WINTON

Winton was originally know as the Pelican Water Hole and was first settled in 1875. It is considered one of Australia’s best known outback tourist towns and also recognized as the town that Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda. Waltzing Matilda was first publicly recited in 1895 at the Historic North Gregory Hotel. These legends reflect on the wealth of heritage in and about Winton. After fire destroyed the original Waltzing Matilda Centre, the new $22 million Centre reopened in April 2018.

Memories of yesteryear are kept alive at Winton’s Open Air Picture Theatre, built in 1938 and still operating today. Winton was also the birthplace of QANTAS, Australia’s National Airline. On the 21st February 1920, The Winton Club held its first board meeting, thus Qantas Airlines was born. Visitors can also experience the rugged beauty that is known as Matilda Country. Not too far along the dusty track you’ll discover history in its only preserved form at Lark Quarry, a Dinosaur stampede that has been recorded by nature over 100 million years ago.

Lark Quarry has the world’s only fossilized Dinosaur Footprint; marvel at tracks imbedded in earth. Opal mining in some areas around Winton reflect the past, the town of Opalton mirrors a step back in time as a preserved raw country. You can visit and explore the land that borne Australia’s National Gem Stone, the Boulder Opal. Winton has its own Great Wall, Arno’s Wall made by a man with vision and a sense of humour to boot, a must see!

Winton’s Shopping Centre has managed to move ahead yet hold onto the past, bringing into the present time historic icons like the Flying Fox and yet still successfully catering for all the needs of the locals and our tourists with a Library, Chemist, Hotels and Restaurants, Matilda’s Dress Shop, Opal Shops, Gem and Gift Store. Searles Store has managed to keep the traditional shopping that was found only in an Outback General Store. Winton has many more eye catching sites.

THINGS TO SEE & DO

  • Waltzing Matilda Centre

  • Local birds and wildlife

  • Australian Age of Dinosaurs

  • Lark Quarry Conservation Park

  • Bladensburg National Park

  • Royal Theatre open-air cinema

  • The Musical Fence

  • Diamantina Heritage Truck & Machinery Museum

  • Opal hunting

  • Galleries and Public Art

Stay Happy at The Boulder Opal Motor Inn.

Catering for families, business and leisure, we offer clean and spacious accommodation.

Stay Happy at The Boulder Opal Motor Inn.

Catering for families, business and leisure, we offer clean and spacious accommodation.