Barcaldine
Town
Population 1338
This pastoral and rail town is located some 100 kilometres east of Longreach. Known as the ‘Garden City of the West’, it was the first Australian town to tap the waters of the Great Artesian Basin, an event commemorated by the town’s giant windmill. After the 1891 Shearers' Strike, the Australian Labor Party was born here.
Visitor Information
Oak St; (07) 4651 1724
Nearby national parks
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Idalia National Park
Set in the Gowan Range in central western Queensland, Idalia National Park is a dry, remote wilderness. Although the park encompasses the...more -
Carnarvon National Park
Tucked away in this vast, rambling park in Queensland’s Central Highlands is the magnificent Carnarvon Gorge. Boasting towering white...more
Nearby towns
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Aramac
Aramac is a small service town west of the Great Dividing Range. The town was named by explorer William Landsborough; the name is an...more -
Blackall
Blackall is west of the Great Dividing Range in sheep and cattle country, and was home to the legendary sheep-shearer Jackie Howe. In 1892...more -
Longreach
Longreach is the largest town in central-west Queensland. Lying on the Tropic of Capricorn, this 'boom and bust' country is affected by...more
In Town
Australian Workers Heritage Centre This centre is a tribute to the working men and women of Australia – the shearers, teachers, policemen and other workers who helped build the nation. The interpretive displays also cover the events leading to the formation of the Labor Party. Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat, 10am–4pm Sun and public holidays; Ash St; (07) 4651 2422.Tree of Knowledge: was a large ghost gum, which stood outside the railway station. It was fatally poisoned in 2006, but is being preserved and will be placed inside an $8 million memorial; Oak St. Folk Museum: display of historical memorabilia from the area; Cnr Gidyea and Beech sts. Roses 'n' Things: sit among over 800 roses of various varieties while enjoying Devonshire tea; Coolibah St. National Trust–classified buildings: Masonic lodge, Beech St; Anglican church, Elm St; shire hall, Ash St. Murals and musical instruments: Barcaldine is home to several murals including one painted by the late D'Arcy Doyle. There are also 2 musical instruments in the parks, which visitors are free to play; Oak St. Between the Bougainvilleas Heritage Trail: this award-winning heritage trail showcases Barcaldine's varied and colourful history; details from visitor centre. Artesian Country tours: including some to Aboriginal carvings and caves; details from visitor centre. Bike hire: a gold coin donation will allow you to cycle around the town at your own leisure and take in all the sites.
Nearby
Bicentennial Park: has botanical walk through bushland; Blackall Rd; 9 km S. Lloyd Jones Weir: great fishing and birdwatching venue; 15 km SW.
Campsites around town
Aramac Caravan Park 65 km
This campground is next to the Aramac Showgrounds on Booker St in Aramac. There are some powered sites and laundry facilities available. Aramac is part of the Barcaldine Regional Council, 440 km west of Rockhampton, one... Find out moreBarcoo River camping area, Blackall 98 km
Caravan-based campers with self-contained facilities can use the clearing on the northern side of the Barcoo River, about 500 m from the centre of Blackall. All visitors must register at the information centre on... Find out moreLongreach Caravan Park 107 km
This holiday park provides a comfortable stay in one of central Queensland's popular tourist towns. Facilities include two swimming pools, three spas, a mini mart, wireless broadband internet or internet kiosks, and... Find out moreLongreach Waterhole camping area 111 km
The Longreach Waterhole is reached from the Landsborough Hwy, about 4 km north-west of Longreach. There’s a toilet block, picnic tables and shelters in the adjacent day-use area, but you need to be totally... Find out moreThe Lake Campground 112 km
Camp on the shores of freshwater Lake Dunn, 68 kilometres north-east of Aramac. Traditional owners call it Pajingo Bola (Big Fella Waterhole), but this is desert country so you might find it too shallow for swimming or... Find out moreBarcoo River camping area, Isisford 116 km
Camping is permitted beside the Barcoo River in Isisford. The camping area has a toilet block; the nearby park has an amenities block with showers. The Barcoo River offers excellent fishing, camping, canoeing and... Find out moreOma Waterhole camping area 128 km
The Oma Waterhole for self-sufficient campers is set beside the Barcoo River on Yaraka Rd, 13 km south of Isisford. The river offers excellent fishing, camping, canoeing and birdwatching. Isisford is about 120 km west of... Find out moreMuttaburra Caravan Park 130 km
Muttaburra Caravan Park is on Bridge St in Muttaburra, about 85 km north-west of Aramac. Aramac is part of the Barcaldine Regional Council, one of the largest cattle-producing regions in central western Queensland.... Find out moreFour Mile Waterhole camping area 156 km
Campers must be totally self-sufficient to use this site; there are no facilities. Take Corinda Rd from Torrens Creek Rd; travel for 5 km to the park entrance, plus a further 5 km north to the camping area. A 4WD is... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Blackall Caravan Park 99 km
Easily accessible from the Landsborough (Matilda) Highway, the park is just a short walk from the town centre. It is popular during the winter tourist season, offering camp-oven meals each evening. Bookings are required... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Longreach 105 km
Longreach is a busy tourist centre during the cooler months and a booking is important even though the park has expanded recently. It is within walking distance of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and about 2... Find out moreTambo Mill Motel and Caravan Park 177 km
Well-located right in the heart of the main street of Tambo, this park is just a few years old and has great amenities. Everywhere in town is walking distance and the complex has a restaurant. Bookings are required in... Find out moreBlue Gem Caravan Park 249 km
For those interested in trying their luck on the gemfields, this park is a good base. It forms part of a shop and service station complex and is centrally located in Sapphire on the banks of Retreat Creek, where... Find out moreRest areas around town
Barcaldine East Rest Area 2 km
85 km W of Jericho (R) or 2 km E of Barcaldine (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 33.167 E145 18.417 ... Find out moreLloyd Jones Weir Camp Area 13 km
T/O 102 km N of Blackall (L) or 5 km S of Barcaldine (R) Large secluded area located 9 kilometres west of the highway among the trees on the banks of the Alice River. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Unsealed access.... Find out moreClover Hills Rest Area 28 km
78 km N of Blackall (R) or 29 km S of Barcaldine (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S23 48.067 E145 18.550... Find out moreSaltern Rest Area 30 km
29 km W of Barcaldine (R) or 51 km E of Ilfracombe (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S23 32.092 E144 59.767 ... Find out moreAlice River Rest Area 53 km
34 km W of Jericho (L) or 53 km E of Barcaldine (R) Small area just off the highway among a few large trees at the site of a memorial. Good shade. GPS: S23 33.902 E145 48.235... Find out moreDartmouth Rest Area 63 km
63 km W of Barcaldine (R) or 17 km E of Ilfracombe (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S23 30.741 E144 40.237 ... Find out moreNewstead Creek Rest Area 75 km
74 km W of Barcaldine (R) or 6 km E of Ilfracombe (L) Large area well off the road. Limited shade. GPS: S23 30.096 E144 33.099 ... Find out moreIlfracombe Park Area 80 km
Middle of town Parking area at the historical vehicle display. GPS: S23 29.379 E144 30.504... Find out moreDouglas Ponds Rest Area 80 km
23 km N of Blackall (L) or 84 km S of Barcaldine (R) Large secluded area well off the highway among some trees. Limited shade. GPS: S24 16.579 E145 20.473... Find out moreJericho Park Area 86 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway in the middle of town. GPS: S23 36.113 E146 07.426 ... Find out moreBlackall Camp Area 98 km
South side of town Large area on the Barcoo River via Isisford Road. Facilities across the road. GPS: S24 25.506 E145 27.774 ... Find out moreBlackall South Rest Area 104 km
91 km NE of Tambo (L) or 10 km S of Blackall (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S24 27.575 E145 33.056... Find out moreThompson River Camp Area 109 km
5 km NW of Longreach (R) or 175 km SE of Winton (L) Large secluded area well off the highway (via River Farms Road). Good facilities. Only limited shade. GPS: S23 24.594 E144 13.776... Find out moreMacsland Rest Area 121 km
24 km NW of Longreach (R) or 156 km SE of Winton (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 16.588 E144 07.657... Find out moreBarcoo River Rest Area 126 km
58 km NW of Tambo (R) or 43 km SE of Blackall (L) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S24 34.975 E145 48.651 ... Find out moreAlpha Park Area 139 km
Middle of town Shady parking area well off the highway on the main street into town. GPS: S23 38.906 E146 38.524... Find out moreMacFarlane Rest Area 157 km
24 km NE of Tambo (R) or 77 km SW of Blackall (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S24 45.047 E146 06.380... Find out moreMorella Rest Area 159 km
69 km NW of Longreach (R) or 111 km SE of Winton (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S22 58.550 E143 51.589... Find out moreMitchells Rest Area 168 km
139 km W of Emerald (R) or 31 km E of Alpha (L) Small area adjacent to the highway at the site of a memorial to explorer Major Mitchell. GPS: S23 39.655 E146 55.830... Find out moreStubby Bend Camp Area 177 km
1 km NE of Tambo via Alpha Road Large area on the banks of the Barcoo River. GPS: S24 52.569 E146 15.787... Find out moreTambo Park Area 177 km
South side of town Parking area at the lake on the south side of town. Very good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S24 52.913 E146 15.582 ... Find out moreDrummond Range Park Area 196 km
110 km W of Emerald (R) or 60 km E of Alpha (L) Small secluded area well off the highway at the lookout. GPS: S23 39.388 E147 12.242 ... Find out moreChorregon Rest Area 200 km
110 km NW of Longreach (L) or 70 km SE of Winton (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S22 41.466 E143 34.425 ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Mini steam-train rides: depart Folk Museum; last Sun each month (Mar–Oct).
Easter in the Outback: Easter.
Tree of Knowledge Festival: festival includes the Revfest, goat races, May Day parade and markets; May.
