Cooladdi is the site of a once thriving railway town. Originally known as 'Yarronvale', the name changed to Cooladdi in 1913. The town serviced the rail line from Charleville to Quilpie. This line boasted the fastest steam train in Queensland, affectionately known, as the 'Flying Flea'. The train covered a distance of 86 kilometres in five hours and 40 minutes, sometimes reaching the lightning fast (for its time) 40 kilometres per hour!
The Cooladdi 'Black Duck' Heritage Trail, a self guided walk, is designed to take you through the history of Cooladdi. In its heyday, Cooladdi boasted 270 residents, a school, butcher shop, post office, railway and police station. Today all that remain are four residents, three buildings and the grave of a small child.
Why did they all leave? Once the rail connection ended, the people slowly drifted away. However the stories of the grit and determination the early settlers faced is a great story and one that should not be forgotten.
Please call into the Charleville Visitor Information Centre, Qantas Drive, Charleville, for your written guide and map.
