Central West Queensland

Central West Queensland Queensland
Regions of Queensland
Population	12,387 (2010)
• Density	0.0312290/km2 (0.080883/sq mi)
Area	396,650.2 km2 (153,147.5 sq mi)
LGA(s)	Shire of Barcoo, Shire of Diamantina, Shire of Boulia, Shire of Winton, Longreach Region, Blackall-Tambo Region, Barcaldine Region
State electorate(s)	Gregory, Mount Isa
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa, Kennedy

Central West Queensland is a remote region in the Australian state of Queensland which covers 396 650.2 km². The region lies to the north of South West Queensland and south of the Gulf Country.

Central West Queensland is serviced by the ABC Western Queensland radio station. It has a population of approximately 12,387 people.

The first exploration by Europeans was by Major Thomas Mitchell who passed through the area in 1846. Mitchell was near Isisford on the Barcoo River when his party was lacking supplies and threatened by Aboriginals. He then decided to return to Sydney, completing a successful expedition which had explored a large area of unknown country.

The eastern extent of the Simpson Desert lies within the region. Haddon Corner and Poeppel Corner on the Queensland border are also located here. Bioregions in the area include the Channel Country.

Part of the Cooper Basin is located in the region. The basin contains the most significant on-shore petroleum and natural gas deposits in Australia.

At the federal level the region partly falls in the Division of Maranoa and the Division of Kennedy. Local government areas included in the region are Shire of Barcoo, Shire of Diamantina, Shire of Boulia, Shire of Winton, Longreach Region, Blackall-Tambo Region and Barcaldine Region.