Goowarra, Queensland

Goowarra is a rural locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia.^[2] In the 2021 census, Goowarra had a population of 27 people.^[1]

Goowarra Queensland
Sign at Goowarra, 2017
Goowarra
Coordinates	23.5472°S 149.4880°E / -23.5472; 149.4880 (Goowarra (centre of locality))
Population	27 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	0.0654/km2 (0.1694/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4702
Area	412.9 km2 (159.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	8.3 km (5 mi) E of Dingo 56.4 km (35 mi) E of Blackwater 131 km (81 mi) E of Emerald 140 km (87 mi) WSW of Rockhampton 743 km (462 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Central Highlands Region
State electorate(s)	Gregory
Federal division(s)	Flynn
Suburbs around Goowarra: Mackenzie Balcomba Balcomba Dingo Goowarra Duaringa Dingo Wallaroo Wallaroo

Geography

The Capricorn Highway passes through the locality from the south-east (Wallaroo) to the south-west (Dingo). The Central Western railway line also passes through the locality to the immediate north of the highway, with the locality being served once being served by the now-abandoned Goowarra railway station (23.6598°S 149.4105°E / -23.6598; 149.4105).^[3][4]

The predominant land use is grazing on native vegetation.^[3]

History

Bridgewater Creek bridge on the Capricorn Highway at Goowarra, 2017

Bridgewater Provisional School opened in 1900. In 1901, it was renamed Goowarra Provisional School. On 1 January 1909, it became Goowarra State School. It had a number of temporary closures due to low student numbers before closing permanently in 1924.^[5]

Mourindilla Provisional School opened in 1921 but closed circa 1924.^[6] Mourindilla is a pastoral property in the north of the locality (23.4065°S 149.5132°E / -23.4065; 149.5132 (Mourindilla pastoral property)).

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Goowarra had a population of 19 people.^[7]

In the 2021 census, Goowarra had a population of 27 people.^[1]

Education

There are no schools in Goowarra. The nearest government primary school is Dingo State School in neighbouring Dingo to the west. The nearest government secondary school is Blackwater State High School in Blackwater to the west.^[3]