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CENTRAL WEST REGION

ABOUT CENTRAL WEST REGION

There’s lots to love about the heart of the Outback.

Outback Queensland’s central west wears its history on its sleeve, proudly the birthplace of Qantas, Waltzing Matilda and Australia’s Labor Party.

Pioneering history is at its core of the central west and you can explore it by galloping horse-drawn stagecoach, sunset river cruises and live performances at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

For history that predates early settlers, the world’s largest collection of Australia dinosaur fossils can be found at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Winton.

 

CENTRAL WEST TOWNS

Alpha

Alpha, located east of Barcaldine in Outback Queensland is known as the town of murals.

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Aramac

Aramac, located in the Barcaldine Shire is the home of the White Bull and is one of the oldest towns in Outback Queensland’s central west.

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Barcaldine

Barcaldine’s charming facade, one that has earned it the tag of ‘Garden City of the West’, hides tumultuous tales of a controversial past.

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Blackall

Blackall is located on the Matilda Highway and is name after Sir Samuel Blackall, the second Governor of Queensland.

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Corfield

Corfield may be a tiny historic Outback town with its resident population of seven, but it has a big heart.

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Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is a historic little town just 27 kilometres from Longreach.

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Isisford

The Outback town of Isisford was settled in the mid 1800s and the architecture reflects the lifestyle of it’s humble beginnings.

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Jericho

Located along the Capricorn Highway, between Emerald and Barcaldine in Queensland’s Outback, Jericho’s streets are named after scientists.

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Longreach

Longreach is the ‘Heart of Outback Queensland’, with iconic attractions such as the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Museum.

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Middleton

Middleton was named after the first white man in the district who was a member of the 1862 expedition led by John McKinlay.

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Muttaburra

Visit the town of Muttaburra and experience the sense of wide open spaces, where the sky stretches undisturbed from one horizon to the other.

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Opalton

Home of Queensland Boulder Opal, Opalton lies 124 kilometres from Winton. Opal was first discovered here by George Cragg in 1888.

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Tambo

Tambo is a living museum of cultural history and a place for the visitor to gain an insight into the lifestyle of Australia’s forebears.

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Winton

“Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong…” You’ll be forgiven for relentlessly whistling this famous tune while you’re in Winton, as it’s the very

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Yaraka

The small township of Yaraka is situated 100 kilometres away from Isisford, the backdrop of the Grey Range to the open Mitchell grass plains.

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Local Stories

Pride of the Murray – An Australian Icon Comes Back to Life

The Pride of the Murray has been salvaged; a Restoration Fund is in place to help bring her back to heritage condition.

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Everything you need to know about the Winton Outback Festival

Put Winton in your GPS for 19 – 23 September and get to know the Winton Outback Festival with this guide. Is there anything quirkier than a race that has someone sitting on a makeshift outhouse, AKA dunny, and being dragged around a 200m obstacle course? Australia thinks not. The Winton Outback Festival is Australia’s quirkiest event featuring 5 days of quintessential fun held during the September school […]

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The Australian Workers Heritage Centre

Barcaldine – 1,072km north-west from Brisbane Set within 2 hectares of tranquil landscaped gardens the Australian Workers Heritage Centre documents the ‘Story of the Workers’ paying tribute to (among others) the participants of the 1891 Great Shearers’ Strike which led to the formation of the Australian Labor Party in 1892. Subsequently, the Manifesto of the Queensland […]

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Outback Pioneers

Longreach – 1,179km north-west from Brisbane If you love history, then you’ll love Outback Pioneers’ award-winning experiences and holidays. Whether you choose a day tour, or an inclusive package stay, you can expect a warm welcome, entertaining stories and iconic encounters that capture the essence of Queensland’s outback pioneer spirit and lifestyle. And there’s so […]

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WWII Secret Base

Charleville – 742km west from Brisbane Step back through time to discover the wartime secrets of Charleville. In 1943, this small town was used as a secret WWII base for 3,500 United States military personnel and as you can imagine – there’s many fascinating stories to be told! Immersive and interactive exhibits show what life […]

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