Blackall
Town
Population 1160
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 he set the record of shearing 321 sheep with blade shears in less than eight hours at Alice Downs Station.
Visitor Information
Shamrock St; (07) 4657 4637
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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Tambo
Tambo is the oldest town in central-western Queensland. It was established in the mid-1860s to service the surrounding pastoral...more -
Barcaldine
This pastoral and rail town is located some 100 kilometres east of Longreach. Known as the ‘Garden City of the West’, it was the...more -
Isisford
Isisford is a small outback community south of Longreach. In the mid-1800s large stations were established in the area. This brought...more
In Town
Fossilised tree stump: preserved tree stump estimated to be possisbly 225 million years old; Shamrock St. Major Mitchell Memorial Clock: commemorates the founding of Blackall in 1846; Shamrock St. The Black Stump: the reference point used when the area was surveyed in 1886. Beautiful mural painting of the stump at the site; Thistle St. Jackie Howe Memorial: statue of the legendary shearer who holds the record for shearing 321 sheep in 7 hrs 40 min; Shamrock St. Historic Ram Park: incorporates the living history of the Blackall district, with shearing occuring all year-round; Shamrock St. Pioneer Bore: first artesian bore sunk in Queensland, with display of replica drilling plant; Aqua St.
Nearby
Idalia National Park Renowned habitat of the yellow-footed rock-wallaby, which can be spotted at Emmet Pocket Lookout (which also has amazing panoramic views) or along the Bullock Gorge walking track. A self-guide drive begins at the information centre, 12 km beyond the park entrance. (07) 4652 7333; 70 km SW on Yaraka Rd; at Benlidi siding turn south.Blackall Wool Scour: restored steam-driven wool-processing plant with demonstrations of machinery (steam operating May–Sept only); Evora Rd; 4 km N.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Charleville Cosmos Centre 233 km
During the day at this centre you can view the sun through special telescopes, play with the interactive displays and watch films on astronomy. Come at night to explore the stars, planets, moons and galaxies with an... Find out moreCampsites around town
Barcoo River camping area, Blackall
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 moreMonk’s Tank camping area 96 km
Monk’s Tank has a clearing for self-sufficient camping with permits available from a self-registration station. To reach Idalia National Park, follow Isisford Rd from Blackall for 42 km then turn left onto Yaraka... Find out moreBarcaldine Tourist Park 97 km
About 1.5 km from the centre of town on Box St (Matilda Hwy), this tourist park with drive-through grassy sites has an excellent range of facilities including wireless internet, and free use of the washing machines and... Find out moreBarcoo River camping area, Isisford 105 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 117 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 moreYaraka Town caravan park 149 km
This small caravan park for self-sufficient visitors is behind the Yaraka Town Hall, next to the Yaraka Hotel. Three sites are available (free of charge) with concrete slabs, power and water. Yaraka is about 100 km... Find out moreAramac Caravan Park 163 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 moreLongreach Caravan Park 165 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 170 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 moreNogoa River campsite (bush camping) 181 km
Orange-barked yellow-jacket trees and beautiful wildflower displays are some of the highlights of the Salvator Rosa section of Carnarvon National Park. This is a bush camping site for entirely self-sufficient campers.... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Tambo Mill Motel and Caravan Park 95 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 moreBarcaldine Tourist Park 97 km
A newer park on the southern outskirts of town, this park is easily accessible from the Matilda Highway. It has good facilities and offers free billy tea and damper in the tourist season. Bookings are required in peak... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Longreach 163 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 moreBailey Bar Caravan Park 233 km
We regularly stay at this very good owneroperated park. Set in a quiet, off-highway location about 1.5 km from the town centre, the park has great lawns, clean amenities and good facilities. Bookings are required in peak... Find out moreRest areas around town
Blackall South Rest Area 10 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 moreDouglas Ponds Rest Area 20 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 moreBarcoo River Rest Area 39 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 moreClover Hills Rest Area 71 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 moreMacFarlane Rest Area 75 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 moreLloyd Jones Weir Camp Area 89 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 moreStubby Bend Camp Area 95 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 95 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 moreBarcaldine East Rest Area 98 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 moreAlice River Rest Area 101 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 moreSaltern Rest Area 109 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 moreJericho Park Area 113 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway in the middle of town. GPS: S23 36.113 E146 07.426 ... Find out moreDartmouth Rest Area 129 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 138 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 142 km
Middle of town Parking area at the historical vehicle display. GPS: S23 29.379 E144 30.504... Find out moreAlpha Park Area 147 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 moreCoolabri Rest Area 163 km
36 km N of Augathella (R) or 80 km S of Tambo (L) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S25 28.246 E146 35.710 ... Find out moreThompson River Camp Area 168 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 moreMitchells Rest Area 171 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 moreMacsland Rest Area 185 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 moreAugathella Camp Area 189 km
Middle of town Large area just off the highway behind the Ellengowan Hotel. GPS: S25 47.786 E146 34.964... 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 moreWhat's on around town
Blackall Show: May.
Campdraft: May.
Heartland Festival: May.
Christmas in July: July.
Flower Show: Sept.
Springtime Affair: celebration of the season; Sept.
