Business categories in Barcaldine, QLD

Welcome to Barcaldine, QLD

Barcaldine is a small town and locality in Central West Queensland. It is 1,073 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. It has a population of over 1,600.

History

The town’s namesake was local sheep station ‘Barcaldine Downs’, built in 1863 by Donald Cameron. He took the name from his family property in Ayrshire, Scotland. It was named for the nearby settlement of Barcaldine.

Barcaldine Post Office opened in 1886. Barcaldine State School opened in 1887.

The town played a major role in the Australian labour movement. The 1891 Australian shearers’ strike was held at Barcaldine. It was one of Australia’s earliest and most important industrial disputes. Striking shearers met under Barcaldine’s 200-year-old ghost gum tree to converse. Those meetings led to the birth of the Australian Labor Party.

Lifestyle and Entertainment

The town’s streets are named after different types of trees. Major industries are sheep and beef cattle rearing.

Barcaldine has a number of facilities. These include a public library and visitor information centre. The town also has a historical and folk museum and swimming pool.

Bowls, tennis and golf are among the popular sports played in the town.