🔍

Taroom

QLD 4420 • Queensland

885
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
1381.55 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteOutbackHistoricAgricultural
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About Taroom

Taroom is a small outback town in Queensland, situated on the Dawson River and the Leichhardt Highway in the Shire of Banana, approximately 465 kilometres north-west of Brisbane and 338 kilometres north-west of Toowoomba. With a population of 885 at the 2021 census, the town serves as a service centre for the surrounding vast grazing and agricultural district. The locality spans an extensive area of approximately 1,382 square kilometres, characteristic of the wide-open spaces of Queensland's outback and Western Downs region.

Taroom holds a significant place in Queensland's exploration history, as Prussian explorer Ludwig Leichhardt passed through the district in 1844, and the town celebrates this pioneering heritage. The Dawson River provides a scenic backdrop and recreational opportunities including fishing and camping, while Gilbert's Lookout offers sweeping views across the surrounding landscape. Taroom provides essential services including a primary school, medical centre, and local retail for the surrounding pastoral community, with the nearby Expedition National Park offering bushwalking and wildlife experiences for nature lovers.

Taroom falls under postcode 4420 and is governed by the Banana Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Maranoa, while state elections fall under the Callide electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4420
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Banana
Federal Electorate
Maranoa
State Electorate
Callide
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.38°, 149.55°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
1381.55 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4420

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4420 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$48,790
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$58,071

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4420; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach services — Roma and Toowoomba via Leichhardt Highway Approx 2.5 hr to Roma, 4+ hr to Toowoomba

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
465 km
By Train
No direct train service; no practical rail option from Taroom
By Car (Peak)
5 hr - 5 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hr 45 min - 5 hr 15 min

🛣️ Leichhardt Highway (A2) is the main route south; car is the primary transport mode in this remote region

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Remote outback town where a car is essential for all practical purposes beyond the small town centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
885
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
460.8 / 100k
2yr Down 46.3% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
210.7 / 100k
2yr Down 21.4% 10yr Up 241.0%
Non-FV assault
1,000.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 255.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
13.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
197.5 / 100k
2yr Down 57.3% 10yr Up 43.9%
View all offence categories for Banana →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Taroom known for? +

Taroom is known for its connection to explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who passed through the district in 1844, and for being a service centre for Queensland's Western Downs pastoral district. The town sits on the picturesque Dawson River and is a gateway to Expedition National Park.

How far is Taroom from Brisbane? +

Taroom is approximately 465 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, a drive of around 4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on road conditions and the route taken.

Does Taroom have public transport? +

Taroom has very limited public transport, with occasional regional coach services connecting it to Roma and other larger centres. There is no passenger rail service; a private vehicle is the primary means of transport in this remote area.

What is the population of Taroom? +

At the 2021 census, Taroom had a population of 885 residents, making it a small but important service hub for the surrounding outback Queensland pastoral region.

Is Taroom a good place to live? +

Taroom suits those who embrace remote outback living, a close-knit community, and wide-open natural landscapes. It offers a genuine rural lifestyle but requires self-sufficiency and willingness to travel for many goods and services not available locally.

What is the postcode for Taroom? +

The postcode for Taroom, Queensland is 4420.

Is Taroom a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Taroom is part of the Banana 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.