[[Queensland Government]]}}</ref> It is on the [[Diamantina Developmental Road]],<ref name="globetransport">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Road and rail; Railways; Railway stations |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=[[Queensland Government]]}}</ref>  {{convert|211|km|mi}} west of [[Charleville, Queensland|Charleville]], {{convert|829|km|mi}} west of [[Toowoomba]] and {{convert|1099|km|mi}} west of the state capital, [[Brisbane]]. Quilpie is the administrative centre of the Quilpie Shire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quilpie and Quilpie Shire |url=https://queenslandplaces.com.au/quilpie-and-quilpie-shire |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Queensland Places}}</ref>

The town of Quilpie is in the north of the locality, while the smaller town of [[Toompine, Queensland|Toompine]] ({{coord|-27.2225|144.3611|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Toompine, Queensland}}) is in the south of the locality.<ref name="qpn34918">{{cite QPN|34918|Toompine|population centre in Shire of Quilpie|access-date=8 March 2023}}</ref>

Quilpie has quite a few trees but sometimes drought takes over and the landscape can become dry and desolate.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

== History ==
Quilpie is believed to lie on the border of the [[Bunthamurra]] and [[Margany]] [[Indigenous Australian]] tribal areas.<ref name=lure>{{cite book|last1=Jenkins|first1=Lesley|title=Lure of the Land: A Brief History of the Quilpie Shire|date=January 2001|url=http://www.southwestnrm.org.au/sites/default/files/uploads/ihub/lure-land.pdf|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326201318/http://www.southwestnrm.org.au/sites/default/files/uploads/ihub/lure-land.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Margany language|Margany]] (also known as Marganj, Mardigan, Marukanji, Maranganji) is an [[Australian Aboriginal language]] spoken by the Margany people. The Margany language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the [[Quilpie Shire]], taking in Quilpie, [[Cheepie, Queensland|Cheepie]] and Beechal extending towards [[Eulo, Queensland|Eulo]] and [[Thargomindah]], as well as the properties of [[Dynevor, Queensland|Dynevor Downs]] and Ardoch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/margany-24?embed=true|title=Margany|website=[[State Library of Queensland]]|access-date=15 January 2020|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531094435/https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/margany-24?embed=true|url-status=live}}</ref>

The township of Toompine was surveyed in 1870. The name ''Toompine'' is an Indigenous language word meaning ''[[leech]]''.<ref name="qpn34918" />

Goombie State School opened on Goombie Station (north of the town of Quilpie at {{Coord|-26.1126|144.1348|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Goombie Station}}) on 27 January 1875 and closed on 9 December 1977.<ref name="qfhs" />

Toompine Provisional School and Duck Creek Provisional School both opened in 1900. In 1901, they became half-time schools (meaning they shared a single teacher between the two schools). Toompine Provisional School closed in July 1902, enabling Duck Creek Provisional School to revert to full-time status. Due to low student numbers, Duck Creek Provisional School closed in 1905.<ref name="qfhs">{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=[[Queensland Family History Society]]|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref>

Quilpie was gazetted as a town in 1917 owing to the [[Western railway line, Queensland|Western railway line]] that was laid down from Brisbane.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://walkabout.com.au/locations/QLDQuilpie.shtml|title=Walkabout – Quilpie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608173820/http://walkabout.com.au/locations/QLDQuilpie.shtml|archive-date=8 June 2007|date=8 June 2007|access-date=11 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> It takes its name from the [[Australian Aboriginal languages|Indigenous Australian]] word for [[stone curlew]], ''quilpeta''.<ref name=qpnt/><ref name=qpnl/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Queensland/Outback/Quilpie |title=Quilpie, Queensland - Explore Australia Travel Guide |access-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006180909/http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Queensland/Outback/Quilpie |archive-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The name was proposed by pastoralist James Hammond of Tenham Station.<ref name=qpnt/> The [[Queensland Railways Department]] mistakenly named the railway station ''Quillpill''.<ref>{{Cite QPN|27823|Quilpie|railway station in Shire of Quilpie|access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> The town and station name were standardised to Quilpie on 16 June 1917 by the Governor in Council.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/qld/environment/land/place-names/search#/search=quilpie&types=0&place=Quilpie27822|title=Queensland Place Names|website=Department of Natural Resources and Mines|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209003022/https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/qld/environment/land/place-names/search#/search=quilpie&types=0&place=Quilpie27822|archive-date=9 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213487649|title=WESTERN RAILWAY.|date=1 May 1917|issue=4422|location=Queensland, Australia|page=4|via=National Library of Australia|newspaper=[[Daily Mail (Brisbane)|Daily Mail]]|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-date=10 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410003855/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213487649|url-status=live}}</ref>

Quilpie State School opened on 10 September 1918.<ref name="qfhs"/> The school began offering secondary education in 1966. On 5 December 2008, it was renamed Quilpie State College.<ref name="school">{{cite web|url=http://quilpiesc.eq.edu.au/school_history.htm|title=School History|date=20 June 2011|publisher=Quilpie State School|access-date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320114601/http://quilpiesc.eq.edu.au/school_history.htm|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite QSA Agency|5641|Quilpie State School (College)|1 January 2020
}}</ref>

The first post office was opened in 1921. Two years later the telephone reached Quilpie .<ref name="herqldout" />

A fire destroyed a block of the main street in 1926. With no town water the residents watched helplessly.<ref name="herqldout"/>

In 1927, the first court house was established.<ref name="herqldout" />

Prior to 1930, Quilpie was within the [[Shire of Adavale]], headquartered at [[Adavale]]. However, the decision to route the railway line through Quilpie rather than Adavale had led to a population drift away from Adavale making Quilpie the larger town. On 17 July 1930, there was a re-organisation of local government in the district, resulting in the abolition of the Shire of Adavale and the creation of the Shire of Quilpie with Quilpie as its headquarters.<ref name="herqldout">{{Cite book |title=Heritage Trails of the Queensland Outback |last=Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland) |author-link=Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland) |year=2002 |publisher=State of Queensland |isbn=0-7345-1040-3 |pages=104–105}}</ref>

St Finbarr's Catholic Church was officially opened and dedicated on Sunday 14 December 1930 by the [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba|Bishop of Toowoomba]], [[James Byrne (bishop of Toowoomba)|James Byrne]].<ref>{{cite news |date=25 December 1930 |title=St. Finbarr's Church, Quilpie |volume=XX |page=27 |newspaper=[[The Catholic Advocate]] |issue=1021 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article261237400 |accessdate=10 April 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410013455/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261237400 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=15 December 1930 |title=Quilpie Church |volume=LXIX |page=11 |newspaper=[[Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette]] |issue=308 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article254169400 |accessdate=10 April 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410013503/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/254169400 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was built from timber.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Finbarr's Catholic Church {{!}} Quilpie |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=5904 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410013458/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=5904 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1972, it was replaced with a brick church designed by W. Durack.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Finbarr's Catholic Church {{!}} Quilpie |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4297 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410013457/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4297 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A bore was sunk into the [[Great Artesian Basin]] in 1933. It provided drinking water for the town and between 1952 and 1963 the hot water was used to generate electricity for the town.<ref name="herqldout" />

On 15 October 1936, St Matthew's Anglican Church was officially opened and dedicated by [[Horace Dixon (bishop)|Bishop Dixon]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=17 October 1936 |title=Biggenden |page=27 |newspaper=[[The Courier-mail]] |issue=978 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37025504 |accessdate=10 April 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410013434/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37025504 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was built from timber and could seat 100 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Matthew's Anglican Church {{!}} Quilpie |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4296 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410013504/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4296 |url-status=live }}</ref> The church bell was donated by the people of [[Cunnamulla]].<ref name=":0" />

St Finbarr's Catholic School opened in early 1950, shortly after the arrival in January 1950 of three [[Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart]], Sisters Macrina, Carmel and Magdalen. By the end of 1950, over 60 children were enrolled. A boarding school for boys and girls was opened in 1951. The first [[Laity|lay]] teacher, Michael West, was appointed in 1983. When the boarding facility closed in 2008, it was the last rural Catholic primary boarding school in Queensland. In 2009, the first lay principal, Aaron Wells, was appointed and the administration of the school passed from the Sisters to the Catholic Education Office of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba]] who operate the school in the [[Mary MacKillop]] tradition (MacKillop being the founder of the Sisters of St Joseph).<ref name="qfhs"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.quilpie.catholic.edu.au/history.html|title=History|website=St Finbarr's, Quilpie|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101140743/http://www.quilpie.catholic.edu.au/history.html|archive-date=1 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76689298|title=NEWS FROM QUILPIE|date=6 July 1950|newspaper=[[The Charleville Times]]|access-date=2 January 2020|location=Queensland, Australia|page=10|via=Trove|archive-date=10 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410003847/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76689298|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1954 to 1994, [[The Westlander]] was split at [[Charleville railway station, Queensland|Charleville]]. the Quilpie Section (3Q02) was known as the "Flying Flea" and it consisted of two passenger carriages, a guards van and power van. Both 3Q02 and 3V02 were withdrawn in 1994 and replaced by TrainLink bus services.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The current Quilpie Public Library building opened in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
In the {{CensusAU|2001}}, the town of Quilpie had a population of 645 people. Around 14% of the population of Quilpie identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and around 2% were born outside Australia.<ref name="Census2001">{{Census 2001 AUS|id=UCL347800 |name=Quilpie (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=10 July 2024|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town  of Quilpie had a population of 560 people.<ref name="Census2006">{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL347800|name=Quilpie (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=2008-07-21|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Quilpie had a population of 574 people.<ref name="Census2011">{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31365 |name=Quilpie (SSC)|accessdate=23 July 2014|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Quilpie had a population of 595 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC32401|name=Quilpie (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Quilpie had a population of 451 people with 16.2% identifying as [[Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander|Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander]].<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32377|name=Quilpie (SAL)|access-date=2 April 2024|quick=on}}</ref>

== Economy ==
The area is wholly devoted to [[grazing]]. [[Boulder opal]], oil and gas [[mining]] are major secondary industries for the local economy. The majority of the employees of these industries are local residents, with low rates of both unemployment and itinerant work.

Quilpie has one opal mining field; Toompine Field is located between Quilpie and [[Yowah]].

== Flora and fauna ==
The most common species of trees in the district are:<ref>Quilpie Shire Council, "Tracks and Facts of Quilpie Shire" 2011 p. 13</ref>
* [[Acacia aneura|Mulga]]
* [[Acacia cambagei|Gidgee]]
* [[Eucalyptus camaldulensis|Red river gum]]
* [[Bloodwood]]
* [[Sandalwood]]
* [[Beefwood]]
There are a large range of animals (including reptiles and insects) that can be found in the area including:{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
* [[Bearded dragon]]
* [[Sand goanna]] (''Varanus gouldii'') – ''bungarra'' in some aboriginal languages
* [[Black-headed python]]
* [[Inland taipan]] (''Oxyuranus microlepidotus'') – also known as '''western taipan''' and '''fierce snake'''
* [[Pseudechis australis|Mulga snake]] (''Pseudechis australis'') – also known as the '''king brown'''
* [[Brolga]] (''Grus rubicunda'')
* [[Emu]] (''Dromaius novaehollandiae'')
* [[Wedge-tailed eagle]] (''Aquila audax'')
* [[Red kangaroo]] (''Macropus rufus'')
* [[Eastern grey kangaroo]] (''Macropus giganteus'')
* [[Common wallaroo]] (''Macropus robustus'')
* [[Macrotis|Bilby]] (''Macrotis lagotis'')
* [[Rakali|Water rat]] (''Hydromys chrysogaster'')
* [[Dingo]]

== Amenities ==
[[File:Quilpie post office2007.JPG|thumb|Quilpie post office, 2007]]
Quilpie residents enjoy free access to many amenities including a post office, the town library, swimming pool, golf course, museum, sports grounds, an air-conditioned hall and supper room etc. There are well stocked stores and plenty of attractions for visitors with displays of opals and the works of local artists and as well as an information centre. The Brick Hotel has been restored to house displays of opal and art and provide a community learning space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The pub with no beer |url=http://www.quilpieopal.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307181812/http://quilpieopal.com/ |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref><ref>[http://www.quilpielearningnetwork.com.au Community Learning Space]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094149/http://www.quilpielearningnetwork.com.au/ |date=29 September 2007 }}</ref>[[File:Quilpie public library.JPG|thumb|Quilpie public library, 2012]]Quilpie Shire Council operates Quilpie Shire Library at 52 Brolga Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/visit-us/find-a-public-library/branches/quilpie/quilpie_library|title=Quilpie Shire Library|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102131514/http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/visit-us/find-a-public-library/branches/quilpie/quilpie_library|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Quilpie branch of the [[Queensland Country Women's Association]] has its rooms at 17 Brolga Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch locations|website=[[Queensland Country Women's Association]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref>

St Finbarr's Catholic Church is on the south-east corner of Bulnbuln Street and Quarrion Street ({{coord|-26.616203|144.2692|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Finbarr's Catholic Church}}). The altar and baptismal font are decorated with local opals.<ref name="QRPD-4297">{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Finbarr's Catholic Church |url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=4297 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Queensland religious places database |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106003224/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=4297 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=St Finbarr's Parish, Quilpie |url=https://www.twb.catholic.org.au/parish/st-finbarrs-parish-quilpie/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |publisher=Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308182134/https://www.twb.catholic.org.au/parish/st-finbarrs-parish-quilpie/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-26.6162438,144.2692412,3a,41.5y,75.55h,88.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUZi_Q0ONiunGoeMHK378wg!2e0!7i3328!8i1664|title=St Finbarr's Catholic Church (Streetview)|access-date=10 April 2023|date=April 2008}}</ref>

St Matthew's Anglican Church is on the north-west corner of Bulnbuln Street and Quarrion Street  ({{coord|-26.615601|144.2689|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Matthew's Anglican Church}}).<ref name="QRPD-4296">{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Matthew's Anglican Church |url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=4296 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Queensland religious places database |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106003215/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=4296 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Education ==
[[File:Playground, Quilpie State School, 2023.jpg|thumb|Playground, Quilpie State School, 2023]]
Quilpie State College is a government primary and secondary (Early Childhood to Year 10) school for boys and girls at the corner of Chulungra and Boonkai Streets ({{coord|-26.6149|144.2714|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Quilpie State College}}).<ref name="SchoolList20182">{{cite web |date=9 July 2018 |title=State and non-state school details |url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=[[Queensland Government]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=Quilpie State College |url=https://quilpiesc.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Quilpie State College |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302001107/https://quilpiesc.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 61 students with 12 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 12 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=22 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 65 students with 13 teachers (12 full-time equivalent) and 12 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018">{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2018 |url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |access-date=28 January 2020 |publisher=[[Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority]] |archive-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |url-status=live }}</ref>

St Finbarr's School is a Catholic primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at Jabiru Street ({{coord|-26.6167|144.2701|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=St Finbarr's School}}).<ref name="SchoolList20182" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - St Finbarr's School, Quilpie |url=https://www.quilpie.catholic.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=St Finbarr's School, Quilpie Website |language=en-US |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323164846/https://www.quilpie.catholic.edu.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 30 students with 5 teachers (3 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2017" /> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 26 students with 4 teachers (3 full-time equivalent) and 3 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018" />

For students wanting to study Years 11 and 12, the closest secondary school is [[Charleville State High School]] in [[Charleville, Queensland|Charleville]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-17 |title=Charleville State High School |url=https://charlevilleshs.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Charleville State High School |language=en |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202063533/https://charlevilleshs.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 211 kilometres (131 mi) to the east. Alternatively, Year 11 and 12 students can also study using [[Distance education in Queensland|distance education]] provided by the [[Charleville School of Distance Education]] or move away to various boarding schools.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Charleville School of Distance Education |url=https://charlevillesde.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Charleville School of Distance Education |language=en |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224005435/https://charlevillesde.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Climate ==
Quilpie experiences a [[semi-arid climate#hot semi-arid climate|hot semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen:]] BSh), with very hot, somewhat rainy summers and mild, dry winters. Average maxima strongly vary from season to season: between {{convert|37.0|C}} in January and {{convert|20.1|C}} in July. Annual precipitation is rather low, averaging {{convert|347.3|mm|in|abbr=on}}, with a summer maximum. The town is very sunny, with 195.9 clear days and only 62.3 cloudy days annually. Extreme temperatures have ranged from {{convert|47.1|C}} on 3 January 2014 to {{convert|-2.3|C}} on 2 July 1977.<ref>{{cite web 
|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=45015 |title = Quilpie Airport Climate (1917-2024) |publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 22, 2024}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Quilpie (26º36'36"S, 144º15'36"E, 200 m AMSL) (1917–2024 normals, extremes 1957–2014)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 47.1
|Feb record high C = 45.5	
|Mar record high C = 42.9
|Apr record high C = 38.4	
|May record high C = 34.5		
|Jun record high C = 32.1	
|Jul record high C = 29.4	
|Aug record high C = 37.0		
|Sep record high C = 40.1		
|Oct record high C = 43.8	
|Nov record high C = 44.9	
|Dec record high C = 46.2	
|Jan high C = 37.0	
|Feb high C = 35.6	
|Mar high C = 33.4
|Apr high C = 29.2
|May high C = 24.0		
|Jun high C = 20.4	
|Jul high C = 20.1	
|Aug high C = 22.7
|Sep high C = 27.1
|Oct high C = 31.0
|Nov high C = 34.0
|Dec high C = 36.3	
|Jan low C = 23.8
|Feb low C = 23.3	
|Mar low C = 20.5	
|Apr low C = 15.6		
|May low C = 10.9		
|Jun low C = 7.4		
|Jul low C = 6.1	
|Aug low C = 7.7		
|Sep low C = 11.7	
|Oct low C = 16.1	
|Nov low C = 19.6		
|Dec low C = 22.2	
|Jan record low C = 13.7
|Feb record low C = 13.3	
|Mar record low C = 9.6	
|Apr record low C = 3.5	
|May record low C = 1.0	
|Jun record low C = -1.2	
|Jul record low C = -2.3	
|Aug record low C = -1.0
|Sep record low C = 2.1
|Oct record low C = 5.4	
|Nov record low C = 8.6
|Dec record low C = 12.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 52.1	
|Feb precipitation mm = 49.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 43.6 	
|Apr precipitation mm = 24.2	
|May precipitation mm = 26.3		
|Jun precipitation mm = 19.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 16.2	
|Aug precipitation mm = 13.1	
|Sep precipitation mm = 14.9	
|Oct precipitation mm = 22.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 30.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 34.4
|year precipitation mm = 347.3
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4.1
|Feb precipitation days = 3.7
|Mar precipitation days = 3.1
|Apr precipitation days = 1.9	
|May precipitation days = 2.3
|Jun precipitation days = 2.2	
|Jul precipitation days = 2.0	
|Aug precipitation days = 1.5
|Sep precipitation days = 1.9	
|Oct precipitation days = 2.8	
|Nov precipitation days = 3.3	
|Dec precipitation days = 3.7
|Jan afthumidity = 26
|Feb afthumidity = 31
|Mar afthumidity = 29
|Apr afthumidity = 29
|May afthumidity = 35
|Jun afthumidity = 39
|Jul afthumidity = 35
|Aug afthumidity = 28
|Sep afthumidity = 24
|Oct afthumidity = 22
|Nov afthumidity = 21
|Dec afthumidity = 22
|Jan dew point C = 11.3
|Feb dew point C = 12.3
|Mar dew point C = 10.0
|Apr dew point C = 7.3
|May dew point C = 6.3
|Jun dew point C = 4.9
|Jul dew point C = 2.4
|Aug dew point C = 1.3
|Sep dew point C = 1.4
|Oct dew point C = 3.4
|Nov dew point C = 5.7
|Dec dew point C = 7.9
|source 1 = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] (1917–2024 normals, extremes 1957–2014)<ref>{{cite web 
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_045015_All.shtml
|title = Quilpie Airport Climate Statistics (1917–2024) 
|publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]]
|access-date = July 22, 2024}}
</ref>
}}

== Events ==
* The Pride of the West festival is held in September every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quilpiediggers.com/pride-of-the-west-quilpie |title=Pride of the West :: Quilpie Diggers Race Club |access-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051748/http://www.quilpiediggers.com/pride-of-the-west-quilpie |archive-date=8 August 2014 }}</ref>
* The Quilpie Cup Races<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quilpiediggers.com/quilpie-cup |title=Quilpie Cup Meeting :: Quilpie Diggers Race Club |access-date=4 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227081852/http://quilpiediggers.com/quilpie-cup |archive-date=27 February 2015 }}</ref>
* The Kangaranga Do festival is held in September every year on the Tuesday before the Birdsville Races.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://quilpie.qld.gov.au/events/ |title=Events Archive &#124; Quilpie Shire Council |access-date=4 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205075629/http://quilpie.qld.gov.au/events/ |archive-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notable people from Quilpie ==
* [[Vaughan Johnson (politician)|Vaughan Johnson]], Queensland state politician
* [[Ewen Jones]], Australian federal politician
* [[Donald Markwell]], social scientist and educational leader
* [[Sandy McPhie]], former Queensland state politician
* [[Justine Saunders]], Australian actor

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
||Quilpie Post Office in 2007
|File:Quilpie Visitors Centre and regional art gallery.JPG|Quilpie Visitors Centre and regional art gallery
|File:Quilpie Shire Hall.JPG|Quilpie Shire Hall
|File:Rainbow over Quilpie.JPG|Rainbow over Quilpie - view from behind the Art Gallery
|File:Quilpie public art.JPG|Quilpie public art in the main street
|File:Quilpie Hotel.JPG|Quilpie Hotel
|File:Road to Quilpie - Development Road.JPG|Development Road into Quilpie.
|File:StateLibQld 1 100104.jpg|The Imperial Hotel under construction, c.1925
|File:StateLibQld 1 183407 Car of a Brisbane tourist being taken on a truck to Quilpie railhead, 1952.jpg|A Brisbane tourist's car being trucked to Quilpie railhead, 1952
|File:StateLibQld 1 100980.jpg|Drinking at the bar of the Quilpie Hotel, c.1921
}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Queensland}}
* [[Quilpie Airport]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|last1=Jenkins|first1=Lesley|title=Lure of the Land: A Brief History of the Quilpie Shire|date=January 2001|url=http://www.southwestnrm.org.au/sites/default/files/uploads/ihub/lure-land.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2015|access-date=13 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326201318/http://www.southwestnrm.org.au/sites/default/files/uploads/ihub/lure-land.pdf|url-status=dead}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Quilpie, Queensland}}
* [http://queenslandplaces.com.au/quilpie-and-quilpie-shire University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Quilpie and Quilpie Shire]
* [http://www.quilpie.qld.gov.au/ Official website of Shire of Quilpie]
* [https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-quilpie-1984.jpg Town map of Quilie, 1984] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101142654/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-quilpie-1984.jpg |date=1 January 2020 }}
* [https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-toompine-1977.jpg Town map of Toompine, 1977] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410001832/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-toompine-1977.jpg |date=10 April 2023 }}
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkULznD0QOw&index=76&list=PLrqonDHggzO9AedJor3-1E91xA6aD7OYT Living in Quilpie]'' by Ben Hall, a 3 min 20 sec video, published by [[State Library of Queensland]] as part of [[Storylines: Q150 Digital Stories|Storylines:Q150 digital stories]]
* [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma996932344702061 Annual reports Quilpie Hospitals Board 1959 to 1991], State Library of Queensland

{{Shire of Quilpie}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Queensland]]
[[Category:South West Queensland]]
[[Category:Shire of Quilpie]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1917]]
[[Category:1917 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Localities in Queensland]]