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Last Updated: 02 March 2016

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Last Updated: 02 March 2016

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.

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Last Updated: 13 May 2013

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.

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Last Updated: 02 March 2016

Located approximately 43 kilometers south east of Jundah. The park boasts a wide range of flora and fauna, which can be viewed along picturesque drives. There are also some marvellous opportunities for camping, hiking, photography and bird watching along the Barcoo River system.

A former grazing property, Welford was declared as a National Park in 1992.

The park protects examples of three arid zone land types: Mulga Lands, Mitchell Grass Downs and Channel Country.

Welford's varied habitats are important refuges for a diverse range of wildlife, including rare yellow-footed rock-wallabies and mulga parrots. Some species are at or beyond the limits of their recognised range, including mountain yapunyah, poplar box, the emerald spotted tree frog, and several skinks.

Things to do

Follow the flat expanse of the Barcoo River flood plains in the south of the park and take the Mulga Drive to the north-east where the stony escarpment country supports Mulga communities, dissected by sandy creeks and gullies.

Sawyer's Lookout offers views of the escarpment country, where the bright green foliage of the creek lines stands out like veins.

In the west, the Desert Drive travels through sandplains dominated by spinifex and Western bloodwood. The windswept ripples in the scattered red sand dunes are often crisscrossed with a myriad of animal tracks. The desert drive passes by several bores and other signs of its previous pastoral history.

Camping

A self-registration camping stand is located at Little Boomerang campground on the banks of the Barcoo River. Try a spot of fishing or boil the billy under the huge river red gums.

Plan your visit

Visit in April to September, when temperatures range from an overnight 0°C to a daytime 25°C. Most of the annual 300mm of rainfall falls in summer, and temperatures rise above 40°C.

Welford National Park is located 60km south-east of Jundah on the Barcoo River. Travel south-west from Blackall on the Yaraka Retreat Road, or travel north-west from Quilpie on the Diamantina Developmental Road to the Jundah - Quilpie road. Turn off the Jundah - Quilpie road at the park's entrance, which is 50km south-west of Jundah. 4WD vehicles are recommended.

For more information contact the Longreach District office on 07 4652 7333.

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Last Updated: 13 May 2013