Almaden, Queensland
Almaden is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, 41 people lived there. The town sits on the Mareeba–Chillagoe railway line, which runs between Mareeba and Mungana, and Almaden has a railway station. The Etheridge railway line branches off at Almaden toward Forsayth, with Ootann station in the southern part of the locality. The Burke Developmental Road passes through from east to north-west, and Ootann Road exits to the south.
The town is named after Almadén in Spain, known for its historic mercury mine. In Almaden, the local mineral deposits are tripolite (diatomite).
History and schools:
- Tate Tin Mines Provisional School opened in 1894, became Tate Tin Mines State School in 1909, closed in 1924, reopened in 1930, and closed permanently in 1940.
- Almaden Provisional School opened in 1906, became Almaden State School in 1909, and closed in 1997. It was located on Almaden Second Street and is now a tourist park.
- Ootann Provisional School opened in 1929 and closed around 1933.
Population trends: 2016 census had 71 people; 2021 census had 41 people.
Education: There are no current schools in Almaden. The nearest government primary school is Chillagoe State School in Chillagoe, and the nearest secondary school is Dimbulah State School (up to Year 10). For Year 12, options include distance education or boarding schools.
Transport: The Savannahlander passenger train stops in Almaden as an overnight service, operating twice weekly between Cairns and Forsayth.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 04:06 (CET).