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ABOUT Barcaldine
Barcaldine is situated on the junction of the Capricorn and Landsborough Highways and is known as the Garden City of the West. Many visitors use Barcaldine as a base from which to explore central west Queensland. The extensive range of accommodation and shopping facilities make Barcaldine a relaxing place to stay, recover and explore. Barcaldine is the largest town in the Barcaldine Regional Council area, and it is proud of its interesting and famous history.
Barcaldine is home to the Tree of Knowledge, the reputed birthplace of the labour movement in Australia. The Tree – a ghost gum – 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 timber structure that was constructed to protect the preserved tree and celebrate its importance in Australia’s history. The structure is impressive during the day but when viewed at night is truly magnificent.
The name Barcaldine originates from the Oban region in Scotland. Donald Charles Cameron was one of the first settlers in the district and a direct descendant of the Campbells of Barcaldine Castle. He settled on a portion of land fronting the Alice River and immediately named his property “Barcaldine Downs”. The railway line came as far as Lagoon Creek in 1886 and the township of Barcaldine developed on land from the Barcaldine Downs run.
The Australian Workers Heritage Centre is a national project commemorating not just these events, which changed the course of the nation’s working history, but is a tribute to all Australian working men and women. Set in over five acres of landscaped gardens, it is also home to the Wanpa-rda Matilda Outback Education Centre, which is a unique residential facility for schools and community groups.
Barcaldine is also home to the old-world Radio Theatre, complete with its canvas seats, and the working windmill that pumps water into the sculpture designed and erected by the Youth of Barcaldine, which stands outside the information centre.
Did you know?
Barcaldine's charming facade, one that has earned it the tag of 'Garden City of the West', hides tumultuous tales of a controversial past.
Towns nearby:
Alpha Blackall Ilfracombe Jericho
LOCAL VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE VIEW TOWN ON GOOGLE MAPSPlaces to stay near Barcaldine
Mitchell Grass Retreat
Luxury Under Canvas. Opened in 2020, Mitchell Grass Retreat is a luxury glamping retreat based in Longreach, Outback Queensland.
MoreBailey Bar Caravan Park
This little tree lined park is a winter haven for many travellers looking for a homely stop over on their way to the north.
MoreThe Lake Quilpie
The Lake Quilpie offers a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets.
MoreMaree’s Farmstay
Maree’s Farmstay is an Airbnb Farmstay on a Brahman cattle station situated right beside Mount Moffatt Carnarvon National Park.
MoreCamp at Neville Hewitt Weir, Baralaba
Chain Lagoons is a free camping area not far from Taroom.
MoreArtesian Waters Caravan Park
Artesian Waters Caravan Park is a popular spot for opal fossickers and tourists alike. It is located in the heart of the Yowah opal fields,
MoreCamp at Chain Lagoons, Taroom
Chain Lagoons is a free camping area not far from Taroom.
Located off the Leichhardt Way on Chain Lagoons Road.
MoreHotel Cunnamulla
Hotel Cunnamulla offers real country comfort with classic country hotel-style rooms with private ensuites.
MoreCunnamulla Tourist Park
The park is ideally located at the cross roads of the Matilda and Adventure Highways and is the perfect spot to base yourself.
MoreThings to see and do near Barcaldine
Redbank Park is loated on the banks of the Jordan River just east of Jericho.
Redbank Park, Jericho
Inside the heritage listed Corfield and Fitzmaurice building awaits one of the nation’s most comprehensive displays of Australian Dinosaur fossils.
Corfield and Fitzmaurice Building
The Whitula Gate Museum is based around an original slab hut built by the Rabbit Board in 1906 as a boundary riders’ hut.
Whitula Gate Museum
Beat the heat and relax at the Quilpie Swimming Pool Complex. There is a children’s wading pool and kiosk available for your convenience.
Quilpie Memorial Swimming Pool
Step back in time where everyday early outback life is on display at Morven Historical Museum.
Morven Historical Museum
Today, Saddliers Waterhole and Hamburg Creek are a traveller’s oasis.
Saddliers Waterhole and Hamburg Creek
When travelling the Overlanders Way, between Townsville and Mount Isa, the Jack Brown Lions Park at Richmond presents itself as a halfway stopover.
Jack Brown Lions Park
Unlock your inner-palaeontologist and explore Australia’s ancient marine past at Richmond’s Free Fossil Hunting Sites.
Richmond Fossil Hunting Sites
Wander through the Bush Tucker Garden and be educated on the regions native plants and their traditional purposes.
Bush Tucker Garden
The Maranoa Art Gallery is housed in the beautifully transformed old Maranoa Picture Theatre and is the cultural hub of Mitchell.
Mitchell on Maranoa Art Gallery
While at Barcaldine why not try these Tours
Outback Aussie Tours – Day Tours
Outback Aussie Tours is a family-owned local operator with over 35 years of experience and unrivalled local Outback Queensland knowledge, passion and connections.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Outback Rail Adventure Day Tours
The Outback Rail Adventure is Outback Aussie Tours’ newest tourism experience reconnecting our visitors with the romance of rail.
MoreOutback Pioneers
Outback Pioneers’ award-winning outback tours and experiences, based in Longreach, is all about holidays and experiences that bring the pioneer past to life.
MoreCharleville’s ‘Magnificent 7’
Discover stars, WWII secrets and bilbies for starters on Charleville’s ‘Magnificent 7’ day tour in Outback Queensland. Morning tea, lunch and transfers included.
MoreWWII Secret Tag-A-Long Tour – Charleville
Discover why over 3500 United States Army Air Force personnel were stationed in Charleville during World War II.
MoreEromanga Natural History Museum
The Eromanga Natural History Museum is committed to discovering, conserving and showcasing the fossil, natural and cultural heritage from the prehistoric and modern-day environments.
MoreCobbold Gorge Tours
Deep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region of Far North Queensland is a hidden outback oasis – Cobbold Gorge.
MoreSt George Heritage Tour
Discover the stories and legends of St George, including a visit to the Anchorage Homestead with a fully guided tour including morning tea.
MoreCotton Farm and Vineyard Tour
Don’t miss out on experiencing the Cotton Farm and Winery Tour held from May to September.
MoreSandytown River Cruises
Sandytown River Cruises offers visitors an opportunity to experience the beautiful Balonne River, a small but important part of Queensland’s inland river system.
MoreDiscovery Experiences – Undara
Only 3½ hours drive from Cairns and four hours from Townsville in Tropical North Queensland, you’ll discover a land so different in contrasts…. Undara.
MoreDingo Trax – Birdsville and Outback Queensland
Whether you are a seasoned 4WD enthusiast or completely new to it all, Dingo Trax have your back!
MoreDrives passing through Barcaldine
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]