Moonie, Queensland


Moonie is a rural town in the Western Downs Region and a locality split between the Western Downs Region and the Goondiwindi Region in Queensland, Australia. At the 2016 Census, Moonie had a population of 189.

Geography

The town is on the Darling Downs at the intersection of the Leichhardt and Moonie Highways, west of the state capital, Brisbane, and is the Official Oil Capital of Australia. The locality is split between the Western Downs Region and the Goondiwindi Region.
The Moonie Highway passes through the locality from the north-east to the south-west. The Leichhardt Highway passes through the locality from the north to the south. The town is at the intersection of the two highways.

History

The town's name is derived from Moonie River, which was first recorded as Mooni by Sir Thomas Mitchell in November 1846 when he passed through the region.
Moonie State School opened on 14 May 1962.
Moonie Post Office opened by June 1966 closed in 1983.
Moonie Library opened in 2003.

Economy

In December 1961 Moonie was the site of Australia's first commercial oil field, a very small field consisting of less than one percent of Australia's oil and gas reserves. The oil field is still operational and pumps out 35 kilolitres every day.
The region is also an agricultural area that produces grain, beef cattle and prime lambs.

Education

Moonie State School is a government co-educational primary school at 11305 Moonie Highway. In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 43 students with 4 teachers and 5 non-teaching staff.

Amenities

The town has a service station, the Moonie Sports Club, a pool and a motel.
Moonie Library is located on the Leichhardt Highway.