Exploring the Western Country of Queensland
Stretching from the well-known border town of Goondiwindi in the south to Carnarvon Gorge in the north, from Dalby in the east to St George in the west, the Western Country of Queensland has room enough for everyone to roam and explore.
This exciting region starts only a three hour drive from the state’s capital Brisbane and can be accessed from a number of major touring routes. The team at OTR together with the good folk from Southern Queensland Country Tourism offers a look at just some of the many top attractions that can be found in this the Western Country of Queensland.
GOONDIWINDI
There’s a host of things to see and do in and around the border town of GOONDIWINDI, from morning coffees through to a quiet afternoon on the banks of the Macintyre River.
A stroll down toward the original Border Bridge brings us to the CUSTOMS HOUSE museum, a small timber building once the focus for the district’s interstate trade between Queenslander’s and New South Welshmen, now host to a collection of heritage pieces.
Nearby is the GUNSYND STATUE in Apex Park, alongside the river and just off the Mungindi Road. The famed Goondiwindi Grey was bought for $1300 and earned much more over a stellar 29 wins, six seconds and eight thirds from 54 starts across the country’s racecourses in the early 1970s.
For local history of the horse and the syndicate contact Gordon Fleming or John Klein at Victoria Hotel (07) 4671 1007.
To head back to the main part of town, take the River Walk alongside the Macintyre River. This is the place for quiet reflections, maybe a little exercise, or perhaps a spot of bird watching among big and beautiful gum trees. Keep your eye out for wrens, spotted bowerbirds, plum-headed finches, grey-crowned babblers and freckled ducks and great eagles and you may even glimpse the rare Regent Honey Eater. Goondiwindi Regional Council is a region that’s rich in bird life with around 200 species identified. Combine this with glorious summer sunsets and crisp misty winter mornings and you have a naturalist’s paradise. Pick up the “Bird Watching in the Goondiwindi Region” brochure, along with a comprehensive species list at the Goondiwindi Visitor Information Centre.
After a big walk, stop in at the very royal, very striking VICTORIA HOTEL for a cold beer, lunch or dinner. There’s also a “Beer and Bullshit” tour to discover more about the restored establishment saved from demolition in late 2006, its former glories and ghosts plus the Goondiwindi Grey’s race records.
Other tours around include GOONDIWINDI COTTON AND TOWN TOURS, taking in a cotton farm, cotton gin and a visit to the Heritage Water Park. Goondiwindi Cotton is one of the town’s many success yarns, a family-owned and operated fashion business since 1991. For the story of cotton in Queensland/the farm tours/ Goondiwindi Cotton history contact Sam Coulton 0428 755381.
ST GEORGE
ST GEORGE is a busy little town of many hats, most of them well-worn and worn well.
Don’t miss a walk in the RIVERSIDE PARKLAND, almost two delightful and manicured kilometres alongside the Balonne River. It’s the place for bird watching.
Take one of two self-drive trails. Delve into the area’s pioneering past on the 45-minute St George Heritage Trail, or learn about the local cotton industry on the Cotton Trail. Pick up the self-drive trail brochures from the Balonne Shire Visitor Information Centre.
Or maybe duck back later in the afternoon to use one of the BBQs, let the kids roam in the playground and have a drop of wine from RIVERSANDS VINEYARDS, home to a range of whites and fine reds plus a tawny port, sold in pottery boots of outback characters.
For Riversands history/ visitors/ and which wines/boots to come contact David Blacket (07) 4625 3643.
The Balonne River runs through St George, and makes this corner of the state an ideal spot for fishing and there’s plenty to catch here. Species include Murray Cod, Yellowbelly, Golden Perch and Silver Perch. St George is also home to the annual Family Fishing Competition. A popular spot to fish along the river is at the Kapunda Fishing Park which has powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites.
For more information visit http://www.caravancaravan.com.au/entity/kapunda-fishing-park/qld
Boatman Brett Schweikert offers the option of a SANDYTOWN RIVER CRUISE on the Balonne. There are one to three-hour cruises through the day, a full moon evening cruise, nature tours, fishing charters or just a party cruise with mates.
For more details contact Brett Schweikert 0400 219379.
And while there are murals and memorials to be discovered around the town, a trip to St George must include a visit to Stavros Margaritis’ UNIQUE EGG, the world’s only collection of carved emu eggs. It’s right in the middle of town, out the back of the Balonne Sports Store, past the rods and rifles, and a true treasure trove of outback art.
For more detail about an amazing life from Greece to here contact Stavros at Balonne Sports Store (07) 4625 3490 or (son-in-law) Dave Purcell on 0428 251 998.
Nindigully Pub
First, a disclaimer. The Nindigully Pub also claims to hold the longest continuous liquor licence in Queensland. Our suggestion, check out both of these hotels, and you decide. It could make for some interesting debate over at the Nindigully, not far from St George. This single-storey typical country pub dating back to 1864, also offers accommodation, and even Burnsie who owns the place reckon he’s felt a ghost in the front room, but that shouldn’t stop you from going to this watering hole.
For more information visit http://nindigully.com/
ROMA
ROMA is both a gateway to the west and a living showcase for southern Queensland country.
To understand the importance of the gas and oil industry to this town and district, visit the Big Rig Museum and stroll through the Oil Patch display, an excellent source for school projects and research . The Roma Information Centre is also housed here. It’s a tad difficult around this town to miss Roma’s famous bottle trees and the Avenue of Heroes dedicated to fallen soldiers. Nurseries, and sometimes roadside stands, will have young bottle trees for around $10, a living souvenir.
St Paul’s Anglican Church on Bungil Street has more than 39 glorious stained glass windows, dating back to 1876, and a working organ with 567 pipes, the only one in western Queensland. It is an impressive, yet charming, church.
For more information contact Alan Faulkner (07) 462 22790 who is an erudite guide.
Just as impressive is the Roma Saleyards, a sprawling complex of pens for Australia’s largest cattle-selling centre. There’s action and characters galore here every Tuesday and Thursday from 8am.
For extended tales about the sales, try manager Terry Hyland (07) 4624 0404 or an auctioneer such as Brad Nevin at Watkins & Co.
And to better understand white man’s history in Roma and district, make an appointment to visit Mount Abundance Homestead on the Warrego Highway just west of town. It is a testament to the faith of the early settlers in the district.
For the history of the homestead or to take a tour phone 0428 223183 or (07) 4622 3183.
Western Downs
(Dalby, Chinchilla , Miles, Glenmorgan)
Cattle Country – For the locals it’s strictly business, but for visitors it’s some of the best theatre in the west. Head out early to the Dalby Saleyards every Wednesday morning and witness Australia’s second largest cattle sales. It’s fast, it’s fun, it’s furious and there’s plenty of testosterone in and out of the yards as mostly men haggle at auction for some of the country’s best beasts. Around 200,000 head of cattle are sold through these yards every year. And best of all, it’s free to visit. If you want to blend in, an Akubra hat is a must. Yumborra Road, Dalby.
A Blast from the Past and Back to the Future – Paying homage to Dalby’s rich roots as agricultural country, the Dalby Pioneer Park Museum boasts one of the largest collections of operating tractors and agricultural machinery in Queensland to have any grease monkey salivating. Interestingly, the site is also home to the twice-weekly Men’s Shed concept, which invites men in the region to bond over a variety of activities and projects such as wood and metal work. And the Dalby Family History Society also operates from these premises.
Return To Eden: A friendly sheep is most likely to be the first welcome you encounter as you pull up to the imposing property that is Jimbour House. Upon arrival, visitors are invited to donate $3 in return for a map of the property and its 15 structures around which they can wander at leisure on a “living history” tour. While the grand home, built between 1875 and 1877 is the show stopper here, it would be remiss not to mention another feature not on the tourist map. For those old enough to remember, back in 1983 the Australian mini-series Return To Eden was filmed on the property, which still houses the swimming pool made famous in this successful television show. Jimbour also produces some fine wine on its 22ha vineyard.
The Miles Historical Village is rated as one of the top 6 regional museums in Australia and it’s easy to see why. Constantly evolving with new memorabilia and artifacts, Miles Historical Village is more than 40 years old, and boasts 30 furnished historical buildings and more than 4,000 collectable rocks alone among a plethora of fascinating finds. Phone: 07 4627 1492
On the Warrego Highway after leaving Dalby and just before you approach Chinchilla as you head west, take a pause at the Brigalow General Store. Not only is this one of those quintessential Queensland corner stores which harks back to the 70s, replete with its rainbow-coloured plastic ribbon curtains, but it boasts some of the best burgers in the west. These gluten-free feasts are made with local beef and are said to be gob stoppers in this small town, well known around the region for its succulent pork. 2 Campbell Street, Brigalow.
Myall Park Botanic Garden, Glenmorgan – Founded in the 1940s, the gardens feature a large collection of native plants and with all the rain last year, the park is looking great!
www.myallparkbotanicgarden.org.au
Monty’s Garage, Glenmorgan – Monty’s Garage is a classic 1940s style auto garage which is now a working Vintage Car Museum with a large collection of restored vintage cars and auto memorabilia. PH: 0418 786 850
Chinchilla Weir – Visit the Chinchilla Weir – not only is it a terrific fishing spot, but it’s also a great place to relax and soak up the serenity. Here’s a tip: plan your visit for sunset and sit back and watch as the sky fills with pink and purple hues.
Fossicking in Chinchilla – Chinchilla is known for its red petrified wood. Fossicking sites are located on the outskirts of town, so if you fancy a fossick stop by the Chinchilla Tourist Information Centre for a license and directions.
Possum Park, Miles – A historic experience waits outside the town at Possum Park where you can sleep in historic underground bunkers and restored troop carriers. Stay in a unit built in an old war bunker, or restored troop train.
Events 2015
- June
June 6-8, 2015
Planes Trains automobiles & bikes Festival
Customs House, Goondiwindi
Ph 0409 820 013
- July
14–20 July
Yellowbelly Country Music Festival
St George
25 July
Opera at Jimbour
Phone: 07 3010 6600
Email: info@qmf.org.au
31 July- 2 August
Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races
www.tarafestivalncamels.org.au
- August
22-23 August
Delicious and DeLIGHTful Festival, Dalby