Endless Holiday

Barcaldine is located in Queensland Australia at the crossroads of the Matilda and Capricorn highways. The town is an ideal location in which to stay when exploring the west-central area of Queensland. There is a vast array of accommodation and shopping facilities from which to choose when sojourning in Barcaldine, and with a population of only 1700, it is also a very relaxing town in which to unwind and rest.

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An Interesting History

Although a low-key area, Barcaldine is well known throughout the world for its role in the encouragement of the Australian labour movement. The symbol of the strike which lead to the formation of the Australian Labour party is referred to as the “Tree of Knowledge,” which stands in front of the Oak Street Railway Station. A monument in the shape of a shearing scissors stands beside the tree in honour of the shearers who formed the initial strike in 1891.

The Barcaldine Folk Museum

The Barcaldine Folk Museum is an attraction no visitor should miss when spending time in this intriguing city. The museum is open each day and features a vast array of memorabilia collected from local residents. Whilst its appearance is a bit eclectic at first glance, there is a wide variety of unique objects in the museum that one can examine, including an Edison gramophone dating back to the early 20th century, an authentic Southern Cross windmill and the town’s first motorised fire truck.

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Landmarks and Buildings

The Masonic Lodge on Beech Street is arguably one of Barcaldine’s most notable structures. Originally designed as a bank in the early 1900s, its elaborate arches and friezes are actually illusions created through the clever use of paint, and the effect is impressive.

Saint Peter’s Church is also a stunning landmark that is well-worth visiting. The structure of the church is a superb example of the creative way lumber is used in Queensland. Built in 1899, the church and its intricate tongue-in-groove planks make it a perfect example of the outstanding architecture for which Queensland is famous.

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Located just outside of Barcaldine is the Beta Farm Slab Hut. This attraction is a superbly crafted reconstruction of an 1885 building through which visitors can tour. It contains an extensive display of interesting items from the 19th century including a beautiful antique doll collection and intricately designed handmade cupboards.

Barcaldine is also home to the old world Radio Theatre, featuring a working windmill and original canvas seats. A beautiful sculpture designed by a handful of young members of the Barcaldine community stands in front of the theatre.

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Although off the beaten path, traveling to Barcaldine is not difficult as the Barcaldine Airport is located only 1 kilometer from Gidyea Street–part of the town’s central square. Balcaldine has much to offer visitors and holidaymakers, and those who spend time in this intriguing part of Australia can expect to have an enjoyable and relaxing experience.