2023 Barcoo Visitor Guide

THE HEART OF THE CHANNEL COUNTRY FAR WESTERN QUEENSLAND

Welcome to Barcoo

Acknowledgement to Country

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, whom have a deep understanding and attachment to land and waters of the Barcoo Shire region. We wish you all safe travels and protection, asking that you respect this land and its traditions, leaving country as you find it. Take photographs – leave footprints.

NATURE – ADVENTURE – FUN

Red Dirt. Goanna. Outback Legends. Sandhills. Billy Tea. Yellowbelly. Cattle. Opals. Wedge-Tailed Eagle. Dreamtime. Sheep. Yarns. Tender Rump Steak. Wildflowers. Rodeo. Dingo Barrier Fence. Stock Route. Ringers. Last Fuel Stop. Two Rivers Form A Creek. Bulldust. Vibrant Colours. Yabbies. Bronco Branding. Dusty Backroads. Campfires. Lake Eyre Basin. Floodplains. Coolibah. A Bush Christening. Rustic Landscapes. Channel Country. Stockmen. Ghost Gums. Fresh Water Fishing. Spinifex. Jeans and Boots. Bush Characters.

BARCOO TIME. SMALL TOWNS – BIG HEARTS.

Front Cover: Shot By Rob; Page 2 & 3: RLR Photography; Page 5: Harry Bates Photography; Page 6 & 7: RLR Photography; Page 10 & 11: Helen Commens; Page 12: Laurie Shaw; Page 13: RLR Photography, Quineen Gilby.

Inset Images: Helen Commens, Shot by Rob, Ingrid Miller, Sharon Lee Chapman, Keiran Lusk Photography.

Dirt Roads & Backroads

NATURE & WILDLIFE | GEOLOGY | HISTORY

DRIVES

n The Barcoo Way

n The Warrego Way (Brisbane to Birdsville via Windorah)

n The Channel Country Way

n Stonehenge to Isisford via Bimmerah

n Jundah to Windorah via Welford

n Jundah to Winton via Opalton

n Stonehenge to Winton via Lochern National Park

n Haddon Corner – Arrabury Road

n Windorah Nature Drive –see Windorah page

n John Egan Pioneer Track –see Stonehenge page

n Settler’s Nature Drive – see Jundah page

Detailed drive maps and information are available at the Windorah, Jundah and Stonehenge Information Centres.

TOLONGREACH

TOISISFORD

TO QUILPIE

TO BIRDSVILLE

WINDORAH

JUNDAH

Lochern National Park

Welford National Park

STONEHENGE

To Birdsville & Bedourie

To Winton

To Charleville

Jundah

4G Telstra Mobile Coverage. Campfires. Self Guided Drive and Walk. Yabbies. Golfing. Pub Meal. Roadhouse. Real Coffee. River. Welford National Park. Waterways. History. Geology. Native Wells. Jundah Annual Race Day. BYO Water Sports. Geo Caching. Public Swimming Pool. Unique Welcome Signs. Barcoo Shire War Memorial Park and Playground. Barcoo Shire Museum.

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Welford National Park – 45km southsoutheast of Jundah. A national park since 1992, Welford covers 124,000 hectares of nature’s diverse landscapes.

Thomson River – Discover and explore the Thomson at your leisure. There are a variety of recreational activities available including fishing, yabbying, kayaking, birdwatching or just simply relaxing.

Site of Magee’s Shanty – 90km east of Jundah is believed to be the site of the shanty immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s poem “A Bush Christening”, not far from the ruins of the Cobb & Co. Pub and the lonely grave of goldminer Richard Magoffin, who perished in 1885.

BARCOO

Fun Fact

Opal Minded is a fine Australian opal jewellery design house based in Sydney since 1989. Its opal-mines are located in Jundah-Opalville. See its collection of bespoke opal jewellery at www.opalminded.com

Timeline

1878 – Jundah began as a township reserve 1903 – Barcoo Shire established 3 March 1955-60 – Electricity connected

1980-90 – Television services arrive. Automatic telephone exchange. Swimming pool opened 1988 – ‘Mario Star’ a 60.74 carat black boulder opal discovered

1989 – Jundah Joe (Mr Joe Arguranic) finds the stunning ‘Galaxy’ opal, 550 carats. Sold for $75,000 2001-05 – Treated water connected 2008 – Barcoo Shire remains unchanged after amalgamations

2017 – Mobile coverage

Jundah Hotel

Jundah Roadhouse

Stonehenge

4G Telstra Mobile Coverage. Scenic Lookout. Self Guided Drive And Walk. River. Rockholes. Leave Your Mark In Rocks. History. Native Wells. Playground. Outback Pub. Earthquake Monitoring. Bronco Branding. Geo Caching. Star Gazing. Information Centre. Free Camping. Minions.

THINGS TO SEE & DO

John Egan Pioneer Track

– Less than 6km from town, the track showcases amazing rock formations that have been sculpted by nature over millions of years. The track’s namesake, John Egan, was a local war hero who served in WWII in three areas of conflict - Egypt, Cyprus and Papua New Guinea.

Stonehenge Address Book –

The Stonehenge Address Book began years ago when the local mail man, Mr Johnny Weston, was stranded by his broken down truck. Whilst waiting to be rescued Mr Weston wrote ‘Jundah’ in stones. If you’re travelling past pull off to the side of the road, collect some stones and leave a message or your name for future travellers.

XXXX Hill – Opposite the Stonehenge Address Book is XXXX Hill with panoramic views of the Thomson River floodplains and the surrounding Johnstone Ranges. During wet weather, don’t forget to ask our Information Centre about the magnificent rock holes.

Fun Fact

When it rains in Stonehenge we have some beautiful flowing rock holes. Only the locals know how to get there so if you happen to be lucky enough to visit in the rain, call in and ask our Information Centre how to get there!

Timeline

1884 – John Lonergan, who pioneered Jundah from 1879, came to Stonehenge some years later and bought Byrnes’ Hotel and Haylock’s Store. In 1884, he built the Stonehenge Hotel.

1888 – The Barcoo Divisional Board, set up under Queensland’s 1879 Divisional Boards Act, met for the first time on 21 August 1888 at John Lonergan’s Store in Stonehenge.

1900 – Stonehenge (Provisional) School was officially opened on the 3rd September 1900 with an enrolment of twenty four students.

1959 – Stonehenge Memorial Hall was officially opened on 6 June

1991 – Queensland held its first Bronco Branding Competition at Stonehenge, run by Jimmy Nunn. 2010 – Community Centre and Library opened

AmesburySt

BritfordSt

BulfordSt

StratfordSt

WilfordSt

WestburySt

SalisburySt

DurnfordSt

Warbreccan Rd

Stonehenge Caravan Park

Stonehenge Hotel

Windorah

4G Telstra Mobile Coverage. Solar Farm. Red Sandhills. Last Fuel Before Birdsville. Flood Levels. Murals and Mosaics. Nature Drive. Cooper’s Creek. History. Playground. Aerodrome. Iconic Pub. Service Station. Whitula Gate Museum. International Yabby Races. Geo Caching. Dog Friendly Info Centre. Slab Hut. Channel Country. Cattle. Flora Names. Sandhill Sunset.

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Cooper’s Creek – Windorah is the Aboriginal word meaning “Big Fish”. Catch Yellowbelly, Catfish, Bream and Yabbies in the iconic Cooper’s Creek. Camp, swim and relax by the creek on our sandy ‘beach’.

Windorah Nature Drive –Appreciate the landscape and local flora in its natural state

along the 12km drive. Start at either Cooper’s Creek or just out of Windorah. The self-drive offers local knowledge and prime birdwatching opportunities.

Walking Together Park – Take a short walk to the edge of town and experience eclectic artwork – mosaics, murals and sculptures along the rugged art trail.

Fun Fact

Cooper’s Creek is the only place in the world where two rivers merge to form a creek.

Timeline

1845 – Cooper’s Creek named by Charles Sturt

1880 – Windorah was surveyed and gazetted as a town

1888 – Windorah State School first opened 1943 – Flying Doctor Services started clinics in the Town Hall

1949 – Cooper’s Creek bridge constructed

1974 – Record flood in Cooper’s Creek 8.48m

1995 – Large scale community protest stopped cotton growing and irrigation on Cooper’s Creek

2009 – Solar Farm commissioned 2016 – Mobile phone coverage and fibre optic to Windorah

Quilpie Windorah Rd

Cooper Cabins

Windorah Hotel

Windorah Caravan Park Windorah Whitula Gate Museum

Whitula Gate Museum

Windorah Service Station

Travel Tips

UHF AND MOBILE COVERAGE

n Jundah – UHF Repeater Channels: Duplex 3, 4 & 8. Telstra Mobile Coverage (in town).

n Windorah – UHF Repeater Channels: Duplex 1, 6 & 8. Telstra Mobile Coverage (in town).

n Stonehenge – UHF Repeater Channels: Duplex 4 & 6. Telstra Mobile Coverage (in town).

SHARING THE ROAD

n Tell someone your travel plans and keep in regular contact. Use Free WIFI at our Information Centres.

n Telstra 4G is the only phone service available.

n If possible, travel with other vehicles.

n Check current road conditions and closures. See Information Centres for up to date road reports.

n Wildlife and stock are often more active early morning and late afternoon, avoid travelling during these times if possible.

n Birds of prey sometimes feed on roadkill, slow down on approach to allow time for the bird to get airborne.

n When a road train or larger vehicle is approaching you, slow down and if possible, identify a safe place to stop and pull right off the road to give them the room they need to pass. Please be aware of soft edges after rain.

n Heavy vehicles and road trains generally use UHF channel 40.

n Always drive to conditions.

n Dust limits your visibility. Use caution on dirt roads.

OTHER TRAVEL TIPS

n Carry extra water.

n In the event of a breakdown or emergency do not leave your vehicle. Radio or phone for help and wait for assistance to arrive.

n Check your spare tyre.

n Calculate distances for re-fuelling purposes.

n Carry communications e.g. UHF Radio/Sat phones/Personal location devices.

Weather

Temperatures fluctuate from 0 to above 45 degrees throughout the year. Please check BOM Sites and the Information Centres in our shire for updated weather and road reports.

Road conditions and road closures change quickly. Be aware of rising creeks and channels. Always carry additional water and be aware of sun safety.

Shire Events

FEATURED EVENTS

International Yabby Races – Get trackside the Wednesday before Birdsville Races in the main street of downtown Windorah. Form a syndicate with your mates, ‘buy’ an auctioned yabby and try your luck in one of the 4 iconic races.

Stonehenge Bushman’s Carnival – Stonehenge hosted the inaugural Queensland Bronco Branding competition in 1991. Bronco branding is an Australian sport created to replicate the traditional methods of branding cattle in the bush. The Stonehenge annual 3 day event held in August, includes Team Penning, Rodeo, Horse and Bike Gymkhana, Bronco Branding and Stockman’s Challenge. A great weekend for young and old!

Barcoo Spring Fling – Watch Jundah come alive in pink as the Jundah Race Club host their annual three day event raising money for local breast cancer support groups. Enjoy Barrel Racing, QH Sprint Racing, Rodeo and the Jundah Cup Race Day over three family fun days!

APRIL

ANZAC Day

MAY

Windorah Yellowbelly Hunt

Labour Day Long Weekend each year

JULY

Windorah Gymkhana & Bronco Branding

AUGUST

Windorah Campdraft Rodeo

Stonehenge Bushman’s Carnival

SEPTEMBER

Windorah International Yabby Races

Wednesday night before Birdsville Races each year

Jundah Horse & Motorbike Sports

OCTOBER

Barcoo Spring Fling

For more information on all events held within the Barcoo Shire please visit our Events Page www.visitbarcoo.com.au/events

Directory

HEALTHCARE

EMERGENCY 000

NURSING ADVICE 24/7 13 HEALTH

JUNDAH CLINIC

Jundah Primary Health Centre (PHC)

P: 4658 6500 | F: 4658 6599

STONEHENGE CLINIC

Located at Stonehenge

Community Centre

P: 4658 5857 | F: 4658 5859

WINDORAH CLINIC

Windorah Primary Health Centre (PHC)

P: 4656 6100 | F: 4656 6199

LONGREACH

Longreach Hospital

P: 4658 4700 | F: 4658 4759

ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE –

CHARLEVILLE BASE

RFDS Medical Emergency/

Consultation

(1300 MY RFDS) | 1300 697 337

Reception/Appointment: 4656 5900

Contact Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Charleville Base for appointments. Only open on days RFDS flies in.

POLICE

EMERGENCY 000

JUNDAH (QGAP)

19 Dickson Street

P: 4652 5115

E: jundah.station@police.qld.gov.au

WINDORAH (QGAP)

12 Maryborough Street

P: 4652 5122 | F: 4656 3172

E: windorah.station@police.qld.gov.au

LONGREACH (QGAP)

97 Galah St, Longreach

P: 4652 5200

AIR SERVICES

REX REGIONAL EXPRESS

www.rex.com.au | 13 17 13

POST OFFICE

FOOD AND FUEL

JUNDAH

JUNDAH ROADHOUSE (24 hour fuel)

P: 4658 6115

JUNDAH HOTEL

P: 4658 6166

STONEHENGE

JUNDAH

ACCOMMODATION

JUNDAH CARAVAN PARK

Manager: 4658 6166

JUNDAH HOTEL

8-12 Dickson Street

P: 4658 6166 | F: 4658 6166 Hotel Public Phone: 4658 6108

STONEHENGE

ACCOMMODATION

STONEHENGE HOTEL

11 Stratford Street

P: 4658 5944 | F: 4658 5895

E: stonehengehotelqld@gmail.com

WINDORAH

ACCOMMODATION

COOPER CABINS

11 Edward Street

P: 4656 3101 | F: 4656 3090

WESTERN STAR HOTEL

15 Albert Street

P: 4656 3166 | M: 0455 555 752

F: 4656 3103 | UHF 40

E: admin@westernstarhotel.biz www.westernstarhotel.com.au

WINDORAH CARAVAN PARK

No bookings taken

P: 4656 3063

STONEHENGE HOTEL (Fuel available)

P: 4658 5944

WINDORAH

WINDORAH OUTBACK SHOP (Fuel available)

P: 4656 3145

WESTERN STAR HOTEL

P: 4656 3166

WINDORAH SERVICE STATION

(6am - 6pm fuel available)

P: 4656 3143

SERVICES

SMILEY’S TRANSPORT

Jundah QLD 4736

P: 0429 420 169

RACQ SERVICE PROVIDER

15 Stratford Street

P: 4157 2522 | M: 0417 710 429

E: judystone@bigpond.com

Windorah Visitor Information Centre

7 Maryborough St, Windorah Q 4481

Phone (07) 4656 3063

windorahinfo@barcoo.qld.gov.au

Stonehenge Community Centre

Stratford St, Stonehenge Q 4730 Phone (07) 4651 8101

stonehengeinfo@barcoo.qld.gov.au

Jundah Information Centre

Dickson Street Jundah Q 4736 Phone (07) 4658 6930

jundahinfo@barcoo.qld.gov.au