Aramac is a small town in Western Queensland, Australia, lying 68 kilometres north of Barcaldine, and 1280 kilometres by road from the state capital, Brisbane. It is situated on Aramac Creek, which flows into the Thomson River 60 km west of town. It is at 22º 36' South latitude and 144º 31' East longitude placing it about 60 miles (90 km) north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
Town population is 380 people. Aramac is the capital of Aramac Shire. The town lies on Aramac Creek. The predominant industry is grazing.
The town water for Aramac is supplied from two bores connecting into the Great Artesian Basin.
History
William Landsborough explored the area in 1859.
In the 1850's, pastoralist and future Premier of Queensland Robert Ramsey Mackenzie travelled through the area. He blazed a tree with the inscription 'R R Mac', which was later corrupted into the name of the town.
The town was originally called Marathon.
There was a massacre of 25 local Aborigines at the nearby Mailman's Gorge.
The town was initially a major outback town. However, the railway line ran through Barcaldine to the south, taking away the trade. In the early 1909 the local council built a spur line (tramway) from Barcaldine. The tramway operated until 1975.
The white bull in this statue was stolen by Henry 'Harry' Redford, otherwise known as Captain Starlight who duffed cattle from a property called Bowen Downs. The herd of cattle was driven overland to Adelaide where some of the thieves were caught and tried.
External links
- http://www.aramac.qld.gov.au/ Aramac Shire Council
- Australian Places - Aramac
Coordinates: 22°58′S 145°15′E
