The Shire of Burke is in far north west Queensland, on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 400km north of Mount Isa. The Shire lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria and abuts the Northern Territory border. The Shire has a strong rural base and two townships, Gregory and Burketown. There is a resident population of around 550 people. Communities are diverse, with significant indigenous populations. With the Shire boundaries lies the Boodjamulla National Park, formerly known as the Lawn Hill National Park, and the World Heritage Site Riversleigh fossil fields. Both offer world class tourist experiences, as does the Savannah Way, connection Cairns, Queensland to Broome in Western Australia via Burke Shire. From the months of August to November, a rare meteorological phenomenon known as ‘Morning Glory, long, tubular clouds, some up to 1000 km in length, can be observed in the skies above Burke Shire. Burke Shire is also home to world class Barramundi fishing, an abundance of bird life and well fed crocodiles. Burke Shire experiences warm to hot weather conditions year round, with two distinct seasons, the ‘dry season’ starts around May and extend towards the end of November. The ‘wet season’, including increased humidity and flooding starts in December and can continue until April. Burketown
Burketown is the larger township in Burke Shire, with around 170 residents. About a five hour drive from Mount Isa, the town is located on the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the Albert River, about 40km south of the coast. Burketown is located 2115km to the north west of Brisbane. Burketown has a primary school (Prep to Year 7), a kindergarten, children’s play areas, parks, a six pool aquatic facility, an outdoor multi sports facility (tennis and basketball), a police station, post office, service station, one small general store, a take-away food outlet, caravan park, clinic with Royal Flying Doctor services, lodge and cabin accommodation and a hotel. There is also a Shire Hall, rodeo arena and sports ground. There is Next G mobile phone coverage and broadband internet services. The town has an off grid electricity generation facility. Please note there is no private rental accommodation available and real estate sales are rare and handled through Mt Isa offices. There is road access to Mount Isa and Cloncurry outside of wet season closures. There is an all weather airport, with regular scheduled weekly services to Mount Isa and Cairns. Gregory
Gregory is a small town located near the Gregory River, about 90 minutes drive south of Burketown. The town has a population of around 50 people. There is a hotel with accommodation and meals. Additionally there is a children’s play ground, tennis courts, community hall, racetrack and airstrip. Lifestyle and Remote Living
Burke Shire is considered a remote living environment. Given seasonal influences (the wet season) the townships and properties can experience extended periods of isolation, including road access. Burketown has grocery supplies provided through two small outlets, but it is common practice for residents to phone orders into grocery stores in Mount Isa or Cloncurry. These ‘country orders’ are then delivered for a fee by the mail service or other transport providers. Most roads in the townships are sealed and some have curb and channel (gutters). Burketown itself is very flat and less than a metre above sea level. Positive aspects of living in Burke Shire also include access to great fishing spots, the ability to ‘pop home for lunch’ during the working day, long stretches of flat roadways for bike riding, plenty of places for horse or off road motor bike riding, social sporting fixtures, uncrowded public pools (six in the complex), off the beaten track camping areas and a safe environment for young children to experience a real Australian outback childhood, complete with wallabies hopping down the streets and frogs crocking in the yard.
