Cooladdi is a ghost town in southwest Outback Queensland. Once a busy rail town with 270 people, today all that remain are three residents, three buildings and the grave of a small child.

Understand

Renamed in 1913 from its original name of Yarronvale, Cooladdi predates the 'Flying Flea' steam train from Charleville to Quilpie. In its heyday as a major rail centre, Cooladdi boasted a school, butcher shop, post office, store and police station accommodating 270 residents. The railway bypassed the town in 1914, starting a long decline. A Cooladdi State School which opened in 1970 was abandoned in 1974.

Now the smallest town in Australia, Cooladdi has its own motel, (disused) train station, self-rated four-star restaurant, pub and general store, which is also the home of the three residents of the town.

Get in

Access is by road only, from Charleville — approximately ninety minutes away.

See

• Cooladdi rail station. No longer in service, but the building and rails are still standing. 

Do

• Cooladdi Heritage Trail. A walking tour of the city. A written guide and map are available at the Charleville Visitor Information Centre, Qantas Drive, Charleville. 

Eat

• Foxtrap Cooladdi Road House. The only restaurant, run by the same residents who run the roadhouse. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• Fox Trap Cooladdi Roadhouse, Diamantina Development Highway, Cooladdi 4479, ☏ +61 7 4654-0347, +61 7 4654-0167. Motel with bar and restaurant, grocery and post office. 

Connect

• Cooladdi has its own post code, 4479, with a small post office in the Fox Trap motel. It is the smallest point in Australia with a post office.

Go next

• Charleville
• Lake Dartmounth
• Cunnamulla
• Quilberry Creek