Fossilbrook

Fossilbrook is a rural locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia.^[2] In the 2021 census, Fossilbrook had "no people or a very low population".^[1]

Fossilbrook Queensland
Fossilbrook landscape, 2013
Fossilbrook
Coordinates	17.8594°S 144.2569°E / -17.8594; 144.2569 (Fossilbrook (centre of locality))
Population	0 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	0.0000/km2 (0.0000/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4871
Area	473.2 km2 (182.7 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	51.1 km (32 mi) N of Mount Surprise 143 km (89 mi) ENE of Georgetown 261 km (162 mi) SW of Cairns 474 km (295 mi) NW of Townsville 1,786 km (1,110 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Mareeba
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal division(s)	Kennedy
Suburbs around Fossilbrook: Amber Amber Amber Abingdon Downs Fossilbrook Springfield Mount Surprise Mount Surprise Springfield

Geography

Fossilbrook has the following mountains (from north to south):

• Charlies Knob (17.7894°S 144.2984°E / -17.7894; 144.2984 (Charlies Knob)) 548 metres (1,798 ft)^[3][4]
• Ruby Hill (17.8495°S 144.3122°E / -17.8495; 144.3122 (Ruby Hill)) 542 metres (1,778 ft)^[3][5]
• Bally Knob (17.8948°S 144.3469°E / -17.8948; 144.3469 (Bally Knob)) 612 metres (2,008 ft)^[3][6]
• Bains Knob (17.9008°S 144.3899°E / -17.9008; 144.3899 (Bains Knob)) 587 metres (1,926 ft)^[3][7]

The Tablelands railway line passes through the eastern edge of the locality with the locality being served by Lyndbrook railway station (17.8356°S 144.4427°E / -17.8356; 144.4427 (Lyndbrook railway station)).^[8]

The land use is grazing on native vegetation.^[9]

History

On 26 June 1872, William Hann set out from Fossilbrook, an outstation of Mount Surprise Station owned by Ezra Firth, to lead an exploration into North Queensland, which discovered gold in the Palmer River. Hann and his team returned to Fossibrook on 27 October 1872.^[10]

Fossilbrook Provisional School opened in 1908. On 1 January 1909, it became Fossilbrook State School. It closed on 1926.^[11] It was on a 6-acre (2.4 ha) site within the town reserve (approx 17.8124°S 144.3919°E / -17.8124; 144.3919 (Fossilbrook State School (former))).^[12][13]

Fossilbrook was flooded in January 1927 following 15 inches (380 mm) of rain. Residents took refuge in the school building which was not flooded.^[14][15]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Fossilbrook had a population of 5 people.^[16]

In the 2021 census, Fossilbrook had "no people or a very low population".^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Fossilbrook. The nearest government primary school is Mount Surprise State School in neighbouring Mount Surprise to the south. There are no nearby secondary schools; the alternatives are distance education and boarding school.^[17]

Attractions

Savannahlander passing through Fossilbrook, 2013

The Savannahlander tourist train service passes briefly through the locality on the railway line.^[18]