FLINDERS SHIRE

INCORPORATING THE TOWNS OF Torrens Creek; Prairie; Hughenden; Stamford

@visithughenden @visithughenden #visithughenden #endlesshorizons

Outback Towns, Endless Horizons

Day 1

MORNING – Flinders Discovery Centre is a great place to start your tour of the region. The fabulous local staff can let you know of any local events happening and assist with tailoring your itinerary and book local tours. Learn about the making of ancient landscapes and the dinosaurs that roamed the area. The museum also holds the stories of local industries, characters and the night sky. The centre has a café, open seven days a week during tourism season.

AFTERNOON – Try your hand at discovering your own fossil at one of the local fossick sites. You don’t need a permit, just some water, basic tools and patience. If digging is not your scene, try fossicking through the main street where you will find locally-crafted and outback-inspired goods.

EVENING – Relax at the end of a busy day by taking in the outback sunset skies at Mt Walker. You can self-drive or take a Sunset Tour with a Ploughman’s Platter provided.

Day 2

MORNING – Porcupine Gorge is one of the best kept secrets in Outback Queensland. Five hundred years in the making and half a day to explore. You can hike to the bottom for a swim, or for the ultimate experience, take a flying tour over Porcupine Gorge and White Mountains with Fox Helicopter Tours.

AFTERNOON – Take a town tour, which explores local industries, history and the town’s Art Trail. The Art Trail is marked on the visitor’s map and encompasses murals and sculptures.

EVENING – Head to one of the local pubs for a round of pool, a cold drink and a great locally grown steak.

Day 3

MORNING – Head east of Hughenden to Kooroorinya Nature Reserve (approx. 1 hour drive) where you can relax by the gorge and drop in a fishing line. This spot is pet friendly and has great camping facilities as well. The Reserve has a great history with the site coming to life every May for the Kooroorinya Picnic Races which have been running for 106 years.

AFTERNOON – Drop in at Prairie Pub, on your way back to Hughenden. Full of curios and antiquities, the publicans are always up for a yarn and Buff y the buff alo is always up for a slice of bread.

EVENING – Grab some takeaways and head to the eastern dock on the Hughenden Recreational Lake where you can take in the wonderful birdlife and sunset over the water.

FLINDERS SHIRE Population: 1,395 FLINDERS DISCOVERY CENTRE

37 Gray Street, Hughenden P 07 4741 2970 E info@flinders.qld.gov.au visithughenden.com.au

Top Tips

▶ Hughenden Recreational Lake is ideal for swimming, watercraft , birdwatching and fishing. There are free BBQ shelters and walkways which are wheelchair accessible.

▶ Torrens Creek Exchange Hotel is the best road stop between Charters Towers and Hughenden. Great pub meals with hotel walls just waiting for you to leave your mark.

▶ White Mountains National Park turns to shades of yellow, red and purple late July as the wildflowers and wattles all come into flower. They can be viewed from within the park, by air or the side of the highway.

▶ Tourist Drives are a great way to see the region. The Shire has three biways which all offer unique landscapes from basalt ridges, beautiful valleys, open downs and plateau viewing points.

▶ The Golden Lab is a funky little retro van offering some of the best coffee and homemade cakes in town. Located on Richmond Hill Road just beside Hughenden Freight.