Garden City of the West.
Barcaldine has an interesting and famous history. The name Barcaldine originates from the Oban region in Scotland and is pronounced bar-call-din.
Barcaldine is home to the Tree of Knowledge, the reputed birth place of the labour movement in Australia. The Tree grew outside the Railway Station for about 180 years until 2006 when sadly, it was poisoned by an unknown culprit. The famous tree has been preserved and placed under an award winning structure that gives the illusion of a canopy over the Tree. The best view of the Tree and the memorial is at night when it is beautifully lit by special lighting. A visit at night will be a highlight of your trip.
Barcaldine is a great place to spend a few days experiencing, exploring and relaxing. Its rich history is on full display at the Barcaldine and District Historical Museum and the Australian Worker’s Heritage Centre. The main street reflects the love of arts and culture by community members with murals, musical instruments, beautiful gardens and the windmill.
Take a stroll along Lagoon Creek or the Botanical Walk and be mesmerised by the native fauna and flora.
The historic Tree of Knowledge is famous for being the birthplace of the Australian Labour movement. The tree was poisoned in 2006, preserved and placed under an award winning timber structure. It is now a place of inspiration, reflection and celebration. It is beautifully lit with green lighting…
The Radio Picture Theatre is a classic Art Nouveau movie theatre, with the original canvas seating and painted screen facade. Movies are still shown on weekends and the building is also used periodically to house art competitions, quilt displays and travelling plays. It is managed by the Barcaldine…
Located in Beech Street, the Masonic Lodge is a national heritage listed building which houses a working Masonic temple. The building is constructed of tin and timber but has a painted facade which makes it look like brick. Tour the lodge with a Mason are available on request…
If you are musically inclined you might like to try playing the Thong-A-Phone and Marimba which are located in Oak Street. These large musical instruments were constructed as part of a public works programme; they are art pieces and visitors are more than welcome to try their hand…
Between the Bougainvilleas is an award winning heritage trail, which showcases some of Barcaldine’s varied and colourful history. Maroon signs featuring a windmill logo have been placed at significant historical sites around Barcaldine. Each sign gives you a brief history of the site and a photo of what…
Discover at your own pace the Australian Workers Heritage Centre – a place of reflection, within this museum styled complex, visitors can journey through exhibition space which celebrates the extraordinary legacy of working Australians telling a vitally important part of our nation’s history through its working life via…
Barcaldine and District Museum showcases the history and heritage of the Barcaldine District. Housed in the historic old National Bank Building. There are displays containing artefacts from the pioneering days of the bush. These displays include household items, machinery, photographs and paintings. Some of the most unusual items…
