Quilpie is the service centre for the shire, which covers 67,482 square kilometers. Quilpie has all the necessities and many of the luxuries both visitors and locals demand.  The name ‘Quilpie’ comes from the Aboriginal word for `stone curlew’: quilpeta or quilpeter. The stone curlew is a large ground-dwelling bird unique to Australia. Quilpie is well known for many species of birds that enjoy the shire’s wide outback spaces and life-giving waterholes. To celebrate its feathered fame, all but two of Quilpie’s streets are named after birds.

The railway line to southwest Queensland begins and ends in Quilpie. Up to 90,000 cattle and 20,000 bales of wool begin their journey here each year. To help make your stay in Quilpie even more enjoyable, make sure you visit local opal shops, hand-painted ceramics, home decor and gift shops, bakery and see the work of local artists all around town.

Education in Quilpie goes from prep to year ten. Quilpie has two schools, one state and one private. On the outback stations, many children do their school work via the School of the Air.  Quilpie’s library allows you to keep in touch with friends and family in airconditioned comfort. Send and receive your emails through the library’s internet facilities. Demand for the outback art being created in Quilpie has taken off faster than the talented artists can keep up with it.

Admire the murals and sculptures in the main street and then head to the Visitor Information Centre to find out about the local artists.