Touring Australia Summer 2016/17 Touring Australia | Page 94

QLD

Whether you are seeking an action packed holiday in the
outback or a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of city
life, Quilpie Shire is the place for you to visit!
The Quilpie Shire encompasses an area of 67, 485 square
kilometres with a population of 1057. Primary industries play a
huge role in the Shire’s economy with sheep, cattle, fish and an
array of birds and wildlife calling the Shire home.
Start your visit at the Quilpie Visitor Information Centre,
Museum and Gallery where the friendly local staff will introduce
you to the attractions of the region as well as the history and
the culture. The Centre showcases everything you need to know
about the Shire and features an indoor interactive Museum
proudly displaying the rugged history of the early pioneers and a
Shire Gallery featuring accomplished artists from far and wide.
Catch up with friends and family in air conditioned
comfort by utilising the free Wi-Fi facilities available at the
centre. Located next door is the Quilpie Shire Military History
Museum, where you can learn about the very long and proud
Military History of the Quilpie Shire.
Travelling to Quilpie is almost as easy as going from Brisbane
to Sydney, with a lot less traffic. You can drive on sealed roads
with regular stops for fuel and supplies, fly on the plane
from Brisbane twice a week or catch the Westlander train to
Charleville and the connecting bus to Quilpie.

Quilpie is a central base from where you
can fossick for opals, discover amazing
birdlife or throw a line in the Bulloo River
Admire the murals and sculptures in the main street and
view the outback art at various locations throughout the Shire.
Witness the true beauty of the boulder opal with a visit to St
Finbarr’s Church. The Alter, Font and Lectern are all adorned
with this beautiful local gemstone. Lake Houdraman is a
beautiful expanse of water where you can relax under a shady
tree watching the birdlife and Baldy Top Lookout is the perfect
spot to capture the wonder that is an Outback Sunset.
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The town of Quilpie is a central base from where you can
fossick for opals, discover the amazing birdlife, throw a line
in the Bulloo River or even plan day trips to the surrounding
townships of Toompine – the Pub with no town, Eromanga as
the furthest town from the sea, Adavale with the stunning Hell
Hole Gorge National Park and Cheepie once a Cobb. & Co.
change station.
Toompine is located 80 kilometres south of Quilpie with a
population of 2. The sign at this old Cobb. & Co. staging post
says it all: Toompine – the Pub with no town! This outback
pub is over 100 years old but its quirky features is the reason so
many people visit each year. Toompine is also a great spot from
where you can visit local fossicking areas Duck Creek & Sheep
Station Creek.
Eromanga is 108 kilometres west of Quilpie and has a
population of 45. It is renowned for being the furthest town
from the sea in Australia, for the oil production in the area and
for ‘Cooper’, Australia’s largest dinosaur who was discovered on
a station outside Eromanga. You can visit ‘Cooper’ and some of
his prehistoric mates at the Eromanga Natural History Museum
located 3km from Eromanga. This working Museum runs 4
tours a day, 7 days a week.
The old Royal Hotel, built in 1885, is one of the original
buildings in Eromanga and was once a Cobb. & Co. staging
post. A community BBQ is held every Saturday night so if
you are in town be sure to join in the fun and meet some of
the friendly locals. The Living History Centre in town features
a theatre room with a film of the local community members
telling of the history of Eromanga and the keys can be collected
from the Royal Hotel. Next door to the Centre is a covered
playground and park with a stunning mining memorial inlaid
with opal; perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
Adavale is 96km north of Quilpie and is the gateway to the
National Parks located within the Quilpie Shire. Adavale was
once the centre of the Adavale Shire and an important town in
western Queensland. Learn about the history of this little town
at the Shire Hall building, Police Hut Museum. Mini Museum

touring australia magazine • summer 2017