2 minute read
Matilda Way
From Barringun on the Queensland/ New South Wales border where the Kidman Way from Melbourne ends, the Matilda Way takes you all the way North to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Along the way there you’ll pass through the birth places of many Australian icons and legends: Waltzing Matilda, Qantas, Stockmen and country pubs to name but a few. First, you’ll pass though Cunnamulla, where as well as the Big Fella statue you can learn about the great artesian basin at the Artesian Time Tunnel.
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Then you’ll pass through Charleville and Tambo to reach Blackall, where shearer Jackie Howe sheared 321 sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes in 1892! Past Barcaldine, you’ll come to Longreach, where you can visit the Qantas Founders Museum and the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Then travel on to Winton, near where Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda.
You should visit the Qantilda Museum to learn about the real story behind the song. If you’re there in winter you may be lucky enough to be in town for the annual Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival. Next is Cloncurry, where the Royal Flying Doctor Service began in 1928. Next is Normanton, with its Purple Pub and at the end of the way is Karumba near where Burke, Wills, King and Gray ended their epic trek in 1861.
All along the way, listen to the yarns and meet up with bush characters at the many historic pubs that dot the route, and peer into the night sky for a million star experience.
Matilda Way Must Do’s
Experience the ‘real outback’ whilst driving the Matilda Way. Here’s our 5 Must Do’s across the iconic Matilda Way.
1. Cunnamulla Fella Festival If you’re visiting Cunnamulla in August, make sure you pack your cowboy boots and prepare for a jam-packed weekend of fun at the Cunnamulla Fella Festival. This multi-day event has it all from cowboys, bull riders, shearers and stockmen all coming together to celebrate the outback spirit with country music, bushman’s challenges, motorbike and horse events and more!
2. Qantas Founders Museum Visit the world-class museum that tells the story of the founding of Qantas through interactive displays and exhibits. The collection incorporates the legendary Boeing 747, Douglas DC3 and Boeing 707. There is plenty to see and do in Longreach!
3. Age of Dinosaurs Ensure you visit The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History as it has the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils! Book into a tour to explore the exciting finds, gigantic sauropods and ‘Banjo’, the greatest Aussie carnivorous dinosaur.
4. Waltzing Matilda Centre Feel nostalgic and visit the Winton’s Waltzing Matilda Centre to experience the story-telling of Waltzing Matilda, Winton and the Outback region. Experience the state of the art interpretation of Matilda, enjoy the ‘More Than a Name’ Winton exhibition and enjoy some Outback tucker.
5. John Flynn Place Museum Be transported back in time as you enter the John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery, filled with a timeline of technological advances in aviation and radio. The museum, spread over three levels, honours John Flynn’s work in campaigning for better living conditions in remote Australia and showcases interactive displays on the Royal Flying Doctor Service, an original pedal radio in the ‘radio gallery’ and the Fred McKay Art Gallery.
