Boulia is located in far western outback Queensland at the junction of the Diamantina and Kennedy Development Roads, about 300 km south of Mount Isa and 370 km west of Winton. The Shire of Boulia shares a 320 km common border with the Northern Territory and its western boundary marks the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert. The shire encompasses over 61,000 square kms of some of Australia’s most stunning outback scenery. Boulia is linked to Alice Springs in Central Australia via the Donohue Highway, and is recognised as the capital of the Channel Country, which gives rise to the great rivers that flow south west to Lake Eyre in South Australia.
Boulia offers spectacular outback scenery with abundant native flora and fauna in a region rich in history with fossils, culture and a pioneering past. Over 100 million years ago, inland Queensland enjoyed a tropical climate and herds of dinosaurs roamed the region, and the Boulia area was part of Australia's inland sea. The local Stonehouse Museum features an extensive marine fossil display in addition to a rich array of historical artefacts from early european pioneers including machinery, saddlery and hospital instruments.
Burke and Wills were the first Europeans in the Boulia area, with the Burke River on which the town stands being named after Burke. Boulia was founded by shopkeeper Ernest Henry in 1876 at the site of the Bullu Bullu waterhole on the Burke River. Located midway between Windorah and Camooweal, Boulia was an important resting point on the stock route between the two. Boulia today is a centre of beef and wool production, with cattle generally grazed to the north and west and sheep grazed to the east.
Boulia is possibly best known as the home of the Min Min Light, a mysterious spectral light that appears, hovers, disappears and reappears with an eerie will of its own. Typically described as a hovering luminescent ball, the Min Min light has teased travellers for decades but has never approached close enough to be clearly examined. One of the first experiences with the Min Min Light occurred when a stockman witnessed its strange glow, about the size of a watermelon, shortly after the Min Min Hotel was destroyed by fire around 1912. Scientists are baffled to explain this phenomenon. The Boulia Shire Council created the Min Min Encounter Complex in order to preserve the history and myths surrounding the Min Min Light. The complex offers a 45-minute show incorporating the yarns and legends of outback characters who have seen the Min Min light.
Boulia's many attractions include a state of the art Sports and Aquatic Centre, fishing, sightseeing and birdwatching. Yellowbelly and redclaw can be found at Parapituri Waterhole, the Police Barracks Waterhole and also in the Burke River. The Boulia Camel Races are normally held on the third weekend of July.