Moonie, Queensland

Moonie
Queensland

The playground, craft and information centre at Moonie
Moonie
Coordinates 27°43′01″S 150°22′16″E / 27.71694°S 150.37111°E / -27.71694; 150.37111Coordinates: 27°43′01″S 150°22′16″E / 27.71694°S 150.37111°E / -27.71694; 150.37111
Postcode(s) 4406
Location
LGA(s)
State electorate(s) Warrego
Federal Division(s) Maranoa

Moonie is a town and locality in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia.

Geography

The town is in the Western Downs Region local government area[1] at the intersection of the Leichhardt and Moonie Highways, 331 kilometres (206 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane, and is the Official Oil Capital of Australia. The locality is split between the Western Downs Region (northern part of the locality) and the Goondiwindi Region (southern part of the locality).[2][3]

History

The town's name is derived from Moonie River, which was first recorded as Mooni by Sir Thomas Mitchell in November 1846 when he passed through the region.[4]

Moonie Post Office opened by June 1966 closed in 1983.[5]

Economy

In December 1961 Moonie was the site of Australia's first commercial oil field, a very small field consisting of less than one percent of Australia's oil and gas reserves.[6] The oil field is still operational and pumps out 35 kilolitres (7,700 gallons) every day.[7]

The region is also an agricultural area that produces grain, beef cattle and prime lambs.

Amenities

The town has a public school, service station, the Moonie Sports Club and a motel.

References

  1. ↑ "Moonie - town (entry 22670)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "Moonie - locality (Western Downs Region) (entry 47730)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "Moonie - locality (Goondiwindi Region) (entry 47820)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  4. ↑ "MOONIE, QUEENSLAND". Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  5. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Moonie". Walkabout - Australian Travel Guide. Fairfax. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  7. ↑ "Places to Visit - Western Downs - Moonie". Queensland Holidays. Tourism Queensland. Retrieved 2007-09-23.


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