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ABOUT Torrens Creek
The Torrens Creek, after which this Outback town is named, rises in the Great Dividing Range and runs southward to the Thomson River system to eventually run into Lake Eyre. William Landsborough discovered it in 1862 while searching for Burke and Wills. He named the creek after Sir Robert Torrens, Premier of South Australia.
The Great North Railway reached Torrens Creek in 1885 and from then on it became the supply centre for a large district. Mailmen rode out to the north and south to various stations delivering mail along routes which are still used today. The district’s most famous mailman, Jack Blunt, who served from 1931 to 1954 is honoured with a cairn and plaque erected by Torrens Creek residents.
Torrens Creek had its place in history associated with the Coral Sea battle. In 1942 this little town was nearly blown apart when a huge allied ammunition dump exploded. Torrens Creek was in a vital position for a supply dump when the threat of Japanese invasion was apparent. Australian and American troops were in charge and carried out regular controlled burns to create firebreaks. One summer day in 1942 a fire that was not properly extinguished caused a terrific explosion, which hurled men from their trucks. There were 12 major explosions in succession, sufficient to leave craters 20 feet deep.
South of Torrens Creek is Moorrinya National Park. This park offers a dramatic impression of the harsh beauty and open expanse of the Desert Uplands. White Mountains National Park offers short walking tracks for those who wish to explore this magic spot a little further.
Places to stay near Torrens Creek
Oasis Exchange Hotel Torrens Creek
4 kmLocated 160km West of Charters Towers QLD, the Oasis Exchange Hotel welcomes locals and travellers.
MoreGreat Western Hotel
84 kmExperience the true Australian hospitality in the heart of the Outback.
MoreGreat Western Hotel-Motel
84 kmThe Great Western Hotel-Motel accommodates people of all ages. With seven newly renovated motel rooms with air-conditioning, en-suites, television, tea and coffee making facilities
MoreHughenden RV Park
84 kmThere is free camping available at the Hughenden RV Park for fully self-contained vehicles.
MoreRoyal Hotel Resort Hughenden
85 kmStay at the Royal Hotel Resort on you next visit to Hughenden.
MoreStarGazers Pet Friendly Fully Fenced
85 kmLocated in the town centre of Hughenden – this half acre block is a completely fenced for your furry friends.
MoreHughenden Allan Terry Caravan Park
85 kmAllan Terry Caravan is beautiful, spacious accommodation suited to the whole family.
MoreRest Easi Motel
86 kmThe Rest Easi Motel is located on Richmond Hill on the Western side of Hughenden. This quiet and spacious motel offers clean, well appointed accommodation.
MoreClothes Peg Country Cottage
135 kmThis is a hosted stay through Hipcamp, below is the information provided by the Host regarding their offering. Clothes Peg is a family-owned beef cattle station on top of the Great Divide, north of Hughenden in North Queensland. We offer the Country Cottage, a lovely cottage beside the main house. It is very basic, but […]
MoreRichmond Lakeview Caravan Park
193 kmThe Richmond Lakeview Caravan Park is the clean, friendly outback park with the “million dollar view”.
MoreThings to see and do near Torrens Creek
Towering cliffs of coloured sandstone, pockets of vine forest and deep permanent waterholes along Porcupine Creek contrast strikingly with the savanna plains surrounding Porcupine Gorge.
Porcupine Gorge National Park
68 km
This remote park has dry, flat plains criss-crossed by watercourses and covered in open eucalypt, paperbark and acacia woodlands and grasslands.
Moorrinya National Park
75 km
Kooroorinya Falls is a natural waterhole surrounded by high rock walls on one side and sandy, shaded banks on the other.
Kooroorinya Falls Nature Reserve
80 km
The Historic Coolabah Tree is of immense historical importance as it is linked to two relief expeditions searching for the Burke and Wills Expedition.
Historic Coolabah Tree
84 km
The Hughenden Recreational Lake is a multiple-use lake shared by boaters, water skiers, kayakers, rowers and swimmers.
Hughenden Recreational Lake
85 km
Lake Fred Tritton has a relaxed, yet energetic vibe and is bursting with activities to excite the whole family.
Lake Fred Tritton
193 km
Visiting Australia’s premier marine fossil museum, Kronosaurus Korner, is an unforgettable prehistoric adventure.
Kronosaurus Korner
193 km
Built from local flagstone rock the Cambridge Downs Heritage Display Centre is a replica of the original Cambridge Downs Homestead built in the late 1860’s.
Cambridge Downs Heritage Display Centre
193 km
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
194 km
Unlock your inner-palaeontologist and explore Australia’s ancient marine past at Richmond’s Free Fossil Hunting Sites.
Richmond Fossil Hunting Sites
194 km
Wander through the Bush Tucker Garden and be educated on the regions native plants and their traditional purposes.
Bush Tucker Garden
194 km
The replica of the Muttaburrasaurus Langdoni has a new home in the Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre.
Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre
212 kmWhile at Torrens Creek why not try these Tours
Cobbold Gorge Tours
272 kmDeep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region of Far North Queensland is a hidden outback oasis – Cobbold Gorge.
MoreRed Dirt Tours
274 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.
MoreElite Aviation Services Pty Ltd
274 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.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Extended Tours
280 kmExplore Outback Queensland and beyond with Outback Aussie Tours, a multi-award winning touring company and Savannah Guides accredited operator.
MoreDiscovery Experiences – Undara
284 kmOnly 3½ hours drive from Cairns and four hours from Townsville in Tropical North Queensland, you’ll discover a land so different in contrasts…. Undara.
MoreQueensland Helicopters
310 kmQueensland Helicopters is a family owned business that prides itself on customer service and safety.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Day Tours
311 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
311 kmThe Outback Rail Adventure is Outback Aussie Tours’ newest tourism experience reconnecting our visitors with the romance of rail.
MoreTalaroo Hot Springs Tours
311 kmIn the heart of the Gulf Savannah Way in outback Tropical North Queensland, Talaroo’s magical landscape is alive with the culture of the Ewamian people.
MoreOutback Pioneers
311 kmOutback Pioneers’ award-winning outback tours and experiences, based in Longreach, is all about holidays and experiences that bring the pioneer past to life.
MoreNorthern Heli-Co
570 kmNorthern Heli-Co provides unforgettable scenic flights, heli fishing experiences, custom charter options and aerial photography throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York areas. Our
MoreNorth West Tours
573 kmNorth West Tours specialise in small group tours around Mount Isa and beyond.
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