Prairie
QLD 4816 • Queensland
About Prairie
Prairie is a small outback township and locality in Queensland's Flinders Shire, positioned along the Flinders Highway between Torrens Creek to the north-east and Hughenden to the north-west. With a population of 116 residents according to the 2021 Census, it is one of the small service points along this iconic outback highway that connects Townsville on the coast to the remote west. The locality covers approximately 8,300 square kilometres of open Mitchell grass plains and savannah country typical of north-west Queensland. Prairie has a proud history as a former Cobb and Co coach depot, reflecting its long-standing role as a stopping point for travellers crossing the outback.
Life in Prairie is quintessentially outback Queensland — unhurried, community-focused, and shaped by the land and the highway that passes through it. The Prairie Hotel is the social heart of the town, providing food, accommodation, and fuel for travellers and locals alike, as it has for generations of outback travellers. The local Prairie State School caters for the children of the community through primary years. Cattle grazing and rural industries form the economic backbone of the area, with residents relying on Hughenden (around 65 km west) or Charters Towers for more comprehensive services. For those who love wide-open spaces and an authentic outback experience, Prairie delivers.
Prairie falls under postcode 4816 and is governed by the Flinders Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 4816
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4816, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4816; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Commute to Brisbane CBD
🛣️ Flinders Highway (A6) is the main road link; Hughenden is ~65 km west, Townsville ~330 km east
Tiny outback township; essential services are the hotel and school. A car or roadtrain is necessary for all other needs.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Cassia Court
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Flinders Highway
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161 Kennedy Creek Road
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School Road
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Creek Road
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Banfield Highway
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Gilmore Street
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Savage Street
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School Street
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Fred Williams Drive
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Woodstock Avenue
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest rates for the Flinders Local Government Area, which contains Prairie. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.