Hughenden
Town
Population 1154
Hughenden is on the banks of the Flinders River, Queensland's longest river, west of the Great Dividing Range. The first recorded Europeans to pass here were members of Frederick Walker's 1861 expedition to search for explorers Burke and Wills. Two years later Ernest Henry selected a cattle station and Hughenden came into existence. The black volcanic soil in the region is rich with fossilised bones, particularly those of dinosaurs.
Visitor Information
Flinders Discovery Centre, Gray St; (07) 4741 1021
Nearby national parks
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Porcupine Gorge National Park
Looking like an oasis in the dry, flat plains north of Hughenden, Porcupine Gorge National Park features towering sandstone cliffs and a...more
Nearby towns
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Richmond QLD
This small town on the Flinders River in the Gulf Country serves the surrounding sheep and cattle properties. The town's main street is...more -
Muttaburra
Despite being a tiny outback community, Muttaburra has much to promote in its history. Famous cattle duffer Harry Redford (Captain...more -
Winton
The area surrounding Winton is known as Matilda Country, as Australia's most famous song, Waltzing Matilda, was written by Banjo Paterson...more
In Town
Flinders Discovery Centre Learn about the Flinders Shire history in this complex. The fossil exhibition's centrepiece is the 7 m replica skeleton of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, a dinosaur found in Muttaburra (206 km S) – it was the first entire fossil skeleton found in Australia. The Historical Society also documents the shire history in their display. Gray St; (07) 4741 1021.Historic Coolibah Tree: blazed by Walker in 1861 and again by William Landsborough in 1862 when he was also searching for Burke and Wills, and their 2 companions; east bank of Station Creek, Stansfield St East. Flinders Poppy Art and Craft Cottage: unique range of handmade art and craft items for sale; open 10am–2pm daily (hours can vary); Gray St.
Nearby
Porcupine Gorge National Park The coloured sandstone cliffs of this park are a delight and contrast with the greenery surrounding Porcupine Creek. The gorge, known locally as the 'mini Grand Canyon', has been formed over millions of years and can be seen from the lookout just off Kennedy Development Rd. Walk down into the gorge on the 1.2 km track, but be warned, the steep walk back up is strenuous. (07) 4722 5224; 61 km N.Basalt Byways: discover the Flinders Shire landscapes on these 4WD tracks. Cross the Flinders River and see the Flinders poppy in the valleys. The longest track is 156 km; access on Hann Hwy; 7.3 km N. Prairie: small town with mini-museum and historic relics at Cobb & Co yards; 44 km E. Mt Emu Goldfields: fossicking and bushwalking; 85 km N. Torrens Creek: the town, a major explosives dump during WW II, was nearly wiped out by 12 explosions when firebreaks accidentally hit the dump. Visit the Exchange Hotel, home of the 'dinosaur steaks'; 88 km E. Kooroorinya Falls: the small falls cascade into a natural waterhole, excellent for swimming. Walk and go birdwatching in surrounding bushland; 109 km SE via Prairie. White Mountains National Park: rugged park with white sandstone outcrops and varied vegetation. Burra Range Lookout on Flinders Hwy has excellent views over the park. There are no walking tracks; (07) 4722 5224; 111 km E. Chudleigh Park Gemfields: gem-quality peridot found in fossicking area (licence required); 155 km N. Moorrinya National Park: important conservation park protecting 18 different land types of the Lake Eyre Basin. The park is home to iconic Australian animals, such as koalas, kangaroos and dingoes, and includes remains of the old sheep-grazing property Shirley Station. Walking is for experienced bushwalkers only; (07) 4722 5224; 178 km SE via Torrens Creek.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond 111 km
This dinosaur museum in the heart of Australian dinosaur territory focuses on ancient native creatures. It has one of the country’s best preserved dinosaur skeletons.... Find out moreLark Quarry Conservation Park 208 km
Situated 110 kilometres south-west of Winton, some 4000 fossilised footprints here tell the only known story of a dinosaur stampede that took place an estimated 95 million years ago. Access to the trackways is only with... Find out moreCampsites around town
Remote bush camping 57 km
Self-sufficient campers can seek out the park’s remote walk-in bush-camping areas. The southern boundary of the park is about 45 km north of Hughenden, with the gorge lookout another 15 km further north.... Find out morePyramid Campground 61 km
Over time, Porcupine Creek has carved sculptures and potholes in the natural rock, the most famous of which is the Pyramid, an isolated monolith of multicoloured sandstone rising from the floor of the gorge. The Pyramid... Find out moreCann’s Camp Creek Campground 97 km
This campground is 11 km west of the Burra Range lookout and 19 km east of Torrens Creek. From Dec–Apr, the road is sometimes closed due to wet weather. Generators are not permitted; bring drinking water and a... Find out moreBush camping 98 km
Self-sufficient, experienced bushwalkers can camp in the national park in various remote areas. Bring a gas/fuel stove only.... Find out moreBush camping 99 km
Self-sufficient bush camping (with a permit) is allowed near the old shearing shed, about 4.5 km from the homestead, reached by 4WD only. Open fires and generators are not permitted.... Find out moreChudleigh Park camping area (bush camping) 126 km
This campsite is 15 km west of the Kennedy Developmental Rd, about 150 km north of Hughenden. If you want to have a go at fossicking, you’ll need a licence.... Find out moreFour Mile Waterhole camping area 178 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 moreMuttaburra Caravan Park 197 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 moreLong Waterhole camping area 210 km
Self-sufficient campers can stay at this site, but be aware that there is no power, water or facilities. The camping area is reached from the Winton–Jundah Rd, about 2 km south of Winton. While you’re here,... Find out moreFletcher Creek Camping Reserve 226 km
This camping reserve is beside Fletcher Creek, 45 km north of Charters Towers near the entrance to Dalrymple National Park; access is via Gregory Developmental Rd from the Flinders Hwy. The Charters Towers region is... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Richmond Lakeview Caravan Park 110 km
This is a tidy park with good facilities, where every site is a drive-through site. The park is on the eastern approach to town overlooking Lake Fred Tritton. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreMatilda Country Tourist Park 208 km
Winton is a popular tourist town and visitor numbers peak during the cooler winter months. This tourist park has good amenities, basic facilities and is an ideal base from which to explore the area. The park is about 1... Find out moreDalrymple Tourist Van Park 232 km
Situated around 2 km north of the city, this is a well-established park with good facilities. It makes a good base for exploring this historic mining area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreAussie Outback Oasis Cabin and Van Village 234 km
This owner-operated park is located on the eastern side of town and has excellent facilities in a bush setting. It is only a few years old and has developed well. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreRest areas around town
West side of town Large parking area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S20 50.497 E144 11.104... Find out more
Prairie Rest Area 42 km
Middle of town Parking area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S20 52.250 E144 36.164... Find out moreMarathon Rest Area 66 km
67 km W of Hughenden (L) or 48 km E of Richmond (R) Open area just off the highway. GPS: S20 51.521 E143 34.151... Find out moreBurra Range Rest Area 103 km
141 km W of Charters Towers (R) or 107 km E of Hughenden (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S20 43.784 E145 10.975... Find out moreBurra Range Park Area 108 km
136 km W of Charters Towers (L) or 112 km E of Hughenden (R) Small area adjacent to the highway at the lookout. GPS: S20 42.881 E145 13.469... Find out moreRichmond Park Area 110 km
East side of town Large open area just off the highway at Lake Fred Tritton. Good facilities. GPS: S20 44.339 E143 08.916... Find out moreCampaspe River Rest Area 146 km
90 km W of Charters Towers (L) or 158 km E of Hughenden (R) Large area just off the highway at Campaspe River. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 26.460 E145 32.009... Find out moreMaxwelton Rest Area 159 km
49 km W of Richmond (R) or 100 km E of Julia Creek (L) Open area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S20 43.397 E142 40.697... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Market: Lions Rotary Park; last Sun each month.
Country Music Festival: Apr.
Horseracing: Apr and Sept.
Hughenden Show: June.
Porcupine Gorge Challenge: fun run; June.
Arid Lands Festival: camel endurance race; Aug.
Outback Scrap: Aug.
Bullride: Sept.
