“Who’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?” 8 Reasons to go to Winton Qld now!
It’s a thriving outback town in far west Queensland that has plenty to do and see, and oh don’t forget, it’s the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda.
Banjo Paterson once holidayed here and scribed the words to that catchy song that many view as Australia’s unofficial national anthem. So who’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me in Winton? Here’s 8 things to do in Winton Qld if you get the urge to go outback…
1. Visit the Waltzing Matilda centre
A brand new, multi-million dollar Waltzing Matilda Centre officially opened in April 2018 due to the original building burning down in 2015. The good news is that most to the important stuff was salvaged from the fire and now there’s a bigger and better memory built from the words of Banjo Paterson.
The writer and poet spent some time around the Winton region and the words of Waltzing Matilda were first sung around a piano in the North Gregory Hotel, on the main street of Winton. You’ll learn all the history plus more facts about Winton (did you know it claims to be Qantas’ birthplace too) if you pay a visit to new Waltzing Matilda Centre .
Be part of celebrating the Outback community and join in at the Way out West Fest held annually towards the end of April.
2. Dig up a Dinosaur
Help uncover dinosaur bone’s at Winton’s Age of Dinosaurs where one of the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils are held. Visitors can Dig-a-Dino , Prep-a-Dino or just saunter around the Dinosaur Canyon which showcases life-size replicas that once wandered the region.
AND be prepared for spectacular views across the Winton plains from the edge of a jump-up.130 kms away on the other side of town lies the Dinosaur Trackways at Lark Quarry. It’s a stampede of dinosaur tracks preserved in mud and reputed to be the only evidence of a dinosaur stampede on the planet.
3. Listen to a Bush Poet
It’s of no surprise that Bush Poets can be found following Banjo Patterson’s trail. During the winter period (April to October) poets take up residency in this little outback town and entertain the wave of travellers who descend on this area.
Catch a poet at the North Gregory Hotel or at the Matilda Country Caravan Park Bush Poet shed (where you can grab a dinner too).
4. Watch a Movie under the Stars
Winton has its own Starry Sky cinema and their love of movie theatres dates back to the early 1900’s, when it was reputed to be a wild and rambunctious town.
At the Royal Open Air Theatre you can lounge on a canvas deckchair and soak in the atmosphere of the Australian Outback watching iconic Aussie films and viewing the Milky Way like you’ve never seen.
If you’re a movie buff, don’t miss the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival held annually in June.
5. Place a Bet on a Chicken
Chicken races are a regular at the North Gregory Hotel and money raised goes towards local charities.
All sorts of chaos erupts when the rainbow coloured critters are let out of their cages to chase a remote vehicle around a small course. Very entertaining and worth a look.
6. Play Waltzing Matilda on a Bush Fence
Unique and quirky just like you’d expect to find in the bush. This outdoor musical stadium sits on the outskirts of Winton and allows you to test your musical talents on everyday items that you’ll find lying around a farm.
Rehearse your musical talents on the fence and see if you can tap out the tune to Waltzing Matilda using the score sheet available. The best thing is it’s free to use and there for every visitor to Winton to enjoy.
7. The Road out of Town
Winton’s the start (or end) of a journey that can take you straight across the heart of Australia (to Laverton WA) if you want to explore further afield.
The Outback Way, all 2,700kms of it, is known as Australia’s Longest Shortcut and allows you to drive East to West (or vice versa) without having to do the coastal route (and minus all the traffic). For more info click here > The Outback Way – A Great Central Road across Australia .
8. Bathe in the Water
This is not for the fainthearted as Winton’s water comes from the the Great Artesian Basin and its ‘smelly’ properties are infamous amongst road travellers. Trapped with the water is sulphur gas, which gives Winton’s water a distinctive smell. If the water is allowed to stand however, it allows the gas to escape, and chilled, it becomes the sweetest, cleanest water on earth. But be warned, the sulphur in the water also causes precious metals, especially silver, to tarnish. So take care not to wear your jewellery in the shower, and if your jewellery does tarnish, it’s nothing a good clean won’t cure!
So whether you pack in some extra drinking water before descending on Winton you really can’t afford to miss out on this little slice of Australian history nestled way out west in Outback Queensland.
Would you like to visit Winton Qld? What appeals to you most about the trip? Have you travelled Outback Australia?
Please Note: We received our tours complimentary BUT all views, opinions and photos in this article are 100% my own.
Latest Post
Popular Posts
Follow us
@adventuremumma
Grab a copy!
Search the blog
Archive
- Cairns 1
- Cairns Attractions 12
- Cairns Dining 10
- Cairns Esplanade 1
- Family Friendly Accommodation 9
- Activities in Cairns 21
- Beaches & Islands 14
- Cairns Events 7
- Clean Up Australia 1
- Cairns Family Tours 26
- Explore TNQ 101
- Things to do in Cairns 43
- Watersports 26
- Free things to do 9
- Hikes & Walking Trails 10
- Great Barrier Reef Tours 13
- Hot Air Ballooning 1
- Camping Adventures 17
- Family Road Trip 17
- Outback Australia 11
- Parks & Playgrounds 5
- Things to do in Port Douglas 18
- Cairns Northern Beaches 7
- Port Douglas Activities 10
- Travelling with Family 27
- Nature Play 24
- Aboriginal Experiences 2
- Gift Ideas 6
- Freshwater Swimming Holes 10
- Health & Wellbeing 12
- Rainforest Adventures 19
- Family Tips 19
- In the Media 19
- Things to do in Mission Beach 3
- Waterfalls 10
- Sea Kayaking 1
- Explore Australia 21
- Gear Reviews 5
- Gold Coast Activities 2
- Insider Guide 11
- Port Douglas Reef Tours 4
- Things to do in Melbourne 2
- Outback Tours 1
- Port Douglas Dining 6
- Follow the Sun 4
- Kuranda Train & Skyrail 5
- Daintree / Cape Trib Rainforst 4
- Daintree Activities 2
- Things to do in the Daintree 1
- Travel Photography 4