13 things you didn’t know about Hughenden
For a town recognised for its pre-historic creatures, it’s no surprise to find a myriad of ancient landscapes here.
From fossils to flourishing flora, here are 13 things you didn’t know about Hughenden’s past and present.
1. It’s one third of the Australian Dinosaur Trail
Never heard of the Australian Dinosaur Trail? Step foot in Hughenden and transport yourself to a time when the land was a giant inland sea and marine reptiles and dinosaurs roamed the area.
Hughenden is one of three towns that create the triangular trail – with Richmond and Winton part of this boney trifecta.
Stop by Flinders Discovery Centre to say hi to Hughie, the seven metre tall skeletal Muttaburrasaurus.
Home to an impressive fossil collection, the Discovery Centre takes you through the history of the dinosuar era, from the first fossil found in the area in 1865 to modern day dino digs.
2. It’s framed by four national parks
This is one outback town with some serious natural wonder credibility. In fact, there are four national parks surrounding the town.
Head east 80km to White Mountains National Park, known for its contrasting white sandstone structures and colourful wildflowers that spring to life in the winter months.
Trek 65km north to Porcupine National Park and you’ll find sandstone gorges that are nothing short of breath-taking.
Head further north to come across Blackbraes National Park, a stretch of Ironbark woodlands, home to native wildlife such as grey kangaroos. Tick off these other outback creatures with this wildlife check list.
Adventure south-east of town and you’ll stumble across Moorrinya National Park, an outback camping oasis where you can set up along waterways that wind through eucalypt, acacia, and paperbark woodlands.
3. You can’t move for local parks
You don’t have to go far for your nature fix, there are four parks in downtown Hughenden perfect for kicking back and relaxing.
Enjoy playgrounds, grassy picnic areas, views of the town as well as the outback landscape at Brodie Street Park, Bully Playford Park, Discovery Park, and Robert Grey Memorial Park.
4. It’s an artwork and sculpture hub
Hughenden is an outback artist haven, with a trail of sculptures installed around the town wearing its history and heart on its sleeve.
Made from scrap metal by local artists, installations such as Darby the Dinosaur, Leanneosaur and the Pterosaurs, and fish sculptures adorn the streets and local businesses.
Take a stroll down Grey Street to spot the window panel artworks depicting the town’s cultural heritage.
5. It’s got its very own Grand Canyon
Don’t be fooled by the seemingly endless horizons of flat outback plains, Hughenden’s best kept secret is actually quite hilly – enter Porcupine National Park.
Porcupine Gorge, otherwise known as ‘Australia’s Little Grand Canyon’, follows the towering cliffs that frame porcupine Creek.
With two lookouts, camping facilities, and walking tracks, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of this Gorge-ous national park.
6. It’s built upon volcanic basalt
If you’re keen on a 4×4 adventure through the outback, put discovering the Basalt Byways on your to-tread list.
The track takes you north of town through mountains and valleys of volcanic basalt walls, with lookouts along the way where you can see Hughenden in the distance.
7. The town has a dark side
Head out to Mount Walker and you’ll lay eyes on an outback landscape of a different kind – flat black soil plains disrupted by a mammoth mountain.
From the top, six lookouts provide 360 views of the plains, the town and beyond.
8. The town was named after a house in England
When founder Earnest Henry stumbled across the area in 1863 and decided to set up camp, he named the settlement Hughenden Station.
Why Hughenden? Well, it was the name of the Tudor Manor house belonging to his Grandfather in Buckinghamshire, England.
With the purpose of a manor house to display one’s wealth and status, Hughenden Station was Earnest Henry’s very own outback version of a manor.
9. The Little House on the Prairie comes to life here
Just 30km east of Hughenden with a population of 50, is the quaint town of Prairie.
Relive your Little House on the Prairie moments on the rolling plains of grasslands or stop by the Prairie hotel for a step back in time through the town’s history with memorabilia lining the walls.
10. The area has wartime ties
Venture further east to come across a piece of wartime history at Torrens Creek. The land that the town now resides on was once used as an ammunition dumping ground during World War II.
One way to learn more about the town’s history is to visit the Exchange Hotel, where you can sit down with a cold bevvo, listen to a yarn or two, and add to the historic graffiti wall.
11. It’s got a Coolabah tree like no other
For one, simple tree, there’s one helluva story behind it.
Found on the entrance to the Hughenden Showgrounds, the Historical Coolabah Tree is linked to two relief missions on search for the Burke and Wills expedition.
Both expeditions blazed the tree, passing it on their search to find the Flinders River, triggering growth of settlement in the area.
12. The town is obsessed with windmills
Hughenden takes windmill installation to the next level, with a massive 35 foot comet windmill standing on the outskirts of town at Wirilla Station.
The Wirilla Windmill is number 11 out of only 15 of the giant windmills ever created, with the ability to pump over one million litres of water per day.
Can’t get enough of the windmill? Stop by Brodie Street to see the Federation Rotunda, an artistic sculpture made from two 20 foot blade windmills connected by a sheet of iron.
Made by local artists, the sculpture was erected as a celebration of the Centenary of Federation in 2001.
13. Hughenden Recreational Lake is now open to the public
The new Recreational Lake Precinct is approximately 59 acres, making it 900m in length and up to 400m at its widest point. To put that in perspective, it is the size of 35 football fields. The lake has a great track around it for walking and biking and is stocked with fish if fishing is on your agenda.
Have you been to Hughenden? Tell us about your experience in the comments below
