Mount Macarthur

QLD 4723 • Queensland

31
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
207.08 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalRemoteMining

About Mount Macarthur

Mount Macarthur is a sparsely settled rural locality in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, situated approximately 25.6 kilometres north-east of Capella and 77.6 kilometres north of Emerald in the heart of the Bowen Basin coalfields. The locality covers 207 square kilometres of open eucalypt woodland and pastoral country and recorded a population of 31 at the 2021 census. The area sits within the Central Highlands, where extensive coal deposits underlie the pastoral landscape and have driven significant mining industry development in nearby towns including Capella and Dysart. The Gregory state electorate and Flynn federal electorate reflect the locality's position in Queensland's vast Central Queensland mining and grazing region.

Life in Mount Macarthur is defined by the rhythms of the Central Highlands' cattle industry and the broader mining services economy of the Bowen Basin. Capella (25.6 km south-west) provides basic services for the district, while Dysart — a dedicated mining services town approximately 35 kilometres to the south-east — offers additional facilities for Bowen Basin workers and families. Emerald (77.6 km south) is the regional centre with a full range of services, hospital, schools and an airport with connections to Brisbane and Mackay. The Central Highlands' open sky, expansive vistas and strong rural community culture characterise the area, appealing to those committed to a remote agricultural or mining support lifestyle.

Mount Macarthur falls under postcode 4723 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gregory electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
4723
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-22.89°, 148.21°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
207.08 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Emerald
78 km
Central Western Line – Spirit of the Outback service to Brisbane (~14 hrs); very infrequent

Commute to Brisbane

Distance
910 km
By Train
~15 hrs (drive ~78 km to Emerald, then Spirit of the Outback to Roma Street – 2x weekly)
By Bus
No regular service
By Car (Peak)
~10 hrs to Brisbane via Capricorn Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
~9 hrs 30 min

🛣️ Capella (~26 km SW) is the local service point. Emerald (~78 km south) is the regional centre with airport connections to Brisbane (~1.5 hrs flight). Daily commuting to any major city is entirely impractical; fly-in fly-out or local employment is the norm.

Walkability Car Dependent

Mount Macarthur is a remote pastoral locality with no local amenities. A private vehicle is essential for all travel. Roads may be unsealed and affected by seasonal weather.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
31
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Macarthur known for? +

Mount Macarthur is a remote pastoral locality in Queensland's Central Highlands, known for its vast cattle station country and proximity to the Bowen Basin coalfields. The area is characteristic of Queensland's inland mining and agricultural heartland.

How far is Mount Macarthur from Brisbane? +

Mount Macarthur is approximately 910 kilometres west-north-west of Brisbane, about a 9.5–10 hour drive via the Capricorn Highway. Capella (approximately 26 km south-west) is the local service point, while Emerald (78 km south) is the regional centre with an airport.

Does Mount Macarthur have public transport? +

Mount Macarthur has no public transport. Flying from Emerald Airport (78 km south) to Brisbane is the most practical transport for long-distance travel. The Spirit of the Outback train runs from Longreach/Emerald to Brisbane twice weekly for those who prefer rail.

What is the population of Mount Macarthur? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mount Macarthur has a population of approximately 31 residents, a very small pastoral community in one of Queensland's most remote regions.

Is Mount Macarthur a good place to live? +

Mount Macarthur suits those employed in cattle grazing or the nearby coalfields, offering a remote but self-sufficient rural lifestyle. Daily commuting to any major city is impractical; fly-in fly-out or local employment is the norm for those in the broader Central Highlands area.

What is the postcode for Mount Macarthur? +

The postcode for Mount Macarthur, QLD is 4723.