Comet

History

Originally called Cometville, the town takes its name from the Comet River, named by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who made observations of Comet Wilmot (C/1844 Y2) in the area on 29 December 1844. Comet Post Office opened on 5 September 1877. Cometville State School opened on 23 October 1877. In 1912, it was renamed Comet State School in 1912. On 19 March 1931, the town's name was changed from Cometville to Comet.

Geography

Comet is the oldest town in the Emerald area, established at the confluence of the Comet River with the Nogoa River. The town is located on the Capricorn Highway, north west of the state capital, Brisbane. The Central Western railway line enters the locality from the east (Blackwater / Stewarton), passes through the town, and exits to the west (Emerald). * Comet railway station, () * Leichhardt Tree () * Junction () Mount Crocker is a mountain () in the east of the locality, rising to above sea level. The area around Comet supports cotton and grain production as well as cattle, both grazing and in feedlots.

Most-observed species

• Torresian Crow

  Corvus orru Bonaparte, 1850 · Aves
  12
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  9
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  9
• Laughing Kookaburra

  Dacelo novaeguineae (Hermann, 1783) · Aves
  8
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

  Cacatua galerita (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  8
• Pied Butcherbird

  Cracticus nigrogularis (Gould, 1837) · Aves
  8
• Pale-headed Rosella

  Platycercus adscitus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  7
• Gray Fantail

  Rhipidura albiscapa Gould, 1840 · Aves
  7