An entire town, home to only two residents, is now on the market for sale as the current inhabitants have made the decision to depart.
Tucked away in the remote Australian outback of Queensland lies Cooladdi, originally a bustling railway center with a population that once reached 270 individuals.
The decline in the local sheep industry and the cessation of train services to the area were cited as reasons for the town’s significant population decrease.
Situated 500 miles from Brisbane, Cooladdi is available for purchase at the price of $400,000 (£209,920), inclusive of the Foxtrap Roadhouse, town keys, and a four-bedroom residence.
Comparatively, the sum of £200k might secure only a one-bedroom flat in the outskirts of London, UK.
In contrast, the nearby town of Charleville, boasting a population of 3,000, commands an average house price of approximately $210,000 (£110,208). This cost stands in stark contrast to the average flat price in Sydney, currently hovering around $935,000 (£490,688).
Despite its small size, Cooladdi maintains its own post office and unique postcode of 4479.
The current inhabitants, Jo Cornel and Carol Yarrow, who have resided in Cooladdi since February 2023, have made the choice to relocate back to Brisbane. Jo seeks proximity to family, while Carol is nearing retirement.
Carol expressed to ABC, “I’ve just turned 70 and finding I’m getting a bit old for it. Let’s hope somebody else can get in and do the same thing.”
Although isolated, the duo noted a vibrant community of individuals who journey approximately 70km (43.496 miles) to Cooladdi.
Carol mentioned to the Guardian, “The food and the pub are probably one of the main jobs; we also do the mail runs as part of the post office. I’ve always found the best thing is the local community … the people within around 70km who come through the property.”
The sale of Cooladdi is being facilitated by local real estate agents Charleville Real Estate and Becky Jeisman. They emphasized that despite its size, the town offers a “great change of pace” for potential buyers, noting that if four individuals acquire it, the population would double.
