Miles and District

Miles and District Experience the vibrancy of our district by joining us at our Beef, Bells and Bottle Tree Festival, a month long showcase.

Walk the ‘main street’ of the unique Miles Historical Village and Museum and immerse yourself in culture at Dogwood Crossing.

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Miles • Condamine • Dulacca • Drillham Miles • 1,450

Condamine • 135

We were established on a track blazed by the explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt. Our town was known as ‘Dogwood Crossing’ before it was changed in 1878 in honour of William Miles. For a small country town we are sure you will be impressed by our A-class regional art gallery, housed in the cultural hub of our community, Dogwood Crossing Miles.

The gallery is testament to our active and vibrant local arts community. The unusual architecture of Dogwood Crossing Miles dominates our main street. Please come and hear the tales we have recorded on an electronic quilt. Dogwood Crossing Miles also houses our library and IT centre where you can access the internet.

‘Good times on the banks of the Condamine’ pretty much sums us up with our township located on the Condamine River. We are the birthplace of the Condamine ‘Bullfrog’ Bell, which was initially designed and made here back in 1868. You can take a photo with the giant replica we have erected in Condamine Bell Park.

The Miles Historical Village and Museum houses over thirty restored buildings filled with authentic memorabilia. When you walk the main street of the Village you can imagine what life was like over one hundred years ago. A huge shell display, world class lapidary display, and extensive War Museum also ensure that our past is well preserved for future generations. ...imagine what life was like over one hundred years ago...

Spring is when the landscape really comes alive with an abundant wildflower display. Follow our self-drive tours to see the wildflowers in season. You can pick up a guide at the Visitor Information Centre located at the Miles Historical Village and Museum.

To stretch the legs, stroll along the Dogwood Creek Walking Track, which starts at Chinaman’s Lagoon, to see rare pink water lilies and the original town cemetery.

If you’re keen for something unique you can stay overnight at Possum Park, north of Miles en-route to Wandoan. It was the site of a top secret bomb store in World War II, but has now been converted into unique self-contained accommodation, a caravan park, and ample camping area.

Columboola Country, east of Miles, is another unique place to stay with cabins and plenty of camping area alongside a large natural rock hole lagoon.

If you are an avid news reader you will already know that Miles falls within an energy province known as the “Surat Basin”. Evidence of the plentiful natural gas resource that lies beneath us can be seen from the road as you drive through our district. If you are passing through at night, keep your eye out for the bright lights of the Condamine Power Station, located 8kms east of Miles.

Collect guides to all our drives, walks, eateries and other accommodation at the Miles Visitor Information Centre.

We’re rugby mad in Condamine with three local rugby teams. Not bad considering our town population is only about 135 people. Join us to watch the Condamine Cods at a weekend match.

If you haven’t had any success catching a Murray Cod in the Condamine River, we recommend you book a tour of our fish farm through the ‘Condy Pub’.

Cattle production is significant in our region. You can experience life on a cattle property with an overnight stay at Nelgai Farm B&B.

Dulacca • 120 We are located directly west of Drillham on the Warrego Highway. Our town was also established when the railway was being built and was named after nearby Dulacca Station. Believe it or not, our ancestors were some of Australia’s first ‘greenies’.

We were the site of the first push to eradicate the prickly pear, when the government of the day had a reward of 40,000 hectares of land to anyone that could restore their land to its original state. ...our ancestors were some of Australia’s first ‘greenies’...

Drillham • 70 Heading west on the Warrego Highway, from Miles, the first settlement you will come to is Drillham. Drillham Creek provided water for steam locomotives for the railway.

Today the creek is more fondly used by locals as a fishing spot.

Around Drillham we grow a wide variety of grain crops including sorghum and wheat.

Our locally grown livestock is well known in the cattle industry. If you don’t know what sorghum looks like, it’s a summer crop with copper colour bulbs and cattle love to eat it.

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Beef, Bells & Bottle Tree Festival

Things to see and do...

Is a month long biennial festival showcasing the vitality of our district. The festival aims to celebrate and promote a sense of community for residents and visitors to Miles and District. It encompasses a variety of exciting activities capturing arts, culture, heritage, education, sport, agriculture and environment. Art Exhibitions, Aussie Sports Day, Bike Ride, Blue Light Disco, Bull Sales, Bush Poetry, Champagne Fun Run, Country Music, Devonshire Teas & Collectables Display, Garden Day, Power Station Site Visits (exclusive to the festival program), Rodeo, Spring Concert, Thanksgiving Service (inter-denominational), Theatre Performances, Wildflower Tours and ‘Learn To’ Workshops, such as Blacksmithing and Kite Making are just some of the activities held over the month. Beef, Bells & Bottle Tree Festival has something for everyone, so come and join in the fun!

 Visit Miles Historical Museum and Village and marvel at the streetscape of replica and authentic buildings

Condamine Rodeo & Campdraft Hosted by a small community, the Condamine Rodeo & Campdraft is a huge event drawing crowds and competitors from across the state. Held in October each year, the weekend program includes a rodeo and campdraft followed by live entertainment, that goes well into the night. The Condamine Rodeo & Campdraft one of the most popular events on the circuit. Camping facilities are available for those wanting to camp on site.

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 Spend some time at Dogwood Crossing, the hub of Miles housing the local art gallery, IT centre and library  Take the walk along Chinaman’s Lagoon and see a splendid display of rare pink water lilies (seasonal)  Enjoy the tranquility of Dogwood Creek by taking the Dogwood Creek Walking Track  Follow the Gurulmundi Wildflower Trail and see native wildflowers in bloom (seasonal)  Go fishing at Dogwood Creek or Gil Weir  Explore the townships of Miles and Condamine by taking one of our popular Self Drive Tours  See a large replica of the famous Condamine ‘Bullfrog’ Bell at Condamine Bell Park  Camp overnight at Caliguel Lagoon and enjoy a spot of fishing the next day  Drop a line in the Condamine River  See the monument commemorating those lost in past floods at the Condamine Flood Boat Historical Site  Stop and rest at Roy Henderson Park and find the Dulacca War Memorial  Delve into Drillham’s past and visit the Drillham Creek Historical Site  Find a shady spot and throw a line into Drillham Creek ...why not tick them off as you go

Miles Town

What to do in a day...

Awaken to the sweet singing of birds at sunrise enticing you to explore our outdoors. As you stroll along Chinaman’s Lagoon you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the breathtaking rare pink water lilies nestled in a backdrop of picturesque beauty. The aromatic flavours of homestyle country cooking at one of our friendly eateries will satisfy your appetite as you head into an adventurous day in our town. Our state of the art cultural centre, Dogwood Crossing Miles, offers a relaxing environment as you wander through our most recent exhibition in the John Mullins Memorial Art Gallery, or hear of our local tales with the interactive touch panels adjacent to the library.

Treat yourself to a deserving cuppa and delights nearby in our famous bakery, before discovering the original town cemetery along the peaceful Dogwood Creek Walking Track. A packed picnic lunch in a local park provides the ideal opportunity to plan your Miles Self Drive Tour for the following day. We’re proud of our Miles Historical Village and Museum, which has one of the country’s most diverse displays of historical buildings and possessions.

As you return from your evening meal, absorb the blue hallow of Dogwood Crossing Miles, with its prominent features showcased against the stunning night sky and crystal clear stars.

We recommend you visit these destinations in Miles 1

Miles Historical Village & Museum

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Dogwood Crossing

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Chinaman’s Lagoon

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Dogwood Creek Walking Track

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Historical Site - Old Town Cemetery

Did you know?

Miles was originally known as Dogwood Crossing before it was changed in 1878.

The Condamine ‘Bullfrog’ Bell first made in 1868 by Samuel Jones, was named a Queensland Heritage Icon in 2004.

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