[3] A border customs post was established at Oontoo in 1886 on a 1 square mile (259 ha) piece of land resumed from Nappa Merrie cattle station.

[4] The post was created to collect taxes from drovers who crossed to Queensland border travelling down Strzelecki Creek.

[5] The first customs officer was Mr Ivory who arrived in 1886 and lived in a tent until a house was completed the following year.

[4] A shanty public house followed soon afterward with a more substantial stone hotel built by Thomas Costello in 1888.

[2] Severe flooding occurred in 1891 with Cooper Creek breaking its banks after 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain fell in the area in January.