What To Do In Charleville, Queensland
Immortalised in Slim Dusty’s song by the same name, Charleville is the largest town in Queensland’s south-west and is a hub for visitors and pastoralists alike. In the heart of ‘mulga country’, Charleville and surrounding pastoral properties are rich in history, flora and fauna.
Meander along the Heritage Trail to see some impressive examples of pioneer architecture and learn about the history of the town. The Save the Bilby Fund, at the National Parks Research Station, is worth a visit for an up-close and personal experience with Australia’s most famous endangered marsupial. While in Charleville make sure you stop in at Heinemann’s Bakery.
Charleville, QLD
Located in the heart of Murweh Shire, Charleville is the largest town in the shire. With so many things to see and do in this beautiful town, you’ll want to spend a few days in town. From spectacular night sky viewing at the Cosmos Centre to meeting adorable furry animals, taking top secret tours and beautiful nature walks, this small country town has some big personality.
If you do plan to stay for a few nights, Charleville has several accommodation facilities to suit all walks of life. From bush camping, caravan parks, farm stays, motel and pub rooms, Charleville has got you covered. This beautiful country town offers airconditioned motel rooms, cabins, parks for your van and lovely country space for you to pitch a text. But not only does the town offer brilliant accommodation you can also find a wide selection of foods just as good as places you’d find in the big cities.
If you’re planning on travelling to this country town, there is a number of ways in which you could reach it. You can choose from a comfortable day’s drive from Brisbane, a short plane trip aboard a Quantaslink, an overnight train from Westlander, or enjoy an overnight or day trip on Bus Queensland. This small town offers the perfect outback Australia experience.
10 Things To Do In Charleville
Situated at the crossroads of Warrego Way and Matilda Way, the town offers a list of things to do and see. With so many outback experiences and places on offer, Charleville is really a location not to be missed!
1. Meet and Greet The Iconic Australian Bilby
Come meet the beautifully natures iconic outback creature that is the Australian Bilby. With shows running in Charleville, you can learn all about the endangered species and become educated in their conservation. with the opportunity to meet and hold these adorable creatures, you can be reassured that your ticket money is going straight to helping save these furry fellas.
If you’re interested in a bit more than a meet and greet with these guys, Charleville holds an Annual Bilby Day Festival in September. Enjoy a day out devoting time and money in saving the gorgeous native creatures.
2. Help Support and Learn about the Flying Doctors
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has provided life-saving medical services to hundreds and thousands of people over the years. Having recently celebrated their 90th birthday in 2018, these outback heroes have accomplished some amazing things in their time. Enjoy a tour around the Visitor Centre and learn about this iconic piece of Australian Outback history. Discover the old-school medicines, equipment and supplies used over the past decade.
3. View The Town From Above
Whilst you can learn a lot on the ground, seeing this landscape from up above is a whole other experience. Jump aboard the South-West Air Services for a 20-minute journey around Charleville and neighbouring lands. With these spectacularly special views of the outback, you’ll be lost for words.
4. Learn About the Open Wide Country Night Sky
With day sun viewing sessions and nighttime sky gazing, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the galaxy. With high tech meade telescopes, you’ll be able to experience spot stars, planets, moons and the Milkyway through some pretty spectacular technology.
Enjoy guided tours and informational details about the worlds best sky viewing platform – the outback nights sky.
5. Learn about the history of Charleville
From bush fires to massive floods, Charleville has had its fair share of natural disasters. With Travel West Tours, you can take a two-hour-long history lesson about the town that almost washed away. Learn about the town and why so many of the town’s early buildings have had to be rebuilt.
6. Visit the Historic House Museum
If you a big fan of history, then you should definitely pay a visit to the Historic House Museum. This building has lived through a number of personality changes. Originally being built as Charleville’s first National Bank, it has been a boarding house, along with finally becoming Charleville’s historic house after being bought by the District’s Historical Society. See historical artifacts from the town, photos and stories of how the town has evolved and originally came about.
7. Watch the Hobby Horses
On any given Wednesday, follow the locals as they swarm to the Bailey Bar Caravan Park to watch the hobby horses pounding down the track. Enjoy the sport along with an excellent evening guaranteed to have some laughs. Along with a delicious hearty BBQ in the outback, this event is a brilliant outback experience.
8. Dine-Out On The Rocks
Known for their delicious wild sea caught barramundi and handcrafted bush salt, On The Rocks is an amazing restaurant. With delectable desserts and herbs and spices for every month of the year, you’ll be sitting in a food coma after dining in here.
Aside from the food, The Rocks Motel also offers some brilliant accommodation which proves that you can sleep in style no matter where you go.
9. Take a Stroll through the Native Parklands
The Graham Andrew Parklands put Charleville on the botanical garden map. With working windmill, watercourses, natures walks, adventure playgrounds and more, you will be stunned by the beautiful nature that is Graham Andrew Parklands.
Enjoy a snag on the BBQ, kick a ball on the grass, enjoy a picnic in the parklands and enjoy a stroll through the native outback.
10. Learn about the Top Secret Mission of WWII
Back in 1942, Charleville Airport was handed over to the US as a top-secret base. During the second world war, the area was a village in its own right with 3500 united States servicemen serving in the area.
Uncover the many sites available and join in for a guided tour around the base. With the use of your own car, you can join in for a guided tour. With booking made at the Charleville Cosmos Centre, you can learn about all the secrets kept during WWII.
Heinemann’s Bakery
This award-winning bakery offers a full coffee shop menu, hearty breakfasts, specialty bread, pies, cakes and more. If you’re a lover of coffee, that you definitely want to stop off here to get your caffeine hit. With a wide selection of “city-style” coffee, you’ll be ready to get back on the road.
Open 7 days a week, you will find the bakery open from 6 am until 4.30 pm every day. With Breaky starting from 7 am and lunch finishing at 2 pm, you’ll enjoy a delectable meal to keep you going throughout the day. Fortunately, if you miss the kitchen, the bakery offers snacks from bagels to Cobb loaves, focaccias, sweets and more. So you don’t have to worry about going hungry.
The bakery offers a wide variety of Pies Pastries and beverages. You can pick up a quick lunch option that gets you back on the road in no time. If you happen to visit the Heinemann’s bakery, we’ve been informed that the Cheese Cake options are a favourite of both locals and visitors alike.
