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Lawn Hill
Queensland
Lawn Hill Gorge
Lawn Hill is located in Queensland
Lawn Hill
Lawn Hill
Coordinates18°57′16″S 138°26′09″E / 18.9544°S 138.4358°E / -18.9544; 138.4358 (Lawn Hill (centre of locality))
Population63 (2021 census)
 • Density0.00431/km (0.01117/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4825
Area14,606.5 km (5,639.6 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)
State electorate(s)Traeger
Federal division(s)Kennedy
Suburbs around Lawn Hill:
Nicholson Doomadgee Nicholson
Northern Territory Lawn Hill Gregory
Northern Territory Camooweal Gunpowder

Lawn Hill is an outback locality split between the Shire of Burke and the City of Mount Isa in Queensland, Australia. The locality is on the Queensland border with the Northern Territory. In the 2021 census, Lawn Hill had a population of 63 people.

Geography

The locality is bounded to the west by the Northern Territory. Being over 14,606 square kilometres (5,639 sq mi), it has a variety of terrain.

Lawn Hill has the following ranges:

and mountains:

It also has plains:

Mended Hill is a neighbourhood (18°45′00″S 138°35′00″E / 18.75°S 138.5833°E / -18.75; 138.5833 (Mended Hill (neighbourhood))).

Pitchfork Camp is a neighbourhood (18°18′00″S 138°38′00″E / 18.3°S 138.6333°E / -18.3; 138.6333 (Pitchfork Camp (neighbourhood))).

A large part of the locality from the west through to the south is within the Boodjamulla National Park and the associated Lawn Hill Resources Reserves.

History

Waanyi (also known as Wanyi, Wanyee, Wanee, Waangyee, Wonyee, Garawa, and Wanji) is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Gulf Country. The language region includes the western parts of Lawn Hill Creek and Nicholson River, from about the boundary between the Northern Territory and Queensland, westwards towards Alexandria station, Doomadgee, and Nicholson River. It includes the local government area of the Aboriginal Shire of Doomadgee.

Yulluna (also known as Yalarnga, Yalarrnga, Jalanga, Jalannga, Wonganja, Gunggalida, and Jokula) is an Australian Aboriginal language. The Yulluna language region includes the local government boundaries of the Shire of Cloncurry and other areas near the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Smiths Range was named by explorer William Landsborough on 28 November 1861 during his expedition searching for Burke and Wills.

The locality is named after the Boodjamulla National Park, which was previously known as the Lawn Hill National Park, which was in turn named after Lawn Hill Station, a pastoral property.

Lawn Hill Gorge was previously part of Lawn Hill pastoral station. Lawn Hill National Park was established to protect the gorge in December 1984. The national park was expanded in March 1992 to include Riversleigh World Heritage Area (formerly part of Riversleigh pastoral station).

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Lawn Hill and surrounding localities recorded a population of 381 people.

In the 2016 census, Lawn Hill had a population of 19 people.

In the 2021 census, Lawn Hill had a population of 63 people.

Economy

There are a number of homesteads in the locality, including:

Amenities

Regular services by the Uniting Church in Australia are held at the campfire at Adels Grove. These are provided by the McKay Patrol, an aerial service of the Uniting Church in Australia that operates out of Cloncurry. Supported by other denominations, the McKay Patrol operates a Cessna 182Q aeroplane to provide spiritual and practical help to people living in remote areas in the north-west of Queensland and the eastern Tablelands of the Northern Territory, an area of approximately 625,000 square kilometres (241,000 sq mi) with a population of less than 10,000 people.

Attractions

Boodjamulla National Park is a popular attraction with spectacular gorges, sandstone ranges and fossils. Lawn Hill Creek has created Lawn Hill Gorge which is filled with freshwater from springs from the limestone plateau to the west. The gorge is an oasis of water and lush vegetation which attracts the wildlife and is surrounded by sandstone cliffs.

The Riversleigh World Heritage Area is within the south-east of the national park. It contains fossils from the late Oligocene period, dating back 25 million years. Its world heritage listing reflects that it is one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world, particularly for mammal fossils from Gondwana prior to its separation from other land masses. Fossils found there include crocodiles, lizards, turtles, pythons, fish, snails, and birds.

Indarri Falls Lookout is at 18°42′28″S 138°28′57″E / 18.7078°S 138.4825°E / -18.7078; 138.4825 (Indarri Falls Lookout).

See also