Opalton is a rural locality in the Shire of Winton, Queensland, Australia.[2] It is known for the Opalton Opal Field, one of the largest and most extensively worked opal deposits in Queensland.[3] In the 2021 census, Opalton had a population of 59 people.[1]

Opalton
Queensland
Opalton is located in Queensland
Opalton
Opalton
Coordinates23°14′51″S 142°46′15″E / 23.2474°S 142.77095°E / -23.2474; 142.77095 (Opalton (centre of locality))
Population59 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.003484/km2 (0.00902/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4735
Area16,932.3 km2 (6,537.6 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)Shire of Winton
State electorate(s)Gregory
Federal division(s)Maranoa
Suburbs around Opalton:
Middleton Middleton Corfield
Winton
Middleton Opalton Longreach
Diamantina Lakes Stonehenge Longreach

Geography

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There are two protected areas within the locality:[4]

Apart from the protected areas, the land use is grazing on native vegetation.[4]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, Opalton had a population of 64 people.[5]

In the 2021 census, Opalton had a population of 59 people.[1]

Attractions

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Lark Quarry Conservation Park is at the end of Lark Quarry Access Road (23°00′55″S 142°24′40″E / 23.0154°S 142.4110°E / -23.0154; 142.4110 (tourist attraction)).[6] It has the world’s only known dinosaur stampede site.[7]

Scrammy Lookout is in Bladensburg National Park (22°33′19″S 143°08′15″E / 22.5554°S 143.1374°E / -22.5554; 143.1374 (Scrammy Lookout)).[6][8]

The Opalton Opal Field is popular with tourists as a place for fossicking.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Opalton (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ "Opalton – locality in Shire of Winton (entry 41495)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Western opal fields - Opalton". Queensland Government. 1 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  5. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Opalton (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  6. ^ a b "Tourist points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Lark Quarry Conservation Park". Parks and forests. Queensland Government. 21 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Things to do: Bladensburg National Park". Parks and forests. Queensland Government. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.