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BARCALDINE DOWNS Tourism

About BARCALDINE DOWNS

Barcaldine, Queensland, Australia

Sitting in the sun, being serenaded by a Country Ballad Duo it's hard to believe that I'm actually working! I stumbled upon Barcaldine by accident as I was “just passing through”. I could so easily have missed this rural treasure that is certainly worthy of a visit.

When coming to Barcaldine, don't expect to stay “just the night”, there is too much to experience as you will see in this article.

Barcaldine

The Barcaldine township has a population of 1600 people who share the Shire with 4 other townships and is located 1215 kms North West of Brisbane, 580 kms West of Rockhampton.
Barcaldine was established in 1886 and is famed for the Great Shearer's Strike of 1891.
The town is home to the “Tree of Knowledge” that was an inspirational place for the striking shearers. The community treats its visitors royally and encourages them to immerse themselves in the local culture and community events. The town has developed an innovative program to involve travellers whom they encourage to get involved with their “Grey Nomads Volunteer Project” where travellers can meet, learn and work with community groups. A “must see” for visitors is the Australian Workers Heritage Centre.(www.australianworkersheritagecentre.com.au or 07 4651 1579).

This facility features exhibitions that focus on the people who have contributed to the area through their work and services – Postal, Education, Power, Roads, Emergency Services and the first stage project “Women in Australia's Working History” which features an exhibition entitled “a Lot on Her Hands”.

The complex also includes many historic buildings that have been relocated to Barcaldine and include the Artesia Railway Station (Kunwarara), Police Watch House (Toogoolawah) and the One Teacher School (Torrens Creek).

Even the kids will enjoy the visit! There is an Artesian Bore & Billabong for them to explore and a children's playground to tire them out.

One of the “Artesian Country Tours” ( www.artesiancountrytours.com.au or 07 4651 2211) is something to do that is highly recommended. Your guide will be Tom Leckie who offers visitors to Central Western Queensland an unforgettable experience through his one to five day tours. You will leave Barcaldine knowing you have discovered country hospitality at its best, and have seen ancient aboriginal art & travelled the roads of explorers, first settlers, drovers, shearers, teamsters, swaggies & Cobb & Co. Tom offers visitor a totally unique and unforgettable experience. He has been operating tours for the past 20 years and has sole access to some of the most culturally and historically significant sites in Queensland.


Accommodation Barcaldine

I found Barcaldine “Homestead Caravan Park” (www.homesteadcvpark.com.au or 07 4651 1308) an ideal setting for my work (and play) and the owners, Ben & Thanh have created an incredibly friendly and accommodating respite from the city for myself and other travellers of all ages.
Most nights, a country ballad duo and a bush poet provide entertainment, from about 4:30 pm, there’s approximately 2 hours of free entertainment for the guests!

I was fortunate to be entertained by “Tappin Teddy Thompson and Alan Luscombe” who perform Australian Bush Ballads that focus on rural people, their lifestyle and history of the outback.
The duo were very entertaining and reflected the typical humor and friendliness of country folk.

Every day in the late afternoon during winter Ben and Thanh prepare the campfire at the park. As the coals settle to a hot glow, the damper and billy tea is prepared the outback way. This has been a grand tradition at Barcaldine’s Homestead Caravan Park for more than two decades and people from all parts of Australia have enjoyed the great Aussie welcome. I found this the perfect venue to meet other travelers and to swap yarns for a short while before being regaled by a local bushman Tom Lockie, who tells yarns, jokes and bush poems. Tom has a wealth of knowledge about the area and the people who helped to establish this delightful community. Tom also operates “Artesian Country Tours”.

After the entertainment, park residents were offered the opportunity to purchase a Chinese meal for a very reasonable cost, prepared by Thanh – I found this a welcome break from cooking for myself! This service is offered twice each week.

Apart from the Homestead Caravan Park, there are 6 hotels in town (most offering accommodation), 5 motels, a couple of self-contained cottages as well as 3 caravan parks offering powered sites or cabins. The town has all the usual facilities that you might require during your stay. The hotels offer a variety of meals in their restaurants.

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