Australia's smallest town Cooladdi, population two, is up for sale with roadhouse and post office
Consensus Summary
Australia’s smallest town, Cooladdi in outback Queensland, is up for sale for $400,000, including a roadhouse, post office, and four-bedroom home. The town’s two residents, Carol Yarrow and Jo Cornel, are selling after three years of operation, with Yarrow retiring and Cornel relocating. Cooladdi retains its official status due to its operational post office and postcode 4479, despite its population of just two. The new owner will take on multiple roles, including postie, publican, and shopkeeper, as the town serves as a vital hub for travellers and locals. Originally a bustling railway stop with 270 residents, Cooladdi’s population declined after the railway and school closed in 1974. The sale is managed by Charleville Real Estate, and the town’s unique lifestyle appeals to those seeking a change from city life.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Cooladdi is a town in outback Queensland with a population of exactly two residents (Carol Yarrow and Jo Cornel).
- The entire town, including the Foxtrap Roadhouse (four-bedroom home), post office, and pub, is listed for sale at $400,000.
- Cooladdi retains its own postcode: 4479, due to the operational post office within the roadhouse.
- The town’s two residents, Carol Yarrow (70) and Jo Cornel, are selling after three years of operation, with Yarrow retiring and Cornel relocating closer to family.
- Cooladdi’s population peaked at roughly 270 in the 20th century before declining after the railway station and school closed (school closed in 1974).
- The Foxtrap Roadhouse serves as a hub for travellers, graziers, and locals, offering food, accommodation, and mail services.
- Cooladdi is located over 800km west of Brisbane and is an hour’s drive from Charleville, the nearest major town (population ~3,000).
- The new owner(s) will inherit multiple roles: postie, publican, cook, shopkeeper, and motelier.
- The town’s sale is managed by Becky Jeisman from Charleville Real Estate.
- Cooladdi lies within the Murweh Shire Council.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Murweh Shire Mayor Shaun 'Zoro' Radnedge called Cooladdi 'unlike any other town in Australia' and offered to support the new owner as 'unofficial mayor'.
- The annual equestrian and motorbike gymkhana was relaunched last year in Cooladdi.
- The ABC article includes direct quotes from Carol Yarrow emphasizing the social aspect: 'We sit around and have chinwags with all the locals on a Friday night.'
- The article notes Cooladdi is a nine-hour drive west of Brisbane.
- The name 'Cooladdi' reportedly stems from a local Indigenous word for 'black duck'.
- The median house price in Charleville is about $210,000, compared to Cooladdi’s $400,000 asking price.
- Carol Yarrow grew up on a station between Quilpie and Windorah and has experience running motels and hotels.
- The article highlights that the town’s population is calculated based on the number of people owning the Foxtrap Roadhouse, meaning a group purchase could double the population.
- The Guardian includes a specific detail about the town’s history: Beryl and Bob Fox built the Foxtrap Roadhouse around the time the school closed.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Cooladdi is 'more than 800km west of Brisbane,' while the ABC says it is a 'nine-hour drive west of Brisbane' (no explicit distance given).
Source Articles
The tiny Queensland town of Cooladdi, population two, has a pub and a post office. It could be yours for $400,000
The new owner will serve as the Australian town’s postie, publican, cook and shopkeeper In the heart of outback Queensland, more than 800km west of Brisbane, sits a town with its own postcode and exac...
Smallest town in Australia for sale as two residents decide to sell roadhouse
Cooladdi, nine hours west of Brisbane, dwindled in population when its railway station closed, but it continues to attract road-trippers and graziers. Its owners run local services including a shop, m...