Saltern Creek is a former rural locality in the Barcaldine Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Saltern Creek had a population of 12 people.

On 22 November 2019 the Queensland Government decided to amalgamate the localities in the Barcaldine Region, resulting in five expanded localities based on the larger towns: Alpha, Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho and Muttaburra. Saltern Creek was incorporated into Barcaldine.

Geography

The watercourse Saltern Creek (after which the locality is presumably named) flows through the locality from south-east (Ingberry) to south-west (Tara Station).

The principal land use is grazing on native vegetation.

History

On 23 March 1888, an artesian bore successfully struck a supply of fresh water at 950 feet (290 m), flowing at a rate of 509 imperial gallons (2,310 L; 611 US gal) per hour. On 17 September 1889 the No 2 bore was successful, finding fresh water at 1,500 feet (460 m) which flowed at a rate of 250,000 imperial gallons (1,100,000 L; 300,000 US gal) per day, that is, 10,416 imperial gallons (47,350 L; 12,509 US gal) per hour, "completely eclipsing" the first bore. On 31 May 1890, No 3 bore struck fresh water at 1,970 feet (600 m) flowing at 690,000 imperial gallons (3,100,000 L; 830,000 US gal) per day at a temperature of 160 °F (71 °C).

Education

There are no schools in Saltern Creek. The nearest primary and secondary schools are in Barcaldine.