Located 980 kilometres west of Brisbane and 208 kilometres west of Charleville, Quilpie is the commercial and social centre of the Quilpie Shire. The name of the town was derived from the Aboriginal word 'Quilpeta' meaning Stone Curlew.
Relatively young, Quilpie was declared an official town on 29 April 1917, in the same year the railway line from Charleville to Quilpie was completed. Quilpie is rich in grazing history beginning with the pioneering efforts of families such as the Costello's, Tully's and Duracks.
Quilpie is located on the banks of the Bullo River in the famous Channel Country of western Queensland. The shire is supported through primary industries such as sheep, cattle grazing, oil, gas and opal mining. Apart from these main industries Quilpie Shire houses a keen and talented artistic community.
Quilpie is a friendly town and locals love to stop and chat with visitors. There are a number of historical sites and museums to visit, as well as an art gallery and of course Mural Park.
The Quilpie Shire is a stunning outback region steeped with a rich pioneering and prehistoric history and an abundance of birdlife and natural wonders. From the rich red sandy soils and sand ridges to the heavier black soils, there’s a vast contrast in the country and vegetation.