[1] McKinlay is in the Gulf Country in the remote north-west of Queensland, 1,595 kilometres (991 mi) north west of the state capital Brisbane and 228 kilometres (142 mi) south east of the regional centre of Mount Isa.

The Landsborough Highway enters the locality from the east (Kynuna), passes through the town along Kirby Street, and exits to the north-west (Kuridala / Cloncurry).

[5][10] The offices of the Shire of McKinlay were located in the town until 1930 when they were relocated to Julia Creek.

[7] St Mary the Virgin's Anglican Church was officially opened and dedicated by Bishop John Feetham on Sunday 8 August 1937.

[20] The McKinlay branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 22 Middleton Street.

These are provided by the McKay Patrol, an aerial service of the Uniting Church in Australia that operates out of Cloncurry.

Supported by other denominations, the McKay Patrol operates a Cessna 182Q aeroplane to provide spiritual and practical help to people living in remote areas in the north-west of Queensland and the eastern Tablelands of the Northern Territory, an area of approximately 625,000 square kilometres (241,000 sq mi) with a population of less than 10,000 people.

[6] The pub operates from the former McKinlay Shire Hall It has become a major tourism draw for the town and, when put up for sale in 2010, attracted worldwide interest.