Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of Paroo Shire were the Baakandji and Budjiti Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1840s, although population was minimal until the 1860s, with land used mainly for sheep and cattle grazing. Growth took place during the late 1800s and early 1900s as small townships were established and opal mining started, aided by the opening of the railway line. The population reached about 2,400 in 1911. Growth took place during the post-war years, with the population rising from about 3,500 in 1933 to about 4,100 in 1954. The population then declined, falling to about 3,000 in 1976, and then to about 2,800 in 1991. The population continued to generally gradually decline from the 1990s, falling to about 1,900 in 2016.

Land use

Paroo Shire is a predominantly rural area, with small townships at Cunnamulla, Eulo, Wyandra and Yowah. The Shire encompasses a total land area of about 47,700 square kilometres. Rural land is used largely for sheep and cattle grazing, with some cotton growing and honey production. Opal mining is also an important industry.

Transport

Paroo Shire is served by the Balonne Highway and the Mitchell Highway.

Major features

• Major features of Paroo Shire include Currawinya National Park,
• Culgoa Floodplain National Park,
• Yowah opal fields,
• Yowah Artesian Bore Baths,
• Artesian Mud Baths,
• Eulo Belle Arts and Opal Centre,
• PowerHouse Museum Wyandra,
• Cunnamulla Fella Centre (including Art Gallery,
• Artesian Time Tunnel and Museum),
• Cunnamulla Hospital,
• Cunnamulla Golf Club,
• Centenary Park,
• Cunnamulla Racecourse,
• Cunnamulla Showgrounds,
• John Kerr Park,
• Allan Tannock Weir and the Warrego River.

Included areas