<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/08/tiny-queensland-town-cooladdi-on-the-market-new-owner>
"In the heart of outback Queensland, more than 800km west of Brisbane, sits a
town with its own postcode and exactly two residents. Now, the entire
population of Cooladdi is packing up – and the town is officially on the
market.
For $400,000, buyers will get the Foxtrap Roadhouse, a four-bedroom home, and
the keys to the town. It’s a far cry from the $935,000 median price for a
cramped Sydney unit.
Cooladdi – whose name reportedly stems from a local Indigenous word for “black
duck” – is one of Australia’s smallest towns. Its official status is anchored
by the local post office, which operates out of the roadhouse. Because of this,
Cooladdi retains its own postcode: 4479.
The town’s two residents, Carol Yarrow and Jo Cornel, took over the roadhouse
in February 2023. They had a three-year plan to bring the quiet stopover back
to life. Now, that time is almost up.
With retirement looming for Yarrow, and Cornel seeking a return to Brisbane to
be closer to family, they are ready to hand over the reins.
The new owners will wear many hats. Running Cooladdi means serving as the
postie, the publican, the cook and the shopkeeper.
“The food and the pub are probably one of the main jobs; we also do the mail
runs as part of the post office,” says Yarrow, who grew up on a station between
Quilpie and Windorah. No stranger to remote hospitality, she has spent years
running motels and hotels.
Even though it’s hard work, she says it’s a rewarding gig: “I’ve always found
the best thing is the local community … the people within around 70km who come
through the property.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
