EIDSVOLD

A NEAT AND TIDY TOWN 35KM NORTHWEST OF MUNDUBBERA ON THE BURNETT HIGHWAY (A3). THE TOWN OF CRACOW IS 93KM TO THE WEST. EIDSVOLD IS THE SELF-PROCLAIMED BEEF CAPITAL OF THE BURNETT AND IS A HUB FOR THE REGIONAL CATTLE INDUSTRY. REGINALD MURRAY WILLIAMS AUSTRALIA BUSH LEARNING CENTRE

Burnett Highway (on the south side of town) (07) 4165 7272 | info@rmwilliamscentre.com.au www.rmwilliamscentre.com.au

Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area around Eidsvold was home to the Wakka Wakka Aboriginal people. Founded in 1848 the town takes its name from Eidsvoll, Norway where the European settlers Thomas and Charles Archer came from. They established large stations which they called Eidsvold and Coonambula. In the 1880s Eidsvold emerged as a bustling gold mining town supporting a population of over 2,000 with 15 hotels catering for thirsty diggers. The area developed as a hub for citrus, agriculture, timber and cattle. The town and surrounding countryside offer visitors a rich tapestry of Australian heritage and bush traditions together with a wealth of Indigenous culture, wildlife and natural beauty.

Eidsvold Historical Museum is home to a fine collection of historic homes including ‘Knockbreak’ Homestead, Riverleigh Cottage which houses memorabilia including the Eidsvold Soldiers Corner, a display of photographs, medals and equipment from various wars, traditional owner artefacts, slates and desks and other school equipment, a manual telephone exchange and the original Clonave Homestead. The museum also houses the George Schafer Geological Collection and the Schultz and Duncan Bottle Collection. To make an appointment to view the museum please contact the Eidsvold Historical Society on (07) 4165 0895.

Archer Homestead was home to the pioneering Archer brothers from Norway and rests on the banks of the Burnett River. Situated 8km west of Eidsvold the homestead can be viewed by appointment by contacting the Eidsvold Historical Society.

Here is a real piece of rural Australia and its good manners. The Alice Maslen’s Hitching Rail is located in the main street. It was erected by the local council as recently as 1980. At the time Alice was an old woman who, in the age of the motor car, still brought her horse and sulky into town. She was a real remnant of the 19th century.

TOWN OF EIDSVOLD

Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre

EIDSVOLD CARAVAN PARK ✩✩✩

„ Ensuite Cabins „ Powered Sites „ Non-Powered Sites „ Clean Amenities „ Covered BBQ Area „ Communal Fridge „ Microwave „ Laundry Facilities „ Dump Point 400m „ Pets on Application „ Central Location

3 Esplanade St, Eidsvold QLD 4627 P: (07) 4165 1168 E: eidsvoldcaravanpark@northburnett.qld.gov.au

Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre

Sightseeing

REGINALD MURRAY WILLIAMS AUSTRALIAN BUSH LEARNING CENTRE One of Australia’s true icons, RM Williams was born in South Australia and in 1955 moved to ‘Rockybar’, a property west of Eidsvold until 1972. Some of his descendants still live in the district today. The centre brings the past to life, the bush, and rural Australia, the backbone of our proud land. Make a point of staying overnight in Eidsvold to view the free light show every night.

A place of stark contrasts, unsurpassed beauty, warm welcomes, big hearts, indominable spirit and tenacious character. An unforgiving environment that has forged this country’s identity, spurred innovation and shaped legends and lives. Legends like RM Williams, whose spirit lives on in Eidsvold’s history and whose name graces a centre dedicated to preserving and cultivating the area’s unique bush culture. The Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre was purpose built to honour this great Australian, showcase his skills and achievements, and bring his passion for bush tradition to life.

The centre provides a window into a history of inspirational stories, of real people and their contribution to our remarkable past. Here you

Local Knowledge

Combine a visit to the Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre with a tour of the Eidsvold Museum and Archer Homestead to learn about the rich pastoral history of the region – it is very interesting!

Son et Lumiere - Light and Sound Show. This outdoor show is held daily, projected onto the Language of the Land Sculpture. For show times contact the Centre. The show shares stories of RM Williams, local drovers, story tellers and bush poets.

can learn of traditional and contemporary bush ways and soak up our local and Indigenous history. Through this place RM Williams’ deep and abiding love of the bush lives on.

We invite you to take a journey of discovery and learn about our culture, history and arts. Here unfolds the story of RM Williams the man, all he stood for and the essence of his genius. Our interpretive centre also shares stories of local Indigenous people and showcases an ever-changing array of artistic displays and artefacts. RM had a profound respect for the Aboriginal people with whom he lived and worked during his life, and local Aboriginal culture is an integral part of the Centre’s essence.

Training workshops in leatherwork, silver jewellery making and other more contemporary skills are on offer throughout the year. The centre hosts outdoor activities such as authentic camp oven meals, bush poetry evenings and special events throughout the year, as well as the biennial Bush Spirit Festival. Check the website for details The Centre also hosts a pet-friendly, self-contained RV Stop for $10 per van a night.

The Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre is at 23767 Gayndah-Monto Road on the Burnett Highway (A3) on the south side of Eidsvold, 425km north of Brisbane and 168km west of Bundaberg.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4.30pm (closed for lunch 12pm – 12.30pm). Weekends and Public Holidays 10.00am – 2.00pm; Closed New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day. Subject to change. P (07) 4165 7272 E info@rmwilliamscentre.com.au www.rmwilliamscentre.com.au

Tolderodden Conservation Park

Sightseeing

STONE PITCHED BRIDGES Stone pitched bridges are located west of Eidsvold on the Camboon Defence Road, 78km west of Eidsvold. Marvel at the hard work put into their construction. The bridges are no longer suitable for traffic but they still stand honouring the people who toiled to build them.

TOLDERODDEN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PARK Picnic or camp under the Moreton Bay Ash trees on the banks of the Burnett River. The area caters for a variety of camping experiences from tents to large motor homes. Camping permits are required and fees apply – a tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site. Domestic animals are not permitted in the park. Located on the Cracow Road 7km from Eidsvold, the camping area features shady, grassy camp sites in an open eucalypt forest. Pit toilets (do not empty chemical toilets into this facility), picnic tables, wood barbeques and rubbish bins as well as tank water (boil before using) are available in the park. Open fires are permitted however fuel stoves are recommended. For further information P: 137 468.

CERATODUS REST AREA 10km north of Eidsvold on the Burnett Highway (A3) the Ceratodus Rest Area houses memorabilia from the old Ceratodus railway siding. Sheltered picnic tables, free electric barbeque, good clean facilities are provided – this is just the place for a lazy lunch and walk along the banks of the Burnett River. Ceratodus is the Queensland Lungfish which is only found in the Burnett and Mary Rivers. A cairn to commemorate the Traylan Native Police Barracks takes pride of place in the grounds.

Eidsvold Museum

Eat North Burnett

Eidsvold is the self-proclaimed Beef Capital of the Burnett and is a hub for the regional cattle industry.

Fishing enthusiasts can hope to throw in a pot and find Red Claw in Wuruma Dam and along the Burnett River. Fun Fact for selecting bait to put in your pot – Red Claw are primarily vegetarian! Red Claw are best enjoyed like other shellfish, cooked fresh on the barbeque, in the pot or camp oven with seasoning and flavours of your choice, and accompanied with a refreshing beverage.

Wuruma Dam

Fishing & Boating

WURUMA DAM Wuruma Dam is located on the Nogo River 47km from Eidsvold. Take the Burnett Highway (A3) 19km north to the Abercorn turnoff and follow the Wuruma Dam Road for 28km. Water sports include water skiing, power boating, canoeing, sailing, fishing and swimming. Stocked fish include Golden Perch, Silver Perch, Australian Bass, Barramundi and Saratoga. There are breeding populations of Eel-tailed Catfish, Spangled Perch and Eels. Facilities include sheltered picnic tables, toilets and a boat ramp. A 200m exclusion zone for boating exists from the dam wall. Camping is permitted in the designated area for stays up to two weeks. Open fires are not allowed and visitors are allowed to bring their own non-wood fired barbeques.