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ABOUT Middleton
Middleton’s history begins with the exploration of the area in 1862, when John McKinlay passed through the area in search of the lost expedition of Burke and Wills. He left Adelaide in 1961 with a party of nine and early in 1862 they followed the Diamantina on its eastern bank up to a point near old Cork Station, and then turned north-west, following a creek, and becoming the first white men to enter the Winton District. On April 10, 1862, the creek was named in honour of W. Middleton, McKinlay’s second in charge. They passed by the present site of Middleton Township and continued on towards the Gulf. The memorial cairn in front of the old hall lists the men who were part of the exploration party.
The Middleton Hotel was built during the Cobb & Co. era, and was a changing station, where tired horses were replaced with fresh horses, on the route between Winton and Boulia. It formed one of the “Nine Pillars of Cobb & Co.” These Pillars represent the nine oldest and original Changing Stations for the coaches of the Winton to Boulia Route, which was 240 miles (384 kilometres), and took four days each way. It was called Mail Service 216, and the contract was held between 1895 and 1915. Look for the memorial cairns along the Winton-Boulia Road, each one representing another of the Nine Pillars of Cobb & Co. – Winton, Elderslie, Woodstock, Middleton, Makunda Hotel, Lucknow, Hamilton, Warenda Bore and Boulia.
Middleton has slowly declined over the years, and all that survives of the settlement is the Middleton Hotel, campground and the disused Hall. The Middleton Hotel now has the distinction of being one of the most isolated pubs in Queensland.
Friendly Western hospitality can be found there, so stop in for a coldie and a yarn enroute to Boulia, or as a day trip from Winton. Cabin accommodation is available, or check in to the ‘Hilton Hotel’, the free campground across the road.
Places to stay near Middleton
Ayrshire Downs, near Winton
128 kmAyrshire Downs Caravan & Camping is a property steeped in Australian history.
MoreWinton Outback Motel
154 kmThe Winton Outback Motel is a 25 room property, with a mixture of Queen, King and Family rooms in Standard as well as Premium options.
MoreNorth Gregory Hotel
155 kmThe personality of the North Gregory Hotel reflects the history and ambience of yesteryear whilst providing all the comforts of today.
MoreLittle Grove
155 kmThis is a hosted stay through Hipcamp, below is the information provided by the Host regarding their offering. Little Grove is half an acre of flat land one street back from the main street of Winton. It is one to five minute walk to iconic Winton hotels such as, The North Gregory, The Aussie and […]
MoreRangelands Outback Camp
155 kmRangelands Outback Camp is an exclusive 6 (six) tent camp for only 12 pampered guests.
MoreOlive Grove
155 kmOlive Grove features a collection of relaxing spaces inspired by natural elements nestled in the heart of Winton Queensland.
MoreOpalton Bush Park
162 kmOpalton is a great place to enjoy the outback, see some colour, have a great campfire and talk to locals.
MoreDiamantina National Park camping
168 kmEnjoy spectacular sunsets and abundant bird life from river bank or beside the creek when camping in Diamantina ‘under the shade of a coolibah tree’.
MoreJulia Creek Motel
187 kmJulia Creek Motel is a welcoming, family-friendly motel that puts the best of the town right at your doorstep.
MoreJulia Creek Caravan Park
187 kmThe Julia Creek Caravan Park is one of those friendly parks you’ll find yourself recommending to others.
MoreGidgee Inn Motel
196 kmA unique, 4- star, rammed earth complex built in 1997 using Cloncurry’s rich red soils to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
MoreCorella Creek Country Farm Stay
199 kmCorella Creek Country Farm Stay is a place where travellers can relax, interact with nature, and enjoy a sense of freedom.
MoreDiscovery Parks – Cloncurry
208 kmBurke and Wills found beauty in Cloncurry on their journey through in 1861; now, take your turn when you stay with Discovery Parks – Cloncurry.
MoreThings to see and do near Middleton
Drop into Crackup Corner where you’ll be greeted by their ticket seller and sent on the yellow brick road of laughter and intrigue.
Crackup Corner
154 km
The Royal Theatre Winton is an iconic open-air theatre built in 1918 and is just one of two open-air theatres still operating in Australia.
The Royal Open-Air Theatre Winton
155 km
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
155 km
Winton Golf Club delivers a true outback golf experience, where sand greens, natural fairways, and sweeping horizons create a course full of character.
Winton Golf Club
155 km
The Waltzing Matilda Centre is a museum so steeped in Australiana that the architecture itself references the landscape and history of the local region.
Waltzing Matilda Centre
155 km
The Lilleyvale Hills are set on the edge of Winton Shire and Boulia Shire on the Kennedy Developmental Road.
Cawnpore Lookout and Lilleyvale Hills
155 km
Bladensburg National Park is a large park protecting Mitchell Grass Downs and Channel Country.
Bladensburg National Park
155 km
Experience the rich Indigenous and settler histories, replenishing waters and shimmering mirages, and stunning desert-like vistas of this unique park.
Diamantina National Park
157 km
If you love a bit of history then visit the The Historic Opalton walking tracks.
Opalton Historic Walking Tracks
162 km
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History is home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils.
Australian Age of Dinosaurs
170 km
Show creators have brought many bush characters to life, displayed in their own environment, to tell you their stories about the mysterious Min Min lights.
Min Min Encounter
179 km
The Min Min Encounter is a unique theatrical experience incorporating animatronics, fibre optics and loads of other high tech wizardry.
Min Min Encounter & Visitor Information Centre
179 kmWhile at Middleton why not try these Tours
Elite Aviation Services Pty Ltd
167 kmBased in Winton, Queensland, Elite Aviation Services offers helicopter and plane scenic flights and charters over the spectacular landscape around Winton and the Diamantina River.
MoreRed Dirt Tours Pty Ltd
167 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.
MoreNorth West Tours
267 kmNorth West Tours specialise in small group tours around Mount Isa and beyond.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Extended Tours
274 kmExplore Outback Queensland and beyond with Outback Aussie Tours, a multi-award winning touring company and Savannah Guides accredited operator.
MoreSheehan Events
317 kmSheehan Events is an Australian event management company specialising in premium outback events and bespoke air tours across regional Australia.
MoreOutback Pioneers
317 kmOutback Pioneers’ award-winning outback tours and experiences, based in Longreach, is all about holidays and experiences that bring the pioneer past to life.
MoreGolden West Tours – Longreach
318 kmGolden West Tours specialises in boutique tours of the sights, sounds and history of Longreach, Ilfracombe and a day tour to Winton.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Outback Rail Adventure Day Tours
318 kmThe Outback Rail Adventure is Outback Aussie Tours’ newest tourism experience reconnecting visitors with the romance of rail.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Day Tours
318 kmOutback Aussie Tours is a family-owned local operator with over 35 years of experience and unrivalled local Outback Queensland knowledge, passion and connections.
MoreQueensland Helicopters
320 kmQueensland Helicopters is a family owned business that prides itself on customer service and safety.
MoreCobbold Gorge Tours
375 kmDeep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region of Far North Queensland is a hidden outback oasis – Cobbold Gorge.
MoreBig Red Tours
390 kmLuxurious outback hospitality – relax in their quality 4WD coach and enjoy their hospitality with a professional local tour guide.
More