Camooweal

Camooweal is a very small town in northwest Queensland, Australia. It is part of the City of Mount Isa and is located close to the Northern Territory border, along the Barkly Highway. Camooweal is about 190 kilometres (120 miles) northwest of Mount Isa and around 1,900 kilometres (1,180 miles) from Brisbane.

 Geography 
Camooweal is in the far northwest Outback, in a dry region with flat grasslands, red dirt, and low shrubs. The area is part of the Georgina River basin, and floods sometimes happen during the wet season.

It is often called the "Gateway to the Northern Territory", as it sits just 12 km from the border.

 Climate 
Camooweal has a hot semi-arid to arid climate.

Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C (104°F), while winters are warm during the day and cold at night, with lows near 5°C (41°F), most rain falls between November and March, and the rest of the year is mostly dry and sunny.

 Population 
As of the 2021 census, 191 people live in Camooweal. The population is small, but the town provides services for travelers, truckers, and nearby cattle stations.

 History 
Camooweal sits on the traditional lands of the Indjilandji people. European settlers arrived in the 1860s, and Camooweal grew as a stop for drovers, truckers, and stock routes.

 Economy 
The local economy is based on:
 Cattle grazing
 Road transport services
 Tourism, especially from people driving across Australia

 Transport 
Camooweal is a key stop for long-distance travel:
 Located on the Barkly Highway, connecting Mount Isa (QLD) and Tennant Creek (NT)
 Popular stop for truck drivers and caravanners
 Small airstrip used for emergency and service flights

 Tourism and Attractions 
Tourists stop in Camooweal to experience remote Outback culture and local history:
 Drover’s Camp Museum – celebrates the history of stockmen and cattle drives
 Camooweal Caves National Park – known for limestone caves and karst formations
 Bush camping, stargazing, and birdwatching in the surrounding countryside

 Facilities 
Camooweal has:
 A small school
 A clinic (remote health services)
 A roadhouse, fuel station, pub, and post office
 A community centre and police station

 Events 
The events in Camooweal are:
 Drover’s Camp Festival – held in August, celebrates Outback history, bush poetry, and the droving life