Blackall is located on the Matlida Highway and is named after the second Governor of Queensland, Sir Samuel Blackall. This area was discovered in 1846 by Major Thomas Mitchell.

Though famous for many reasons, blade shearer Jackie Howe put Blackall on the map in 1892 at local station ‘Alice Downs’ when he set a world record by shearing 321 sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes with blade shears. It actually took another 58 years before anyone could match this feat and that was by machine shears.

Blackall was also the first town to start drilling an artesian bore, back in 1885. It is the home of the Black Stump which was used for surveying purposes and permanently marks the original Astro Station establishment in 1887. Anything west of this point is said to be ‘beyond the black stump’.

Another local legend says that if you pass the Barcoo River 10 times then you are here to stay! There are lots of other attractions to see whilst visiting Blackall, so please take the time to have a look around, meet the locals and absorb some of the local history. 

Take a look at Blackall's Timeline.

Blackall Timeline