Betoota

Betoota, QLD, population 0.

The town where all the residents moved out.

From

http://www.be2ta.com

FRIENDS OF BETOOTA

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A fun site with affection for a South West Queensland Town

Betoota, population 0, is the "gateway from the east", being just over 700km from Charleville and approximately 167 Km from Birdsville in south western Queensland, Australia.

It is 70 metres above sea level with an annual rainfall of 200ml to 400ml.

In 1885, the Queensland Government decided to set up a customs post at Betoota collecting a toll for stock as they travelled the stock route. This practice continued until Federation in 1901.

Betoota was also once the site of a Cobb & Co. change station.

Except for surrounding cattle stations, Betoota stands alone in the middle of a vast gibber plain.

It was surveyed as a town in 1887 and quickly grew to three hotels, a police station, store and post office. The remaining hotel was built in the late 1880's and was a favourite resting and refuelling spot for visitors until it closed in October 1997.

The town boasts an impressive racetrack, which comes alive the third weekend in September each year as part of the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival and a dry weather airstrip makes it a pleasure for the enthusiast to attend the very successful race and gymkhana meetings.