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ABOUT McKinlay
Located 104 kilometres south east of Cloncurry, McKinlay was named after the McKinlay River which was discovered and named by the explorer John McKinlay. McKinlay had arrived in New South Wales in 1836 and by 1861 had become such an adept bushman that he was chosen to lead the South Australian Burke Relief Expedition to search for the missing Burke and Wills.
Like many of its counterparts along the track, this little town, established more than 100 years ago, was a staging post for Cobb & Co. coaches and a social gathering point for the graziers whose vast properties surround it.
McKinlay is home to the famous Walkabout Creek Hotel. Originally known as the Federal Hotel and built in 1900, The Walkabout Creek Hotel is now famous for being recognised as the pub in the Paul Hogan movie “Crocodile Dundee”. The pub, together with other buildings in the town were featured in this iconic Australian film.
Located in Middleton Street, McKinlay, Queensland’s smallest public library and visitor centre. The library boasts a large range of fiction and non fiction books and internet access available. Visitor information and brochures are also available.
Located 87 kilometres south of McKinlay is Cannington South 32 mine site – the world’s largest and lowest cost single mine producer of both silver and lead. Opened in 1997, Cannington was the supplier of silver for the Olympic Games medals in Sydney in 2000 and again for the Beijing Olympics, 2008.
Places to stay near McKinlay
Julia Creek Caravan Park
82 kmThe Julia Creek Caravan Park is one of those friendly parks you’ll find yourself recommending to others.
MoreDiscovery Parks – Cloncurry
105 kmBurke and Wills found beauty in Cloncurry on their journey through in 1861; now, take your turn when you stay with Discovery Parks – Cloncurry.
MoreCloncurry Caravan Park Oasis
106 kmCloncurry Caravan Park Oasis is situated on the Overlanders Way (Flinders Highway) close to the Town Centre.
MoreGidgee Inn
106 kmThe Gidgee Inn is a 4-star motel with a bar and grill, conference facilities and 40 motel rooms all fully outfitted in Australian style.
MoreCorella Creek Country Farm Stay
115 kmCorella Creek Country Farm Stay is a place where travellers can relax, interact with nature, and enjoy a sense of freedom.
MoreRangelands Outback Camp
122 kmRangelands Outback Camp is an exclusive 6 (six) tent camp for only 12 pampered guests.
MoreAyrshire Downs, near Winton
165 kmThis is a hosted stay through Hipcamp, below is the information provided by the Host regarding their offering. Ayrshire Downs Caravan & Camping is a property steeped in Australian history; with the Cobb & Co coach pub ruins, original shearing shed ruins from the famous shearing strikes, the location for where Banjo Patterson first penned Waltzing […]
MoreDiscovery Parks – Argylla, Mount Isa
198 kmThe park is perfect for the stop over, take a dip in the pool or just relax poolside reading a book.
MoreRichmond Lakeview Caravan Park
198 kmThe Richmond Lakeview Caravan Park is the clean, friendly outback park with the “million dollar view”.
MoreSunset Tourist Park
200 kmNestled alongside a spring fed creek, Sunset Tourist Park is conveniently located close to the town centre with shops, cafes and a great bakery.
MoreThings to see and do near McKinlay
Visit the remains of a concrete building which housed a generating plant supplying power to a RAAF High Frequency / Direction Finding Station.
HF / DF Station Power House Ruins
76 km
One feature you definitely won’t miss in Julia Creek is the 30 metre wine glass shaped water tower.
Julia Creek Water Tower
81 km
If you love history, you’ll enjoy the Duncan McIntyre Museum in Julia Creek, home to countless relics from a bygone era.
Duncan McIntyre Museum
81 km
Peter Dawes Park is centrally located in Burke St Julia Creek. A new, shaded kids playground was installed in 2018.
Peter Dawes Park
82 km
Located on the main street ‘At the Creek’ offer a great selection of travel information brochures and maps.
At the Creek Visitor Information Centre
82 km
‘Beneath the Creek’, another attraction at the Visitor Information Centre, provides a hands-on interactive journey through many facets of life in the McKinlay Shire.
Julia Creek Dunnart
82 km
These bright coloured cruiser bikes are free to hire and can be used to travel into town on the fully sealed walking/riding track.
Cruiser Bikes
82 km
Set off on Julia Creek’s Historical Walk either as a short walk around the main area of town or the half day version.
Historical Walk
82 km
Never taken part in a cattle muster? Now you can, at the Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre virtual reality (VR) cattle muster.
Virtual Reality Cattle Mustering
82 km
Samson, the major sculpture was created by artist, Sue Tilley, from a range of vintage metal objects collected locally.
Spirit of the Light Horse Sculpture
82 km
While at McKinlay why not try these Tours
North West Tours
202 kmNorth West Tours specialise in small group tours around Mount Isa and beyond.
MoreRed Dirt Tours
215 kmRed Dirt Tours is your Winton touring specialist and offers a number of tours to the spectacular natural and man-made attractions of the Winton region.
MoreFox Helicopter Services
305 kmFox Helicopters operate a selection of scenic flights to Porcupine Gorge and White Mountains National Park.
MoreQueensland Helicopters
332 kmQueensland Helicopters is a family owned business that prides itself on customer service and safety.
MoreCobbold Gorge Tours
352 kmDeep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region of Far North Queensland is a hidden outback oasis – Cobbold Gorge.
MoreOutback Pioneers
385 kmOutback Pioneers’ award-winning outback tours and experiences, based in Longreach, is all about holidays and experiences that bring the pioneer past to life.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Extended Tours
385 kmExplore Outback Queensland and beyond with Outback Aussie Tours, a multi-award winning touring company and Savannah Guides accredited operator.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Day Tours
385 kmOutback 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
385 kmThe Outback Rail Adventure is Outback Aussie Tours’ newest tourism experience reconnecting our visitors with the romance of rail.
MoreYagurli Tours
435 kmYagurli Tours is an Indigenous owned business operated by the Gangalidda and Garawa Peoples.
MoreBalloon Aloft Burketown
435 kmBalloon Aloft is partnering with Yagurli Tours for a hot air balloon experience with a difference this June to September.
MoreTalaroo Hot Springs Tours
446 kmIn the heart of the Gulf Savannah Way in outback Tropical North Queensland, Talaroo is a magical landscape alive with the culture of the Ewamian
More