The Shire of Quilpie is a local government area in South West Queensland, Australia. It covers an area of 67,415 square kilometres (26,029 sq mi), and its administrative centre is the town of Quilpie.

The dominant industry is grazing. Opal fields are also worked within the shire.

In the 2021 census, the Shire of Quilpie had a population of 698 people.

History

Margany (also known as Marganj, Mardigan, Marukanji, Maranganji) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Margany people. The Margany language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Quilpie Shire, taking in Quilpie, Cheepie and Beechal extending towards Eulo and Thargomindah, as well as the properties of Dynevor Downs and Ardoch.

The Shire was created on 17 July 1930 from parts of the Shires of Barcoo, Murweh and Paroo and part of the abolished Shire of Adavale and all of the abolished Shire of Bulloo. However, on 4 July 1931, the Shire of Bulloo was re-instated.

Chairmen and mayors

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (November 2017)

Chairmen

• 1930-1933 H. J. Pegler

Mayors

• 1997–2012: P. David Edwards
• 2012–present: Stuart Alexander Mackenzie

Towns and localities

The Shire of Quilpie includes the following settlements:

• Quilpie
• Adavale
• Cheepie
• Eromanga
• Toompine

Amenities

Quilpie Shire Council operates a public library at Quilpie.

Demographics

Year	Population	Notes
1933	1,965
1947	1,931
1954	2,387
1961	2,534
1966	2,051
1971	1,685
1976	1,440
1981	1,430
1986	1,490
1991	1,406
1996	1,402
2001 census	986
2006 census	986
2011 census	976
2016 census	813
2021 census	698

Notable people from Quilpie

• Vaughan Johnson, Queensland state politician
• Ewen Jones, Australian federal politician
• Professor Don Markwell, social scientist and educational leader
• Sandy McPhie, former Queensland state politician
• Justine Saunders, late Australian actor