“Who’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?” 8 Reasons to go to Winton Qld now!

Explore Australia

Apr 3

It’s a thriving outback town in far west Queensland that has plenty to do and see, and oh don’t forget, it’s the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda.

Winton’s main street - Image by Rob Mulally — Winton’s main street - *Image by Rob Mulally*

Banjo Paterson once holidayed here and scribed the words to that catchy song that many view as Australia’s unofficial national anthem. So who’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me in Winton? Here’s 8 things to do in Winton Qld if you get the urge to go outback…

1. Visit the Waltzing Matilda centre

A brand new, multi-million dollar Waltzing Matilda Centre officially opened in April 2018 due to the original building burning down in 2015. The good news is that most to the important stuff was salvaged from the fire and now there’s a bigger and better memory built from the words of Banjo Paterson.

North Gregory Hotel where Waltzing Matilda was first performed Image by Rob Mulally — North Gregory Hotel where Waltzing Matilda was first performed *Image by Rob Mulally*

The writer and poet spent some time around the Winton region and the words of Waltzing Matilda were first sung around a piano in the North Gregory Hotel, on the main street of Winton. You’ll learn all the history plus more facts about Winton (did you know it claims to be Qantas’ birthplace too) if you pay a visit to new Waltzing Matilda Centre .

Be part of celebrating the Outback community and join in at the Way out West Fest held annually towards the end of April.

2. Dig up a Dinosaur

Wrestling with a small meat eating dinosaur Image by Rob Mulally — Wrestling with a small meat eating dinosaur *Image by Rob Mulally*

Help uncover dinosaur bone’s at Winton’s Age of Dinosaurs where one of the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils are held. Visitors can Dig-a-Dino , Prep-a-Dino or just saunter around the Dinosaur Canyon which showcases life-size replicas that once wandered the region.

Dinosaur Canyon has life-size replicas of the region’s dinosaurs

Lark Quarry showcases fossilised tracks of a dinosaur stampede

Age of Dinosaurs is situated on the edge of a jump up with stunning views

AND be prepared for spectacular views across the Winton plains from the edge of a jump-up.130 kms away on the other side of town lies the Dinosaur Trackways at Lark Quarry. It’s a stampede of dinosaur tracks preserved in mud and reputed to be the only evidence of a dinosaur stampede on the planet.

3. Listen to a Bush Poet

It’s of no surprise that Bush Poets can be found following Banjo Patterson’s trail. During the winter period (April to October) poets take up residency in this little outback town and entertain the wave of travellers who descend on this area.

**Bush Poet Gregory North at the North Gregory Hotel**

Catch a poet at the North Gregory Hotel or at the Matilda Country Caravan Park Bush Poet shed (where you can grab a dinner too).

4. Watch a Movie under the Stars

Winton has its own Starry Sky cinema and their love of movie theatres dates back to the early 1900’s, when it was reputed to be a wild and rambunctious town.

Watching movies under the stars Image by Rob Mulally — Watching movies under the stars *Image by Rob Mulally*

At the Royal Open Air Theatre you can lounge on a canvas deckchair and soak in the atmosphere of the Australian Outback watching iconic Aussie films and viewing the Milky Way like you’ve never seen.

If you’re a movie buff, don’t miss the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival held annually in June.

5. Place a Bet on a Chicken

Chicken races are a regular at the North Gregory Hotel and money raised goes towards local charities.

Chicken Racing goes off at the North Gregory Hotel Image by Rob Mulally — Chicken Racing goes off at the North Gregory Hotel *Image by Rob Mulally*

All sorts of chaos erupts when the rainbow coloured critters are let out of their cages to chase a remote vehicle around a small course. Very entertaining and worth a look.

6. Play Waltzing Matilda on a Bush Fence

Unique and quirky just like you’d expect to find in the bush. This outdoor musical stadium sits on the outskirts of Winton and allows you to test your musical talents on everyday items that you’ll find lying around a farm.

**Tap into you inner drummer at Winton’s Musical Fence**

Rehearse your musical talents on the fence and see if you can tap out the tune to Waltzing Matilda using the score sheet available. The best thing is it’s free to use and there for every visitor to Winton to enjoy.

7. The Road out of Town

Winton’s the start (or end) of a journey that can take you straight across the heart of Australia (to Laverton WA) if you want to explore further afield.

**You won’t find too much traffic on this Highway**

The Outback Way, all 2,700kms of it, is known as Australia’s Longest Shortcut and allows you to drive East to West (or vice versa) without having to do the coastal route (and minus all the traffic). For more info click here > The Outback Way – A Great Central Road across Australia .

8. Bathe in the Water

This is not for the fainthearted as Winton’s water comes from the the Great Artesian Basin and its ‘smelly’ properties are infamous amongst road travellers. Trapped with the water is sulphur gas, which gives Winton’s water a distinctive smell. If the water is allowed to stand however, it allows the gas to escape, and chilled, it becomes the sweetest, cleanest water on earth. But be warned, the sulphur in the water also causes precious metals, especially silver, to tarnish. So take care not to wear your jewellery in the shower, and if your jewellery does tarnish, it’s nothing a good clean won’t cure!

So whether you pack in some extra drinking water before descending on Winton you really can’t afford to miss out on this little slice of Australian history nestled way out west in Outback Queensland.

Would you like to visit Winton Qld? What appeals to you most about the trip? Have you travelled Outback Australia?

Please Note: We received our tours complimentary BUT all views, opinions and photos in this article are 100% my own.