Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of Bulloo Shire were the Kulilli Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1860s, with land used mainly for pastoral purposes. Gradual growth took place during the late 1800s, when several small townships were established. The population increased gradually from the post-war years, rising from about 500 in 1947 to nearly 800 in 1961. The population then declined, falling to under 600 in 1971, and to about 500 in 1981. From the 1980s oil and gas exploration and mining took place in the Jackson Oil Field. The population then increased, rising to nearly 700 in 1986, and then to about 800 in 1991. The population declined gradually from the early 1990s, falling to about 600 in 2006. The population then increased slightly, rising to about 700 in 2011, and then declined again to about 500 in 2016.

Land use

Bulloo Shire is a predominantly rural area, with a small township at Thargomindah. The Shire encompasses a total land area of about 73,880 square kilometres. Rural land is used largely for sheep and cattle grazing, with oil mining and gas production also being important industries.

Transport

Bulloo Shire is served by Adventure Way.

Major features

• Major features of Bulloo Shire include Lake Bindegolly National Park,
• Currawinya National Park,
• Lake Bindegolly,
• Lake Numalla,
• Lake Wyara,
• The Bulloo River,
• Noccundra Waterhole,
• Thargomindah Community Clinic,
• Thargomindah Golf Club,
• Noccundra Racecourse,
• Thargomindah Memorial Park,
• Thargomindah Sports Oval,
• Burke and Wills “Dig” Tree,
• Thargomindah Hydro Power Plant,
• Ballera Gas Centre and Jackson Oil Field.

Included areas