Cloncurry

Cloncurry Stands on the Cloncurry River at the junction of the Matilda and Overlander highways, 125 km east of Mt Isa and 766 km west of Townsville.

The copper mines of Cloncurry quickly made this town one of the most prosperous in the Outback. Down through the years since the copper lode was discovered in 1867, Cloncurry has hosted a plethora of other historic occasions.

An historic aircraft hangar still stands at the local aerodrome, a reminder of Cloncurry’s significance in Australia’s early aviation industry.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service was launched in Cloncurry. Visit John Flynn Place to get an insight into the story of this iconic outback service.

Known as the 'Friendly Heart of the Great North West', the town now services the sheep and cattle properties in the surrounding district and is an important sales centre for sheep, cattle and horses.

Source: www.queenslandholidays.com.au

Cloncurry is at the hub of the world's largest mineral province and hosts eight modern world class base metal mines, including Ernest Henry Mine and the Cannington Mine. Mine tours are available.

The Mary Kathleen Memorial Park featuring a museum is a memorial to the uranium mining town of the early 1950s that was situated to the west of Cloncurry. The park houses three of the towns original buildings.

John Flynn started the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Cloncurry in 1927. To commemorate his great work, John Flynn Place was established in 1988. It houses the RFDS Museum, an art gallery, cultural centre and outback theatre.

Each year the town comes alive with the Annual Cloncurry Show in June and the famous Cloncurrry Stockman's Challenge, which is held shortly afterwards in July.

Other attractions include the Historical Society Museum, the Chinese & Afghan Cemetery and the many early mine ruins in the district.

Source: www.gidgeeinn.com.au

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cloncurry is available at:

• Cloncurry Oasis Caravan Park
• Gidgee Inn
• Gilbert Park Tourist Village

Outback Attractions

Completely immerse yourself while on holiday in everything that is Queensland. The experiences below will help you make the most of your time in this region.

Cloncurry is situated in an ideal position at the crossroads of the Gulf to the north, Mount Isa and the Northern Territory to the west, the coastline to Townsville directly east and Longreach and Brisbane to the south. If driving you simply cannot pass without stopping.

There is lovely accommodation and many local attractions to see.

Dajarra

Once the largest trucking depot in the world, Dajarra is now a quiet, laid back town in the far north of Outback Queensland. The older people of the area who remember Dajarra's heyday say that the area trucked more cattle than Texas in the United States of America. Drovers would bring cattle from as far away as Western Australia to put them on the train at Dajarra. Then came the road trains and soon the railway was turned into just a memory.

Truck depot

The town also has a rich aboriginal heritage and is home to aboriginal tribes from around the Diamantina River, the Gulf and the Northern Territory. The old culture is upheld here. The aboriginal language is taught at the school by a couple of elders and one local elder shows the children how to make boomerangs, what wood to use and what timber is best for didgeridoos. They still know where to find the bush foods and the 'bush lollies' on the gidyea trees after rain, berries, wild oranges at Christmas and wild bananas on the road to Mount Isa.

Nearest Highway: Min Min Byway
Nearest Airport: Mount Isa ( 149 Kilometres )

Duchess

In earlier days Duchess was an important railway and mining town which has declined since the advent of road transport.

Historic for Road Transport

Today, relive the glory days over a drink or two at the local Duchess Hotel where the beer and stories flow. The old Duchess Mine and the old lime quarry a little further out of town remain as reminders of more heady days.

Located 123 kilometres south west of Cloncurry.

Nearest Highway: The Matilda Highway
Nearest Airport: Cloncurry ( 111 Kilometres )

Ernest Henry Mine

Ernest Henry Mine is named after the father of Cloncurry, Ernest Henry, who explored the district in 1866 with Roger Sheaffe. At that time he discovered numerous copper deposits in the region including the Great Australia, Mount Oxide and others.

Ernest Henry Mine

The Ernest Henry Mine Pit was 382 metres deep and 1,280 metres wide. 10.7 million tonnes of ore and 48 million tonnes of waste were mined throughout 2006. While looking from the observation platform into the pit you will see the machinery used to excavate the material; dump trucks used to transport the material; machinery used in the pit; and maybe even see a blast and how the explosives are placed. During the tour you will see a working crusher and mill where the ore is concentrated to a product that is ready for smelting.

A truly memorable experience, mining now makes up a significant part of the Cloncurry economy. Photographs are able to be taken on the tour and information is provided in a formal setting on site along with morning tea. Transport is provided to and from the mine.

Tours run from May to September on Wednesdays and Fridays subject to numbers.

Contact Details

Phone: 07 4769 4500

Further Information

Children: Children must be under adult supervision.

Disabled: Access is restricted to people who are able to board a coaster bus.

General Comments: Participants must wear long trousers, long sleeved shirt and enclosed shoes.

Money raised from the tours go to the local Cloncurry historical group.

Kajabbi

Kajabbi is a tiny, sleepy settlement in north west Queensland. It is located 118 kilometres north east of Mount Isa and 100 kilometres north west of Cloncurry.

Outback Pub

Whilst only a small settlement, Kajabbi stands in an area that is steeped in history. The warrior Kalkadoon tribe, after whom the local hotel is named, had their last battle against mounted troops on the slopes of nearby Battle Mountain.

Mining relics, including smelter stacks, are still to be found at the sites of the former Dobbyn and Mount Cuthbert copper mines. There was a time when Kajabbi was an important centre. The nearby mines at Dobbyn and Mount Cuthbert attracted copper miners to the area and, as a railhead in the 1920s, it was a location where the cattle owners from the state's far north west brought their herds for shipment to the coast.

There is wildlife aplenty in this part of the Outback - kangaroos, dingoes, freshwater crocodiles and many bird species.

Nearest Highway: The Matilda Highway
Nearest Airport: Mount Isa ( 118 Kilometres )

Outback Aussie Tours and Travel

Outback Aussie Tours and Travel are a multi-award winning, Savannah Guides accredited operator, offering unforgettable natural and cultural day tour and holiday experiences, showcasing Outback Queensland's great icons in comfort and style with a professional passion.

Tour Vehicle

The dream of Aussie Outback Tours is to help people to see, feel, taste, smell and actually experience Queensland's Outback, with a vision to communicate the story of the land and its people.

The company strives to do this by sharing with visitors the many gifts this vast region has to offer - from the freedom of the open plains, the charm and diversity of the bushland, intriguingly unique wildlife, colourful characters, big blue skies, and those everlasting stars.

With 14 years experience operating in the region, Outback Aussie Tours and Travel offer a range of Outback experiences. Choose from fascinating half and full day tours, short breaks or full holiday packages. The company also specialises in co-ordinating tours for incentive and special interest groups.

Some of the most significant historical and cultural Australian icons visited on tours offered by the company include The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, School of the Air, Banjo's Outback Theatre, Winton's Waltzing Matilda Centre, Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways, The Australian Workers Heritage Centre, Tree of Knowledge, Herbert Range and Rangeland Hills, Idalia, Welford and Diamantina National Parks, to name a few.

Discover the untouched spirit of Queensland's Outback with Outback Aussie Tours and Travel.

Contact Details

Phone: 07 4658 3000
Tollfree: 1300 787 890
Email: info@oat.net.au
Web: www.oat.net.au

This product can also be booked through Sunlover Holidays:
Phone: 13 88 33
Email: slvhol@slholidays.com.au
Web: Book Online

Awards

2007: Outback Queensland Tourism Awards - Winner Tourism Marketing and Eco-tourism Award.

2007: Queensland Tourism Awards - Winner Tour and / or Transport Operator.

2007: Outback Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame - Tour and / or Transport Operator.

2006: Outback Queensland Tourism Awards - Winner Significant Tour and / or Transport Operator.

2005: Outback Queensland Tourism Awards - Winner Significant Tour and / or Transport Operator.

Further Information

Children: Children are welcome. All children 17 years and under must be accompanied by an adult to comply with insurance purposes.

Disabled: There is access for guests with a disability. Assistance is provided if needed. Please contact the company to discuss your requirements.

Tours are subject to change and availability.

Proof of concession must be supplied for any concession rates (Senior or Pension Card).

Quamby

The Albert Hotel, built as the Customs House in the 1860s, is all that remains of what was once a prosperous mining and cattle fattening district. The town comes alive with the annual rodeo heald at the end of July.

Albert Hotel

Nearest Highway: Matilda Highway
Nearest Airport: Cloncurry Airport ( 43 Kilometres )

Reef n Outback Rail Tours

Reef n Outback Rail Tours is a 100 per cent Australian and privately owned specialist rail travel agency catering specifically to the mature-age traveller. They have been operating for the past 15 years.

Outback Sign

Offering an exciting variety of personalised tours across Australia and New Zealand, including Outback Queensland, their fully escorted tours have been designed to give guests a unique travel experience in a relaxed and social environment.

Tours include all travel, accommodation, most meals, attraction entry fees, expert commentary and a friendly tour guide.

Captivating destinations, heritage and memories to last a life-time, let your spirit ride with Reef n Outback Rail Tours on your selected journey of discovery.

Contact Details

Phone: 07 5447 5422
Tollfree: 1300 138 687
Email: info@reefnoutback.com.au
Web: www.reefnoutback.com.au

Further Information

Miscellaneous: Reef n Outback Rail Tours strongly recommends Travel Insurance. All bookings cancelled at any time after the tour has commenced are non-refundable. Prior to departure the following conditions apply: 65 days or more you are liable for the non refundable deposit, 64 days to 31 days 50 per cent of tour price, 30 days to 15 days 75 per cent of tour price and within 14 days 100 per cent of tour cost will be payable.

The ultimate outback experience! Five train journeys and travel from Brisbane, Longreach, Winton, Hughenden, Richmond, Cloncurry, Riversleigh, Mt Isa, Karumba, Georgetown, Normanton, Croydon, Cobbold Gorge, Forsayth, Einasleigh, Mt Surprise, Atherton Tablelands, Cairns. Highlights include: Qantas Founders Museum, Stockman's Hall of Fame, Sunset Spectacular Candlelit Dinner Cruise, Waltzing Matilda Centre, Ultimate Progressive Dinner, Flinder's Discovery Centre, Kronosaurus Korner, Riversleigh Fossil Interpretive Centre, Mount Isa Hard Times Mine Tour, Burke and Will's Roadhouse, Karumba Sunset Seafood Buffet, Ferryman Cruise, Barramundi Discovery Centre, Terrestrial Centre, Cobbold Gorge Cruise, Whitewater Station and working cattle dog demonstration, Undara Lava Tubes, Craigeburn Springs, Millstream Falls, Kuranda Markets.

Swagman Tours

Swagman Tours is Australian owned, and has operated tours in all areas of Australia for the past 16 years. The company enjoys the reputation of being regarded as the ""outback safari specialist"".

Tour vehicle

All Swagman staff, from senior management down, have ""hands on"" experience in the Australian outback and the on road crews are highly respected throughout the land. Each of the drivers and guides have been chosen for their knowledge of the outback, leadership qualities, all terrain driving skills, mechanical knowledge and friendly nature and the hostesses and cooks are simply the best.

Swagman safari vehicles are chosen both for passenger comfort and ability to handle the sometimes harsh terrain encountered in remote areas. All vehicles have long distance radios installed connected to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, again for remote area security. The safari trailers have fresh drinking water, refrigerated food storage and cooking areas ensuring plentiful fresh food always.

Swagman Outback Safaris brochure is distributed worldwide and contains tours of varied durations and departure dates to all parts of Australia for the independent traveller of any age. These tours represent approximately half of the Swagman operation, the other half is specialised, similar interest group tours to many nominated destinations. The tour planners at Swagman design these tours to suit the specific interests of the group and arrange visits to many areas and/or facilities not available to the general public. Swagman design farm tours, university study tours, wildlife photography tours and club holidays and these can be either camping or fully accommodated tours. Swagman have a range of safari vehicles that can handle group sizes of six, 12, 20, 27 and 42 seat capacity.

In short, Swagman has the experience, knowledge, staff and reputation for giving individual travellers and/or special interest groups the Australian holiday of a lifetime.

Contact Details

Phone: 03 5222 2855
Tollfree: 1800 808 491
Email: info@swagmantours.com.au
Web: www.swagmantours.com.au

Further Information

Children: Children over the age of five are welcome on most tours.

Disabled: Guests with disabilities can be catered for. Please contact the company to discuss requirements.

Proof of concession must be supplied for any concession rates.

Cloncurry Caravan Park Oasis

The Cloncurry Caravan Park Oasis is situated on the Overlander's Way (Flinders Highway) about half a kilometre from the town centre.

Caravan
Photo: Cloncurry Caravan Park Oasis

Cabin
Photo: Cloncurry Caravan Park Oasis

The park has well established trees for shade and grassy areas for campsites and powered sites. There are eight en suite cabins and three non-ensuite cabins, with only a short walk to one of the two amenity blocks. The park features an in-ground salt water swimming pool.

Cloncurry has a variety of shops including a major Supermarket.

Your friendly hosts, Geoff, Christine and Zack look forward to welcoming you soon!

Rating: AAT

Where

Overlander's Way, half a kilometre from the Cloncurry town centre

How

Features

Rooms: There is a range of room types available:

Dining: Only the Deluxe cabins provide a full kitchen enabling you to cook for yourselves indoors. The En suite and Basic cabins have limited kitchen facilities and utensils. There are wood fired barbecue and free gas barbeque facilities available for use.

Additional features include:

• 2 Immaculate Amenities Blocks with coin op laundry
• Kiosk
• Gas
• Ice
• Iron
• Vehicle wash facilities Nightcall button
• Outdoor furniture
• Outdoor Swimming Pool
• Public Telephone
• Fax Service
• Shade-covered Swimming Pool
• All drive-through sites, no rig too big
• Central dump point
• Camp Fridge and Camp Microwave
• Happy Hour 2 days a week in the low Season
• Closest Park to Town Centre (only 1km)
• Friendly Service

Contact

Cloncurry Oasis Caravan Park‎
Flinders Highway
Cloncurry, QLD 4824
Ph: (07) 4742 1313
Email: ccpoasis@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.queenslandholidays.com.au and www.goseeaustralia.com.au

Gidgee Inn

An oasis in an outback landscape, the Gidgee Inn Motel was built in 1997 using Cloncurry's rich red soils and phonetically named after the local Gidyea tree.

Gidgee Inn, Cloncurry
Photo: www.gidgeeinn.com.au

The Gourmet Traveller listed Bar and Grill, an a la carte restaurant with adjoining bar, is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day. The Gidgee Grill menu, which changes regularly, features a selection of top quality barramundi and beef sourced fresh from the gulf and surrounding areas.

For groups they also offer the Gidgee Buffet and can supply a special dinner, bed and breakfast package. Off-street coach parking and wash down bay is available on site.

If you are planning a conference or special function the Gidgee Inn can supply a wide range of different size rooms with a variety of equipment and individualised catering to suit your requirements.

During low season the Gidgee Inn offer a 10 per cent discount on all rooms for weekend bookings. The rates listed are non-commissionable. A cot or rollaway bed is available.

The Gidgee Inn is located on the Matilda Highway, on the eastern side of Cloncurry. Situated in an ideal position at the crossroads of the Gulf to the north, Mount Isa and the Northern Territory to the west, the coastline to Townsville directly east and Longreach and Brisbane to the south. If driving you simply cannot pass without stopping.

Rating:

Where

Matilida Highway, Cloncurry

How

Features

Rooms: All 40 rooms feature rich coloured rammed earth walls that is so characteristic of the Gidgee Inn and:

• Jarrah furnishings and spinifex coloured carpet to compliment the spacious rooms
• Ceiling fan
• Refrigerative split system air conditioning
• Remote control television
• Coffee and tea making facilities
• Direct dial phone
• Iron and ironing board
• Latest release videos are played daily

A room at the Gidgee Inn
Photo: Gidgee Inn

The 4 star rooms consist of:

• 20 single/double rooms with a queen size bed
• 12 twin share rooms with a queen size and a single bed (1 designed for PWDs)
• 8 executive rooms with a king size bed

The motel is on a single level, with easy wheelchair access to all areas.

Dining: The Gidgee Grill a la carte restaurant offers a large choice of specially created meals. The menu which changes regularly features a selection of top quality barramundi and beef sourced fresh from the Gulf and surrounding areas. Depending on the layout of the restaurant the capacity is between 50 and 100.

The Gidgee Bar adjoining the restaurant is a perfect way to start your evening. Enjoy a drink or two before your meal at the long jarrah timber bar. Meals can be ordered in the bar before adjourning to the restaurant.

The bar, which holds about 50 people is also a popular spot for small cocktail parties with a variety of finger foods available.

As the only steak restaurant off the Queensland coast listed in the Gourmet Traveller; it is hard to go past the wide selection of char grilled grain or grass fed steaks. Cuts such as sirloin, rib eye on the bone and eye fillet will not leave you disappointed. Full characteristics of each are described on the menu.

A choice of seafood meals including oysters and prawns are served as either entrees or main meals. Specials are listed on the blackboard each evening and children’s meals are also available.

The tempting dessert menu is sure to appeal to all. An extensive wine listing is offered to complete your meal. For a special occasion ask for our cellar listing.

Relax, enjoy your meal and take in the atmosphere of the open plan jarrah timber and rammed earth building. On the way out make sure you stop at the bar for an after dinner drink.

Children: Children are welcome. Rollaway beds and cots are available for children if needed. Children's meals are available in the restaurant or a high chair is available for room service. There is a pool and large gardens for children to entertain themselves.

Disabled: There is access for guests with a disability. There is one twin room with en suite available with ramp access for people with disabilities. The bar and restaurant are also easily accessible and have a PWD toilet.

An en suite at the Gidgee Inn
Photo: Gidgee Inn

Additional features include:

• Undercover parking outside all rooms and coach and truck parking and wash down bay on site
• Guest laundry
• In-ground salt water pool with BBQ/Function area

Contact

Gidgee Inn
Matilda Highway
Cloncurry   Queensland   4824
Ph: (07) 4742 1599
Fax: (07) 4742 2431
Email: info@gidgeeinn.com.au
Website: www.gidgeeinn.com.au

Gilbert Park Tourist Village

Enjoy a quiet, relaxed stay in a friendly environment at the Gilbert Park Tourist Village. The park is situated on the highway east of town with wide drive through sites and grassed camper trailer sites.

From May until September, enjoy their famous fish barbecues, held on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Modern self contained en suite cabins offer comfortable accommodation for couples and families. You will be amazed by the spectacular rugged landscape that surrounds the park and the magnificent ‘outback’ sunsets right on your doorstep. Tours of the local mine and attractions are available or do a self guided tour of the town and surrounds and be there in early August for the action of the Cloncurry Merry Muster Rodeo.

Gilbert Park Tourist Village
Photo: web

Rating: , , AAA

Where

2 McIlwraith St, Cloncurry

How

Features

Rooms:

Dining:

Children: Children are welcome.

Disabled: Disabled Facilities are available, please contact park directly for exact facilities available.

Additional features include:

• Salt water swimming pool
• Covered BBQ area
• Kiosk
• LPG
• Ice
• Public phone
• Immaculate modern amenites
• Coin operated Laundry
• Camp kitchen
• Central dump point
• Friendly service

Contact

Gilbert Park Tourist Village
2 McIlwraith St
Cloncurry   QLD   4824
Ph: (07) 4742 2300 or Tollfree: 1800 422 300
Email: gilpark@bigpond.com.au
Website: www.gilbertpark.com.au