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Welford National Park
In Welford National Park, wind-blown sand dunes form a dramatic contrast to white-barked ghost gums, golden-green spinifex and delicate wildflowers. The Barcoo River, with its large permanent waterholes, dissects Mitchell grass plains and arid mulga woodlands.
Remnants of Aboriginal heritage and use, including water wells and stone arrangements, are found throughout the park. A rare pise (rammed earth) homestead, built on this former grazing property in 1882, is now staff quarters.
Watch wildlife, including colourful Major Mitchell cockatoos, mallee ringnecks and red-winged parrots. Red and grey kangaroos and wallaroos are a common sight at Welford. Drive the self-guided scenic tracks around the park. Go fishing (size and big limits apply). Enjoy bush camping at Little Boomerang, on the Barcoo River. Permits required.
For more information or to book a camping site, please visit the Welford National Park website.
FACILITIES
- Picnic Area
- Toilets
- Riverside Camping Sites
ACTIVITIES
- 4WD tracks
- Birdwatching
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Walking Tracks
Thomson River
Discover and explore the Thomson at your leisure. There are a variety of recreational activities available including fishing, yabbying, kayaking, birdwatching or just simply relaxing.
The Native Well
Located 32km North East of Jundah is the Native Well. Here is where the local Aboriginal people captured valuable water supplies. These wells supplies good, sweet water. These wells are hand made selecting the correct place to situate the wells, build a fire and crack the rock to create a water reservior. The hard top rock country provided the best bestoff in the wet to fill the wells.
Barcoo Shire Museum
Located on Macrossan Street, Jundah, the Historial Museum offers a window into the early pioneering times of the district. The history of the Barcoo Shire is in good hands, thanks to the determination of local residents. There is also interest undercover outdoors at the Museum's grounds are two wagons that were used for general fright and wool carting during the pioneer days. The Barcoo Shire Museum is open all year round from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Historical site of Magee’s Shanty
Visit the historical site of Magee's Shanty, a piece of our Shire's history about 90 kms east-southeast of Jundah. The site was put on the map by Banjo Paterson in the heyday of ballad writing and mentioned in his poem “A Bush Christening”.
It is believed that Banjo was writing the poem about Mr. Tim McPhellamy and his ten-year-old son who were on Sedan Station, and at one time owned the Welford Lagoon Hotel. The McPhellamy boys’ parents resided at the Shanty Pub for some time working their carrier teams before moving to Windorah where Tim was a butcher and later took over the Western Star Hotel in 1912, which still stands today.
A few hundred metres east of these ruins is the resting place of gold prospector Richard Magoffin who at the age of 52 years perished on the 6th of December 1885 in search of water for his horses during a severe dust storm.
Barcoo Shire Memorial Park
Visit the Barcoo Memorial Park accross from the Jundah General Store. Pause at the memorial cenotaph which bears the names of soldiers from the Shire who volunteered their services and fought in the two World Wars and the Boer War. Take a relaxing break in the green oasis; enjoy the BBQ facilities, picnic area and the kids playground. The War Memorial Park also had showers and toilets available for use.
Settler’s Nature Drive
The start of the Settler's Nature Drive is at Thomson River. Follow the 7km loop to see desert spinifex, swampland, gidgee strants, mulga and a variety of trees. Along the way are signs to make indentification easier. This drive takes you along the banks of the Thomson River and extends behind the Jundah township and brings your back out on the Jundah - Quilpie Road.
Archer Bros Pioneer Pathway
Take a leisurely walk around the outskirts of town along the path, stopping to read information on Jundah's rich history.
Welcome to Jundah Signs
At first, these signs look just like a little old rustic shop front. Upon closer inspection you will discover the history of Jundah. There are four entrances to Jundah and each one has its own Welcome to Jundah sign.
Barcoo River Crossing
On the southern edge of Welford National Park, you'll find the Barcoo River Crossing. The crossing is used for birdwatching, fishing and general river activities. The waters of the River flow towards Lake Eyre in central Australia. The River forms a boundary between Outback Australia and the 'Far Outback'.
Retreat Crossing
The Retreat Crossroads is named after Retreat Station homestead, which is located here. The following townships can be located from this crossing;
- Yaraka - approximately 90kms
- Jundah - approximately 50kms
- Windorah - approximately 80kms
- Quilpie - approximately 250kms
Jundah Race Club
Early October of every year the Jundah Race Club hold their annual race meet. The annual race meet is the towns highlight, a favourite event for the locals and visitors. With plenty of action including a five race program. fashions on the field and night entertainment until late. For further information on the Jundah Annual Race Meet contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Jundah Golf Club
On the Longreach road into Jundah you will see a turnoff to the left hand side to the Jundah Gold Course. The Jundah Golf Club boasts an 18 hole sand greens course, set amongst a rustic landscape featuring distinctive flora and fauna. The challenging golf course offers an unforgettable experience, whether you're a keen amateur golfer or experience player. The Jundah Golf Club committee was established in 1967, the club was originally made up of 36 members. Today, both amateurs and experienced players regularly get together to complete this course before returning to the club house for refreshments.
FACILITIES
- Fully licenced Club House
- Open 7 days, 6am - 7pm
- Cart Hire available
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For further information about Things to Do in Jundah, please contact the Jundah Information Centre.
How to get here
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FLY
Qantas operates direct flights from Brisbane to Longreach daily, for bookings, please visit the Qantas website.
Avis car hire is available at the Longreach terminal to make a booking, please call 07 4650 1000, operating hours are:
Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 8:30am to 12:00pm
Regional Express Airlines operates flights to and from Windorah, Monday (Western flights), Tuesday (Eastern Flights), Thursday (Western Flights), Friday (Easter Flights). For bookings, please visit the REX wesbite
DRIVE
Jump in the car a DRIVE! All three towns are located approximately 1,200 kilometres from Brisbane, our States capital! Check out our Self Drive Tours for further itinerary ideas!
Stonehenge
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Situated 151kms from Longreach on the Thomson Development Road, Stonehenge heartily welcomes all visitors. When asked what they most enjoy about Stonehenge, people say the warm welcome and peace and quiet. Chat with the local residents to discover some of the history or follow directions to the John Egan Pioneer Track to see some fantastic landscapes and views.
Situated close to the Thomson River just out of flood reach Stonehenge is the ideal spot to relax for a few days.
To sign the visitors book Stonehenge style, you write your name in stone directly beside the main road not far from town. This tradition started years ago by the then mailman - the rest is history! Take some time to read through the many names and places. Please remember if leaving your mark not to remove stones already in use.
XXXX Hill is a scenic vantage point with breathtaking 360 degree views of the Thomson River flood plains and surrounding Johnstone Ranges.
Less than 6km from Stonehenge and completely unexpected is a series of magnificent rock holes framed with ghostly white gum trees.
Travel along the John Egan Pioneer Track and discover magnificent landscapes sculptured by nature into the most amazing rock formations over millions of years.
A little further towards Jundah, you crest the jump-up and Swanvale Lookout - a fantastic spot to boil the billy with picnic tables & fire places.
Join the locals at the Stonehenge Hotel for lunch and a cold drink, stop over and take your time to explore this magic landscape.
Windorah
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Windorah is the Aboriginal word meaning "Big Fish" and is located 35km south of where the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers join to form the multi-channelled Cooper’s Creek.
From here the mighty Cooper commences its epic journey towards Lake Eyre. Pushing through a mosaic of channels and flood plains that stretch outwards from its banks for up to 100kms, Cooper Creek in flood is surely the beating heart of the Channel Country.
With waterholes spanning up to 10kms in length there is generally great fishing to be had with catches of yellowbelly, catfish and bream. Smaller channels are great for catching fabulous yabbies - one of the great bush delicacies.
A 12km nature drive from just outside town to the Cooper’s Creek crossing is a must to learn about the huge range of flora native to the area.
The sand hills 12km to the west of town are the deepest red you will ever see. A western sunset over these magnificent hills is very photogenic and there is definitely no shortage of them just a short distance from town on the road to Birdsville.
An original slab hut, circa 1906 built on the banks of the Whitula Creek has been relocated to the grounds of the Visitor Information Centre and forms the centre piece of the Whitula gate museum. The museum features in an interesting historical display, retelling the history of the town and its people.
80kms west of Windorah lies the JC pub ruins, once part of the township site of Canterbury, the ruins and the small town cemetery is a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of our early pioneers and their children whilst living in the outback.
Windorah is also now home to an amazing Solar Power Farm, and definitely worth the stop at the viewing bay to observe the farm and learn about generating power from the sun, this plant supplies Windorah with most of its energy requirements.
The Information and History walk/drive around the town of Windorah is a great way to learn about the points of interest around the town. You will learn about the old court house which is now an icon of the town, to discovering the beautifully maintained and unique town cemetery.
While in Windorah call into the Visitor Information Centre, there’s free tea and coffee, information on road conditions, souvenirs, local craft and free Wifi.
Jundah
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Nestled safely above the floodplain of the Thomson River, downstream from Stonehenge, Jundah is the Administration Centre for the Barcoo Shire. Tranquillity is the drawcard, offering a carefree lifestyle abound with country hospitality.
The river so close to town, offers the avid birdwatcher and fisherman the chance to take things easy or if its some physical action your seeking kayak the serene waters. The Settlers' Nature Drive meanders along the river bank before venturing through diverse land types. Plant species are identified along the way.
The Native Well, located 32km north of Jundah on the Stonehenge road, was a valuable water source for indigenous people in days gone by - marvel at how these wells were manually created.
The historical site of Magee's Shanty (of Banjo Patterson's Bush Christening Fame) lies about 100kms to the south east of the town. Call in at the information centre to ask for directions.
Unique "Welcome Signs" to the town replicate the historic shop front still to be seen in the main street of Jundah. Each of the signs are linked together by a walking trail and contains different information giving an insight into the early years of the township.
One of the most fascinating areas to visit whilst in the Heart of the Channel Country is the 124,000ha Wellford National Park. With its' wide expanses of spinifex, red sand hills, mulga lands and majestic waterholes the incredible wildlife is in abundance. There are two outstanding drives to take following the Barcoo River, one to the west, the other to the east. Camping is permitted at the designated campsites with the ranger to acquire your permit and any updates to changes to conditions within the park are obtainable at www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/welford.
After days exploring or losing the big one that got away, refresh in the swimming pool adjacent to the park - a great way to relax and unwind.