Quilpie Queensland

An outback township in far western Qld, that is an administrative centre for a shire which covers 67,482 sq. km.
Location: 980 km west of Brisbane; 208 km west of Charleville
Origin of name: the locality was was originally mistakenly named 'Quillpill' by Railways Department for its terminus of the Western Line. The town and station's name were changed to Quilpie in June 1917. Quilpie is reportedly an Aboriginal word indicating curlew, although its more correct pronunciation (from Warrego people resident at Taroom 1917) is probably 'Queechee'. The name was probably suggested originally by pastoralist James Hammond of Tenham Station.
Brief history: Quilpie came into existence in 1917 with the arrival of the railway through the area. The town was surveyed in 1915 by Surveyor G. Drane. Today, as then, it is a service centre for the local pastoralists.
Natural features: Opal Fossicking (Creek and Sheep Creek Station; Dueces Wild Opal Mine; Greek Mine); Baldy Top.
Built features: The Church Altar (Roman Catholic Church) made out of opal rocks; Toompine (77 km to the south), once a stopping point for Cobb & Co. and the centre of a thriving mining community; Eromanga (103 km west), one of the oldest opal mining areas in Queensland.
Heritage features: Brick Hotel; Ray Station (now a museum)