Julia Creek is a small town in the heart of the outback, that sits on Overlander’s Way, approximately 650km west of Townsville and 250km east of Mt Isa. If you are ever travelling along the Way, or around the McKinlay Shire, be sure to stop because you will not regret it! Here are our favourite things to do in the area.
Stretch your legs…
After a long day on the road, stretch your legs by going on a historical walk around town. Pick up a map from the visitor’s centre and go for a stroll. There are 38 signposted spots around town. As you pass the RSL, be sure to keep an eye out for the Spirit of the Light Horse Sculpture, an incredible sculpture made out of vintage metal objects collected locally.
Attend the Dirt n Dust Festival
Why not plan your visit to Julia Creek around the infamous Dirt n Dust Festival in April? Trust us, this is a music festival like no other, with horse racing, bull rides, a best butt competition and a gruelling triathlon all on the agenda! It is so popular that the tiny town swells to a massive 3000 people in over the course of the weekend. See what Lee Carseldine thought of the festival in the video below…
https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandWeekender/videos/326330321395927/
Meet a Dunnart
Julia Creek is home to an adorable furry creature called a dunnart. Pop into Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre to catch a glimpse of the two dunnarts that call it home. We would recommend timing your visit with one of Donald and Duncan’s feeding times.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMKifL5gNsB/
Visit the Donald McIntryre Museum
If you are looking to learn about the area, pop into the Donald McIntryre Museum. The Museum is named after the brother of first European settler in the area, and is full of old records, photographs and farm equipment, and local fossils which are over 110 million years old!
Check out an authentic pub
29km west of Julia Creek is Gilliat, home to the Eddington Arms Hotel. This extraordinary corrugated iron pub was built in 1908 and has gone largely unchanged since then. Even though the hotel closed in 2000, we recommend a visit to see the hotel coined the most authentic 20th century western Queensland pub while you are on the road.
Unwind in the Artesian Bath Houses
If you are needing an excuse to stay the night in Julia Creek, let the Artesian Baths at the Julia Creek Caravan Park convince you! The baths are set up in a private bath house and offer a beautiful outback view that will have you soaking for hours…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqzVGKzgHnu/
Have a bush dinner
If you are visiting between April and September, and on a Monday night, treat yourself to an award-winning Bush Dinner at the Julia Creek Caravan Park. Sit around the campfire and have a true blue Aussie dinner – it’s a great night!
For more ideas about things to see and do in Outback Queensland, visit our website.
By Kate Nutting
