isisford

Discover why Isisford on the Outer Barcoo is such a popular destination for long-stay campers. A featured town along the Barcoo Way adventure drive, the town attracts visitors from all over Australia seeking a true outback experience. The locals are friendly, facilities are great and the food’s top notch. But here’s a few more reasons to visit...

Eavesdrop On Some Aussie History

There’s something about Isisford and the Outer Barcoo. It’s been the inspiration for many an Australian poet including Banjo Paterson. The magnificent two storey Clancy’s Overflow Hotel was said to have been re-named in honour of Banjo’s iconic poem. If you are interested in stories of how places came to be by default, then plan a visit to Whitman’s Museum. Put quite simply, the Whitman brothers broke an axle while attempting to cross the Barcoo. They decided to settle on the banks of the river and proceeded to establish a hotel, butcher’s shop, store and saddlery to service surrounding stations. Many of the original buildings still stand today. It’s easy to picture life in more gentler times as you stroll Isisford’s heritage streetscape.

SNAG A YELLOWBELLY

It’s hard to miss the Outback’s biggest Yellowbelly glistening in the sunlight as you arrive into town. It measures 12 metres long and stands a lofty five metres high. Look closely and you’ll discover windmill parts, corrugated iron and thousands of pop rivets gathered from surrounding properties. This impressive metal art sculpture is a celebration of the Yellowbelly Fishing Competition held annually on the last weekend of July. The event is held at Oma Waterhole and it draws masses of keen anglers from across the country.

Delve Into The Barcoo

Oma Waterhole is one of many permanent waterholes fed by the muchcelebrated Barcoo River. It’s a favourite recreation spot for lovers of camping, fishing and most things water related. There’s even a boat ramp. Overnight campers appreciate access to the hot showers and toilet facilities. Find it on the Isisford Yaraka River Road, just 16km from Isisford.

Back in town, saunter down to the Barcoo Weir, also a popular camping site. It was built back in 1934 to provide greater water security for the community. A pipeline linking Oma Waterhole to the Weir was constructed in 1960. No doubt a much more appealing water source for the locals than in earlier times when water was sourced from rain catchment or by hauling supplies from the local waterholes.

Man Vs Food

580mm long x 180mm wide! The Yellowbelly Burger is made from enough dough to make 2 ½ loaves of bread, 2kg of mince, 6 rashers of bacon, homemade relish and loads of salad, served with a side of chips. Contact the Whitman’s Cafe to order for a group or join the individual challenge to devour one yourself!

07 4658 8133

1 Outer Barcoo Interpretive Centre

2 Whitman’s Memorial Museum

3 Historic Buildings: Hooper & Brunkhorst | Butcher | Bakery

4 The old Isis Downs Workshop

5 Sporting Complex: Swimming Pool | Tennis Court | Skate Park

6 Isisford District Hospital Museum & Multipurpose Centre

7 Nature Walks and Trails

8 Golf Club

9 Big Yellowbelly Sculpture

OUTER BARCOO INTERPRETATION CENTRE –DISCOVER AN ANCIENT CROCODILE

Did you know that the evolutionary ancestor of all crocodilians lived 95-98 million years ago? Visit the Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre to view a lifesized replica of ‘Isisfordia Duncani’; it predates the first recorded appearance of true crocodiles by over 30 million years! The first fossils of Isisfordia were found in the mid-1990s by the former Deputy Mayor of Isisford, Ian Duncan, after whom the species is named. Researchers claim that Isisfordia was only a metre long and would have lived in a swampy river delta that opened into a large inland sea. There’s plenty more to the story along with other fossil discoveries, so be sure to visit the centre when you’re in town.