| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| FONTAINE A** J** | Court 1 | 9:00AM |
Last updated: 12 Jun 2026, 8:35 pm. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Julia Creek Magistrates Court sits at 14 Burke Street in the heart of outback North West Queensland, serving one of the most sparsely populated judicial catchments in the state. Located in a town of just 549 residents recorded at the 2021 census, within the Shire of McKinlay, this small courthouse handles legal matters for a locality spanning more than 6,186 square kilometres along the Flinders Highway. Sitting roughly 258 kilometres east of Mount Isa and around 1,603 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, the court is a vital access-to-justice point for pastoralists, mining workers, transport operators, and residents across the remote Gulf and Overlanders Way corridor. This page helps you track matters listed before the court, confirm a sitting date, and understand how the local circuit operates.
About the Julia Creek Magistrates Court
Julia Creek operates as a circuit court administered by the Mount Isa Magistrates Court, the principal justice hub for North West Queensland. Rather than employing a resident magistrate, the court is served by a visiting magistrate who travels from Mount Isa to hear listed matters on scheduled sitting days. This circuit model is common across remote Queensland, where population density of just 0.09 people per square kilometre makes permanent court staffing at every location impractical. The Mount Isa registry received an additional magistrate appointment in 2024 to help manage the high combined caseload across its network of circuit locations.
The Mount Isa circuit administers sittings at Julia Creek alongside Birdsville, Boulia, Camooweal, Cloncurry, and Dajarra. For the 2026 calendar year, Julia Creek was scheduled to sit at 10:30am on a small number of nominated dates, reflecting the modest but steady volume of matters generated by the surrounding district. Because sitting days are infrequent and can be affected by weather, travel, and listing changes, checking the current daily law list before travelling to the courthouse is strongly recommended.
Court location and contact details
- Address: 14 Burke Street, Julia Creek QLD 4823 (PO Box 6)
- Phone: (07) 4746 7162
- Business hours: 9:00am to 12:30pm and 1:15pm to 4:00pm, Tuesday to Thursday
- Email: courthouse.juliacreek@justice.qld.gov.au
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access available
- Local government area: Shire of McKinlay
- Administering registry: Mount Isa Magistrates Court, (07) 4740 3000
Registry enquiries for Julia Creek circuit matters are generally directed to the Mount Isa Magistrates Court registry, which coordinates listings, files, and scheduling for the wider circuit. Parties should confirm counter hours before attending, as the Julia Creek registry operates limited days and hours compared with larger regional courthouses.
What the Julia Creek Magistrates Court hears
As a Magistrates Court, Julia Creek exercises the summary jurisdiction that forms the foundation of the Queensland court hierarchy. The Magistrates Court is where the overwhelming majority of criminal matters in the state begin and, in many cases, conclude. Matters are heard and decided by a magistrate sitting alone, without a jury. The court operates under the authority of the Magistrates Courts Act 1921 (Qld) and the Justices Act 1886 (Qld), with appeals lying to the District Court of Queensland.
The types of matters commonly dealt with at a circuit court like Julia Creek include:
- Summary criminal offences such as public nuisance, minor assaults, traffic offences, and property matters
- Committal proceedings for more serious indictable offences that will ultimately be heard in a higher court
- Traffic matters, including drink and drug driving, unlicensed driving, and speeding, which are common along the Flinders Highway freight route
- Bail applications and adjournments for defendants awaiting the resolution of their matters
- Domestic and family violence applications under the relevant Queensland protection legislation
- Minor civil disputes falling within the Magistrates Court monetary limits
Because Julia Creek sits within the Mount Isa circuit, many complex, contested, or serious matters that originate in the district are transferred to Mount Isa for hearing, where superior court sittings and additional court resources are available. Serious indictable matters that proceed beyond committal are dealt with by the District Court of Queensland, which manages civil disputes and serious criminal trials, or the Supreme Court of Queensland for the most grave offences.
Where Julia Creek fits in the Queensland court hierarchy
Queensland maintains one of the largest court networks in Australia, with the Magistrates Court operating from approximately 130 locations across the state. Julia Creek is one of the smallest of these, functioning as a circuit venue rather than a standalone registry. Above the Magistrates Court sits the District Court of Queensland, which operates from around 32 locations and hears serious indictable offences and civil claims up to $750,000 under the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld). At the apex is the Supreme Court of Queensland, which handles the most serious criminal trials and the largest civil disputes.
For residents of the McKinlay Shire and surrounding pastoral country, this hierarchy means that a matter may begin at Julia Creek, be committed or transferred to Mount Isa, and ultimately be finalised at a superior court sitting. Understanding this pathway helps parties anticipate where and when their matter will be heard. You can review neighbouring listings through the Mount Isa court list today, which serves as the administrative parent of the Julia Creek circuit.
Understanding the daily law list
The daily law list, sometimes called the court list or court listing, is the official schedule of matters set down to be heard on a particular court day. For a circuit court such as Julia Creek, the list is published for the nominated sitting dates rather than every weekday, since the court does not sit continuously. Each entry typically shows the party or defendant name, the matter type, the courtroom, and the scheduled time.
The Queensland Courts app, available on both Android and iOS, allows parties to check listings on the go and stay informed of any last-minute changes before travelling to the courthouse. Given the significant distances involved in the outback, with Cloncurry 138 kilometres away and Mount Isa a further 120 kilometres beyond that, confirming your matter is still listed before setting out can save a wasted journey of several hours.
How to prepare for a court appearance
- Confirm your sitting date. Julia Creek sits only on scheduled circuit days, so verify the exact date and time well in advance.
- Check the list on the day. Listings can move, be adjourned, or be transferred to Mount Isa, particularly for contested or lengthy matters.
- Arrive early. With a 10:30am scheduled start on circuit days, arriving beforehand allows time to speak with duty lawyers or prosecutors if available.
- Seek legal advice early. In criminal matters, obtaining advice before your first appearance places you in the strongest position, especially where a conviction may carry lasting consequences.
- Bring supporting documents. References, medical certificates, and any relevant paperwork should be organised in advance.
Julia Creek and its district
Julia Creek is an outback township on the Flinders Highway, part of the Overlanders Way linking Townsville with Mount Isa and the Northern Territory. The surrounding McKinlay Shire is grazing country, historically dependent on cattle and sheep, and the town is well known for its annual Dirt n Dust Festival and as habitat for the endangered Julia Creek dunnart. The locality experiences a hot, semi-arid climate, with a mean maximum temperature of 33.3 degrees Celsius and modest annual rainfall around 461 millimetres, conditions that can affect road access and, occasionally, court travel during the wet season.
The court's caseload reflects the character of the district. Traffic and transport-related matters feature prominently given the highway freight corridor, while the pastoral and mining economy of North West Queensland shapes the broader pattern of matters flowing through the Mount Isa circuit. For those following listings across the wider state network, the Queensland magistrates court listings hub provides an overview of how remote venues like Julia Creek connect to the larger system, and you can also review the Mount Isa Supreme and District Court for superior court matters affecting the region.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Julia Creek Magistrates Court located?
The court is located at 14 Burke Street, Julia Creek QLD 4823, in the Shire of McKinlay in North West Queensland. The venue has wheelchair access.
Does Julia Creek have a resident magistrate?
No. Julia Creek is a circuit court served by a visiting magistrate from the Mount Isa Magistrates Court, which administers listings and registry functions for the circuit.
How often does the Julia Creek court sit?
The court sits only on scheduled circuit dates rather than every weekday. For 2026, sittings were listed at 10:30am on a small number of nominated days. Always confirm the current calendar before attending.
Who do I contact about a Julia Creek court matter?
Registry enquiries for circuit matters are usually directed to the Mount Isa Magistrates Court registry on (07) 4740 3000. The Julia Creek courthouse itself can be reached on (07) 4746 7162.
What types of cases are heard at Julia Creek?
The court hears summary criminal offences, traffic matters, bail applications, domestic and family violence applications, committal proceedings, and minor civil disputes. Serious matters are typically transferred to Mount Isa or a higher court.
How can I check the Julia Creek court list?
Listings for scheduled sitting days can be viewed through the Queensland Courts app on Android and iOS, or through the daily law list for the Mount Isa circuit. Checking before travelling is strongly advised given the remote location.
