Tambo is a rural town and locality in the Blackall-Tambo Region, Queensland, Australia.
Tambo is a rural town and locality in the Blackall-Tambo Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Tambo had a population of 367 people. Cattle and tourism are the major industries of the town. A number of heritage buildings survive from the earliest days of settlement.
History
Indigenous
The area on which the town of Tambo now sits was home of many different Aboriginal groups including the Wadjaling, Wadjalad, Wadjabangai, and Pitjara.
19th century
The first European exploration of the district was by Sir Thomas Mitchell, popularly known as "Major Mitchell", in 1846.For approximately the next 15 years the area was unused until selectors began taking land in 1861.The town of Carrangarra was founded in 1863, making it the oldest town in western Queensland. Like much of the west, sheep became the mainstay of the economy. The settlement was renamed Tambo in 1868.
The name Tambo comes from an Indigenous Australian word, meaning hidden place, or "resting place, fish, shady waters, hidden waters, a secluded spot, hidden place and native yam."A branch of the Queensland National Bank was first established in 1875.Tambo State School opened on 28 February 1876.
20th century
Tambo was the location of Qantas' first fatal accident. An Airco DH.9 crashed on 24 March 1927 with the loss of three lives after the plane stalled while landing.
21st century
In the 2006 census, Tambo had a population of 345, a small decline from the 2001 census population of 357. Around 7% of the population of Tambo identity as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and around 6% were born outside Australia.Tambo was cut off for eight days during the 2010-2011 Queensland floods.
Weather
Temperatures in Tambo range from 35 °C in summer to 21 °C in winter. Minimum temperatures in winter often drop below freezing. The average annual rainfall is 535.7 mm (21.0 in), the majority of which falls between December and March.
Things to do