Yowah Town Book - 2024

Welcome to yowah

Meet the community where the opal is king and most of the residents are small-scale miners. Discover the story of Australia’s national gem, the opal. Fossick for opals and join a whole host of local activities while you are in town.

Top things to do in Yowah

Test your skills on the 9 hole golf course • Fossick for opals in the public fossicking area

Explore the ‘living gallery’ of wonderful opal displays • Place a bet on the bore drain duck race

• Soak up the benefits of Artesian waters with a hot bore bath • Spot local birdlife.

THAT’S NOT A ROCK

Discover the story of Australia’s national gem in Yowah. Spend a few days exploring this ‘living gallery’ with its distinctive opal galleries dotted around the town. The main attraction for this area is the unique Yowah Nut. You guessed it, the opal is formed naturally like a nut and many visitors would disregard them as simply a rock. Experienced opal miners will often crack open thousands of nuts to find gem colour. These regularly sell for thousands of dollars. While in Yowah, you can try your hand at fossicking in an area adjacent to town.

THE LOCAL TOUCH

Back in town you may fancy a round of golf? The local course offers an open-air clubhouse, sandy greens and fairways. Then meet the locals at the community fireside barbeque. If you are in town on a Saturday, then be sure to head to the Tailgaters Stall open 10am – 2pm during tourist season. Expect to be awed by the range of opals and locally produced craft on sale.

SPA ANYONE?

Round off your day with a relaxing soak in a hot Artesian Bore Bath at the ‘Artesian Waters Caravan Park’. Or, if you like a few more bubbles, then head to the Yowah Artesian Spa. There are two pools, the first warmer than the second. What’s not to love about a good bath at the end of the day? Invigorate your body and soul in these naturally heated mineral waters listening to the sounds of the Outback.

the start of yoWAH

The origins of the name ‘Yowah’ have long been forgotten. However, it was named because of the nearby Yowah Creek.

Around 1875 Cobb & Co had a change station at the creek.

Although there are no documents, it is generally accepted that the Yowah opal field was discovered by a Mr. Rossiter. Mr. Rossiter was the manager of the registered mine on the Yowah Creek. It was registered in Charleville on 1st September 1884 for 21 years at a cost of 10 pounds per annum.

The Southern Cross Mine was owned by a syndicate which was led by Mr Herbert Bond.

The first 5x3 chain claims were pegged on the 4th October 1897. By this time miners were beginning to spread to Duck Creek, Sheep Station Creek and the Black Gate fields.

The miners lived about four miles SE of where the present town is situated.

Building began here around 1912 when the first Government bore was sunk. Yowah is situated on the grazing property ‘Moolya’ which is owned by Mr Tom Fagan. The miners lived a rough and solitary life under the stars or in tents or bush huts. They had to carry their water for five miles from Sheep Station Creek. Whenever there was a severe drought they had to leave the area until it rained.

To sell their opals the miners had to wait for a buyer or take it away to sell. The illustrious ‘Eulo Queen’ was a well known buyer and ‘a friend to miners’. Due to the water shortage, it wasn’t until the 1960s that there were permanent residents in Yowah.

You’ve heard of the Yowah Nut, With the Fiery Opal Flame?

Now I’ll tell you the story Of how Yowah got its name

It was about the 1880s, Or the 90’s at the latest, When brothers Bill and George, Were travelling Queensland’s far South West.

FROM ‘THE TALE OF YOWAH’

BY JIMMY STEVENS

Yowah Bore

The Great Artesian Basin provides water for much of inland Australia, Yowah being one of these towns. Stretching over 1,700,000 square kilometres and covering 1/5th of Australia, the Great Artesian Basin is the largest aquifer in the world. With a temperature of water throughout the Basin varying from between 30 to 100 degrees Celsius the basin makes a great resource for fresh baths and spas.

A bore drain meanders through the centre of Yowah and you are encouraged to follow the Bore Drain Walk where the water flows into a man-made dam, perfect for a barbeque or a swim. This can also be accessed by car via the airport road. Underground pipes provide the Artesian water to the town. This bore is essential to Yowah’s existence.

Town Walk

While you are visiting the great opal field of Yowah take one of our heritage walks. There are many historic sites and see how the miners lived. Spend some time with a local and listen to the yarns of yesteryear. The walks are well marked and all begin and end at the Tom Fagan Park.

flora and fauna of Yowah

Located in the middle of a cattle station, this small town has everything you could ever need as well as every outback animal you could imagine.

Seeing cows roaming through town is not a rarity, after all this town is located in their home. You may see them taking a leisurely stroll or scratching on a lonely post.

Kangaroos and emus can be seen roaming around the town. What a wonderful sight to see native wildlife in their bush environment. Please remember to treat these natives in awe, with respect and from afar.

BIRD WATCHING IN YOWAH

Throughout the town wildlife is in abundance, creating the perfect habitat for wildlife viewing and bird watching.

Some of our local birds include brolgas, blue wrens, bustards, apostle birds and corellas.

Yowah opal festival

The Yowah Opal Festival is an annual event held on the third weekend in July.

This three day event starting Friday morning not only showcases opals, gem stones and crafts but also has activities to make the two days as fun-filled as possible.

EVENTS INCLUDE:

• Opal displays and stalls

• Live music and entertainment

• Guest speakers

• Raffles

• BBQs and meals from YOMCSI each night

• Licensed Bar

As well as the attractions Yowah has to offer all year round.

Information and stall bookings www.yowahfestival.com

The town of Yowah, although built on a cattle station, can be said it is in fact built on Opal and Opal Mining, with a free fossicking area in town and privately owned mines out behind the town. Yowah is an incredible place to look for, learn about and see the spectacle and natural miracle that are Yowah Opals. Within Yowah itself many types of opals are found, and special to us is the Yowah Nut, an ironstone encased opal.

Yowah Opal Mining Community Services Incorporated – Harlequin Drive.

YOMCSI provide community dinners and smoking area and new bar. Visitors welcome.

In the winter, April to October , Every Wednesday and Saturday evenings bar opens from 5pm- and choice of two meals from 6pm.

• Wednesday Carpet Bowls 3pm

• Tuesday Craft Group 10am

SATURDAY’S TAILGATERS STALL 10AM – 12PM

Expect to be awed by the range of opals and locally produced craft on sale.

the royal flying doctors

The first Flying Doctor to come to Yowah from Charleville was Dr. Tim O’Leary. In 1976 the miners built a medical room which housed the HF radio and the medical chest. This is now in the town library. A spectacular event is when the Royal Flying Doctor Service would practise night

landings, with the headlights of cars being used to light the air strip.

The first regular patrons were Anglican Bush Brothers who flew into Yowah and then rode a mini bike around the field.

Artesian Waters Caravan Park

The Artesian Waters Caravan Park is a great spot for visitors to stop and spend the night.

With six motel rooms and 1 deluxe cabin, 35 powered and unpowered sites, an amenities block, camp kitchen and laundry, this caravan park is comfortable, affordable and accommodating.

With an adjoining mini mart, post office, petrol station, communal area and Artesian baths to relax and watch the stars, this place has almost everything you could ever need.

DUCKS AND DINNER

Be sure to include the Thursday night Dinner and Duck Race in your itinerary. It’s held during tourist season at the Artesian Waters Caravan Park. You’ll enjoy a two-course dinner and the chance to bet on the unique bore drain duck race. This event raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Phone 07 4655

4991

Yowah Artesian Bore Baths

After a long day of mining, exploring, fossicking or just enjoying taking in the sites of Yowah, the best thing to do is relax.

And the best way to relax in Yowah is by enjoying a hot Artesian pool or two.

With two pools, the first warmer than the second, these pools, which are cleaned daily, are the perfect spot for relaxation and enjoying the serenity as the sound of the naturally heated water from the Artesian Basin falls from the mining hoist.

Entry $5 per person Any enquiries contact Adele 0427 304 530

Rural Transaction Centre

Yowah’s RTC is not only the Visitor Information Centre but is also the home of The Yowah Nut Café, a museum/gallery, library, internet café, laundry and accommodation. With hospitality in the air, the RTC can help you with almost anything you could ever desire or need. With a large deck out the front housing multiple chairs and tables, it is more than likely you will see a familiar, friendly face.

The Yowah Nut Café has a wide selection of deliciously fresh cooked meals and snacks.

Opened in August of 2014, the community and volunteer operated pools are kept between 34 and 41 degrees Celsius and open daily for your enjoyment.

ACCOMMODATION, FUEL & GROCERIES

Artesian Waters Caravan Park & Motel + ATM

P 07 4655 4991

yowahpark@gmail.com

Yowah Free Camping Area

Toilets/Showers Matrix Drive

directory

DINING

Yowah Nut Café

P 0455 727 359

Artesian Waters Caravan Park

P 07 4655 4991

YOMCSI

dennysharpe1226@gmail.com

RURAL TRANSACTION CENTRE

P 0439 665 029

LIBRARY

P 07 4655 7011

MEDICAL

Royal Flying Doctor Service

P 1300 697 337

GALLERIES & OPAL SHOPS

There are many galleries and opal shops in Yowah as you explore the streets. If you see an ‘opals for sale’ sign, drop in and have a browse.