Made famous by a pair of emus that stormed the local pub two years ago, the Western Queensland town of Yaraka has been given its own unique address for the first time.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart last week announced that Yaraka, 220km south of Longreach, had been officially removed from its previous locality of Isisford.
Mr Stewart said creating the new locality would likely improve postal and emergency services for Yaraka and prevent confusion with the nearby town of Isisford.
"This is a win-win solution for the residents of Yaraka, and for the emergency services when they need to get to an address in a hurry," Mr Stewart said.
He said as part of the government's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, they wanted to see more Queenslanders get out and see more of the state.
"Yaraka has a long and colourful history and is the perfect place for Queenslanders to visit on their outback road trip," Mr Stewart said.
"The community of Yaraka were unanimous in their support for the new locality, which will strengthen the town's identity and help the community survive into the future."
The town has an official population of 15 residents and is home to a number of historic attractions including Magee's Shanty, immortalised in Banjo Paterson's Bush Christening, along with the ruins of the famous Cobb and Co pub.
In 2017 Yaraka, named after the Indigenous word for white spear grass, celebrated its centenary, with the town established when the railway line from Emmet to Yaraka was opened in 1917.
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Brandon Long
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
