CHINCHILLA
Just over three hours drive from Brisbane along the Warrego Highway, you will come across the friendly town of Chinchilla.
Chinchilla is known as the ‘Melon Capital’ of Australia and biennially the fun and amusing Melon Festival is held in town. In fact 25 per cent of the Australia’s total watermelon crop is produced here. Chinchilla Melons are known as the ‘glamour’ melon for the size, colour and flavour.
With its many sporting clubs and facilities there are always activities going on in the Shire. Golf, tennis, bowls, shooting, water sports, polocrosse, rodeos and camp drafting are just a few of the things you can get involved in while in town. The Chinchilla Weir is a great venue for water sports.
The name Chinchilla is believed to be derived from the Aboriginal word for cypress pine: ‘Jinchilla’. The town itself is still noted for its supply of cypress pine, a termite resistant building material.
The explorer Ludwig Leichhardt passed through the area in October 1844. A monument erected in his honour can be seen in the Pioneer Cemetery on the highway through town.Chinchilla is renowned for the quality of its petrified wood, known as ‘Chinchilla Red’. If you are new to fossicking or are looking for new pieces to build your collection, make your way to the Tourist Information Centre for a fossicking licence.
The local museum features a steam sawmill as well as mobile and static steam engines. The interesting collection of memorabilia at the museum is housed in a number of historic buildings from the local area. Its grounds are a lovely spot for a picnic. Fishing enthusiasts can throw in their lines at many spots on the Condamine River, including Archer’s Crossing.
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