Betoota is located in the far south west of outback Queensland, about 1530 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane, 170 km east of Birdsville and 227 km west of Windorah. Situated on a gibber plain, Betoota has a seasonal population with the last permanent resident of the town dying in 2004. Betoota is located in the Diamantina Shire, which also includes the towns of Bedourie and Birdsville.
The last remaining building in Betoota is the Betoota Hotel, which was built in the late 1880s. The hotel operated until 1997 when owner Sigmund (Simon) Remienko retired at the age of 82 years. A Polish immigrant, Sigmund worked as a grader driver until buying the Betoota Hotel in 1957. Simon owned and operated the hotel for 47 years as Betoota's sole resident until finally being forced to move by ill health.