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Matilda Highway
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Stretching more than 1700 kilometres from Cunnamulla to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Matilda Highway is custom-made for travellers keen for a taste of the Outback, its unique heritage, legendary hospitality and friendliness. |
The Matilda passes through an ever-changing landscape - from undulating Mulga plains in the south to open Mitchell grass plains and desert uplands in the central west and gulf plains in the north. There are picturesque billabongs and vast inland river systems, rugged gorges and escarpments and many scenic national parks.
The towns along the highway offer varied experiences for visitors, each with their own story and history as varied as the colourful Outback characters you'll encounter along the way. You'll also find authentic heritage attractions along the way.
Cunnamulla
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From the south, the first major town along the Matilda Highway is Cunnamulla on the banks of the Warego River with its wealth of historic sites, including the Post Office (1868), Trappers Inn, the Blacksmith, State School (1885) and Robber's Tree. Fossickers keen to try their luck can detour here for the loop to Eulo, Yowah and Quilpie, home of the boulder opal, rejoining the highway at Charleville. |
Charleville
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In Charleville, be sure to visit the historic Corones Hotel, a majestic remnant of the town's prosperous wool era, the National Parks Research Station, home of the Save the Bilby Fund and the Queensland Heritage Trails Network's Cosmos Centre and Observatory. It's here you'll find arguably the best star gazing conditions in the Southern Hemisphere. |
Tambo
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A couple of hours' drive away is Tambo. Tambo is a living museum of cultural history, making it a great place for you to experience the lifestyle and heritage of Australia's forebears. Step back in time and follow the Heritage Walk through town. Visit the workshop where Tambo Teddies are crafted from sheep skins. Follow the Coolibah Walk along the banks of the Barcoo where the native trees reach out across the river. |
Blackall
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The vibrant Outback township of Blackall is home of the original Black Stump and first artesian bore. Take a dip in the Aquatic Centre's heated spa waters and don't miss another Network attraction, the Blackall Woolscour, Australia's only remaining steam-driven woolscour. |
Barcaldine
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In the pretty town of Barcaldine, a special ghost gum called the Tree of Knowledge marks the site where the shearers met in 1891, laying foundations for the Australian Labor Party. Nearby, the Australian Workers Heritage Centre offers an impressive historical record of the contributions made by men, women and indigenous people to the development of Australia, covering everything from the shearers' strike to women in the war. |
Ilfracombe
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Between Barcaldine and Longreach lies the tiny township of Ilfracombe, originally called Wellshot after the famous station headquarters 60 kilometres south and famous as the 'end of the (rail) line' until 1982. Wellshot station is entered in the Guiness Book of Records for having the largest number of sheep on a single station (460,000 in 1892). Today, the town's memorabilia-filled Wellshot Hotel makes a welcome stop off point along your trip. |
Longreach
Winton
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In nearby Winton, the Waltzing Matilda Centre plays host to the ghost of Banjo Paterson and the legend surrounding the creation of a national song. South of Kynuna, explore the Combo Waterhole Conservation Park, believed to have inspired Banjo Paterson to write Waltzing Matilda. A 40 minute return walk from the car park leads to picturesque waterholes on the Diamantina River, perfect for a picnic. Also well worth the one hour detour is a visit to the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways, believed to be the world's only preserved dinosaur stampede. |
Kynuna and McKinlay
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Further north, the Outback becomes a land of vast plains which stretch to the horizon. The towns of Kynuna and McKinlay have real outback character. Here you'll come across the Walkabout Creek in McKinlay, famous as the pub setting for Paul Hogan's 1986 smash hit movie, Crocodile Dundee. |
Cloncurry
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In Cloncurry, home the Royal Flying Doctor (RFDS) at John Flynn Place, the Portrait of Cloncurry, a visitor orientation exhibition, will present an understanding of the history, heritage and local characters of this town that prides itself as the 'Friendly Heart of the Great North West'. |
Burke and Wills Junction
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From here it's 200 kilometres to the Burke and Wills Junction, ideal for a rest stop before continuing onto Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, the final town on the Matilda Highway and gateway to the Gulf. From here, more adventures beckon with the Gulf offering a myriad of experiences - everything from fishing and Queensland Rail's unique Gulflander train journey to lakes and rivers with birdlife.
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