West into the Western Downs · Miles 4415
Shipping containers Miles
Where the Warrego meets the Leichhardt, an hour and a half west of Dalby and properly into the Western Downs. Grazing, cropping and gas country, and far enough out that having the part on the place instead of on order is worth real money.
On Miles properties they end up holding
From Miles we mostly hear about station and property storage a long way from the nearest supplier, workshop and fabrication gear, fuel and chemical in compliant units, and site accommodation storage for crews working the basin. A quick description of what's going inside usually settles both the length and the grade.
Buy the size up, because the freight is the same
Out this far the truck movement is a large share of what you're paying, and it costs roughly the same whether there's a 20ft on it or something bigger. That changes the maths. A 40ft delivered to Miles is very often better value per cubic metre than a 20ft, and people who buy the smaller one out here have a habit of ringing back within two years wanting another.
Same logic applies to timing. If there's any chance you'll want a second unit, ask about doing both on one run. It's a conversation that saves money and it costs you nothing to have it.
Dust, heat and long empty periods
Western Downs storage has a different enemy to the coast. It isn't salt or humidity, it's fine dust and heat, and the fact that a lot of these containers sit unopened for months at a time.
Dust gets in around door seals that have dried out, so grease the door gear and check the gaskets once a year — five minutes, and it's the difference between doors that open in a hurry and doors that don't. Heat is worse for what's inside than for the steel: anything with rubber, adhesive or a battery in it ages fast in a sealed box in a Western Downs summer. Vents at both ends make a bigger difference than people expect, and they cost very little to have fitted before delivery.
Miles gateways, grids and soil
Distance is the main variable out here, not access — once you're past Dalby the runs get long, so we combine deliveries where we can and the freight comes out better than people expect. On the ground it's the usual western pattern: property tracks that are excellent when dry and unreliable when not, grids of uncertain vintage, and the occasional creek crossing that decides the whole job. Tell us what the last few kilometres look like when you enquire and we'll plan the truck around it.
Rain or irrigation changes the answer on black soil, so we'll ask when the paddock last got wet before booking the truck. More in gates, grids and black soil.
Field notes for this
Questions from Miles
Do you deliver as far west as Miles?
Yes. Miles, Condamine, Wandoan and the country around them are on our western run. Because it's a long haul we'll often combine deliveries, so the freight is usually better than a one-off quote from further east. Ring (07) 4516 5999.
Is a 40ft better value than a 20ft out here?
Frequently, yes. The truck movement costs much the same either way, so the extra length is cheap by comparison. If you've got room for a sidelifter to work — around 30 metres — it's worth pricing both before you decide.
Miles guide prices
| Unit | Cargo-worthy used, from | New single-trip, from | Hire, from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft Containers | $4,350 | $6,400 | Ask |
| 20ft Containers | $2,200 | $3,300 | $27/wk |
| 40ft Containers | $2,600 | $5,500 | Ask |
Guide prices, ex GST. The delivered figure depends on which unit is on hand in the grade you want and how far the truck runs to your gate — ring (07) 4516 5999 for the actual number. We work out the truck to Miles when we price the unit, so you get one figure.
Next towns on the run
Cecil PlainsMillmerranGoondiwindiToowoombaDalbyWarwickEvery delivery area
Price a container to Miles
Pick the size, tell us about the gate and the ground, and we'll come back with a delivered figure.
- Size, or what has to fit inside
- Town or property name
- Gate width and the state of the ground, if you know them