🔍

Hail Creek

QLD 4742 • Queensland

179
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
892.45 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
Mining TownRuralRemote
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About Hail Creek

Hail Creek is a remote mining locality in the Isaac Region of Central Queensland, situated in the Bowen Basin approximately 120 kilometres south-west of Mackay and 85 kilometres inland near Nebo. With a population of around 179 people — predominantly male workers — the community exists almost entirely in support of the Hail Creek Open Cut coal mine, operated by Glencore. The mine holds coal reserves of around 970 million tonnes of coking coal, making it one of the largest in the world.

Life at Hail Creek revolves around the mine and its roster-based fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce. Amenities are limited to those needed to support mining operations, with workers typically housed in on-site accommodation. The surrounding landscape is rugged Bowen Basin terrain, characterised by dry eucalypt woodland and open cut mine infrastructure. Those who call Hail Creek home are drawn by above-average mining wages and a tight-knit workforce community, with recreation generally centred around the mine village facilities.

Hail Creek falls under postcode 4742 and is governed by the Isaac Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Capricornia, while state elections fall under the Mirani electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4742
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Isaac
Federal Electorate
Capricornia
State Electorate
Mirani
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-21.75°, 148.57°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
892.45 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4742

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4742 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$73,155
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$88,191

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4742; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Mackay

Distance
120 km
By Train
No passenger rail service to Hail Creek
By Car (Peak)
90-120 min to Mackay
By Car (Off-Peak)
90 min to Mackay

🛣️ FIFO workforce primarily flies via Mackay Airport; car essential for ground transport

Walkability Car-Dependent

Remote mining locality with no public footpaths or walkable amenities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
179
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Isaac Local Government Area, which contains Hail Creek. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
453.5 / 100k
2yr Up 37.4% 10yr Up 80.9%
Motor vehicle theft
265.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 119.8%
Non-FV assault
1,005.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 301.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.6 / 100k
2yr Up 97.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
350.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 45.3%
View all offence categories for Isaac →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hail Creek known for? +

Hail Creek is known for the Hail Creek Open Cut coal mine, operated by Glencore. It is one of Australia's largest coking coal mines, with reserves of approximately 970 million tonnes, exporting coal to steel mills across Asia and Europe.

How far is Hail Creek from Mackay? +

Hail Creek is approximately 120 kilometres south-west of Mackay in Central Queensland, within the Bowen Basin region.

What is the population of Hail Creek? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 179 people at Hail Creek, made up predominantly of mine workers, many of whom work on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) roster.

Is Hail Creek a FIFO mining community? +

Yes, Hail Creek operates primarily as a FIFO mining community. Workers fly in and out via Mackay Airport and are housed in on-site accommodation during their roster periods at the Glencore-operated open cut mine.

Is Hail Creek a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Hail Creek is part of the Isaac LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.