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Magee's Shanty
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Approximately 90km from Jundah towards Yaraka is the historic site of the shanty immortalised in Banjo Paterson's poem "A Bush Christening", not far from the ruins of the Cobb & Co pub and the lonely grave of goldminer Richard Magoffin who perished in 1885.
To visit this historic site and if you are travelling from Jundah; take the Quilpie- Retreat road as far as the crossroads at Retreat station, turn left onto the Retreat - Yaraka road and travel approximately 55.9km, take the turn off to your left and travel a further 4.4km to the Shanty turn off (this time on your right) Magee's Shanty is in about 500m.
If you miss the turn off from the Retreat - Yaraka Road, you know you have gone to far if you reach Powell's Creek (this is just past the turn off over a grid).
Richard Magoffin's grave can also been found not far from the shanty site.
Things To Do
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Discover Barcoo Shire's diverse outback landscapes and unique people of our small towns. Our site features must-see locations and must-do activities during your visit to the channel country.
Windorah is surrounded by scenic countryside, picturesque ruins and spectacular red sandhills. Cooper Creek, immortalised in poetry by Andrew "Banjo" Paterson, is one of the great natural attractions of Windorah. There are also ruins, mostly old pub sites, situated within 90km of the town.
Jundah is at the centre of sheep and cattle grazing land and is the administrative centre for the shire. The Barcoo Shire Museum is open 24 hours and there you'll find everything from antique mortuary tools to an old Royal Flying Doctor Service medicine kit.
Situated just off the Thomson Developmental Road, Stonehenge is a small town with a population of 40. You won't find any standing stones like that of England's Stonehenge, but you will find friendly people, beautiful scenery, and great camping and fishing.
Browse our site for more things to do in Barcoo Shire.
Historical Timeline
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| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1877 | First mail delivery was received by coach. |
| 1883 | Jundah Gazetted as a township. |
| 1884 | Post and Telegraph Office was built. |
| 1885 | Barcoo Divisional Board formed. |
| 1888 | Inaugural meeting of Barcoo Divisional Board - 21 August. |
| 1890 | Jundah Police Station was built. |
| 1892 | First culvert constructed in the western area at Stonehenge Crossing. |
| 1900 | Major opal find in Jundah District. |
| 1900 | Queensland National Bank Branch opened in Jundah. |
| 1902 | Jundah hospital was erected. |
| 1902 | Local Authorities Act assented - 26 December. |
| 1903 | Barcoo Shire Council established - 31 March. |
| 1904 | Isisford Shire became a separate authority from Barcoo Shire Council - 28 December. |
| 1916 | Installation of supply tanks for Jundah Water Scheme. |
| 1917 | Jundah Shire Hallerected. |
| 1918 | Town Water Supply installed in Jundah. |
| 1939 | The Barcoo Shire Office in Jundah was completed. |
| 1939 | Administration Centre of the Barcoo Shire Council moved from Stonehenge to Jundah - 11 November. |
| 1940 | TAA Services began. |
| 1952 | Council housing erected in Jundah. |
| 1953 | Electricity was connected to the town of Jundah. |
| 1961 | Barcoo Shire Memorial Park officially opened inJundah. |
| 1964 | Bridge over Thomson at Jundah opened. |
| 1973 | TAA Services ceased. |
| 1983 | Television services available in Jundah. |
| 1988 | Jundah Telephone Exchange began automatic operations. |
| 1996 | Jundah Water Treatment plant began operation for clear water supply. |
| 1997 | Public swimming pool in Jundah opened by Hon Vaughan Johnson MLA, Member for Gregory. |
| 1998 | Jundah to Longreach bitumen completed and opened officially by Hon Vaughan Johnson, Member for Gregory. |
| 1999 | Queensland Government Agency (QGAP) was officially opened although it had been in operation since November 1998. |
| 2000 | Pilot activated aerodrome lighting became operational in Jundah opened by Mr Gordon Victor. |
| 2001 | Untreated water reticulated throughout Jundahfor garden use. |
| 2002 | Dickson Street upgrade of underground power and new street lighting. |
| 2005 | The Rural Transaction Centre / Information Centre was opened along with the relocation of the public library. |
| 2007 | The Jundah - Windorah Road was completely sealed. |
Barcoo Shire Museum
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For a slice of life in Jundah in years gone by, visit the Barcoo Shire Museum.
Now relocated to the corner of Miles and Macrossan Streets, the shire museum was instigated by a group of Barcoo Shire women who saw the need to preserve the history of the shire and communities within. This eventuated in the official opening of the Barcoo Shire Museum on 13 October 1989.
The museum reflects glimpses from the past, displaying kerosene-case furniture, mortuary tools, early education and further relics from the pioneer days including the mysterious barcoo dog.
The museum committee also undertook the restoration of two wagons, and after many voluntary hours they are now displayed in the Barcoo Shire Memorial Park.
Historic Building
This century old building today, on the shop front, boasts a mural painted in 1990 by the school children of the Jundah State School. The building was originally established in 1899 as Cartwright's general store.
Historic Wagons
A bullock drawn wool wagon and general purpose wagon are displayed in the Barcoo Shire Memorial Park.
For more information:
Jundah Information Centre
Ph: 07 4658 6930 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About Barcoo Shire
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Barcoo Shire is a remote rural shire located in Central Western Queensland. It incorporates the towns of Jundah, Stonehenge and Windorah. The population of the Shire is approximately 360.
Barcoo Shire covers an expanse of 61,974 square kilometres and borders with the Longreach Regional Council and the shires of Winton, Diamantina, Quilpie and Bulloo, and the South Australian border.
The Shire's primary river systems are the Thomson and Barcoo, which amalgamate above Windorah to become Cooper's Creek. All rivers and creeks within the Shire merge and flow southwest towards South Australia, terminating at Lake Eyre.
The Shire's main industry is beef production and to a lesser extent wool production, opal mining, earthmoving works, and tourism and hospitality. Recent times have seen the discovery of reserves of oil and gas within the Shire, which has led to considerable development in that industry.