Charleville is the hub of south west Queensland and home to the largest Royal Flying Doctor Service base in the region.
It’s also brimming with historical and natural wonders.
To begin your exploration, grab a self-guided Charleville Heritage Trail map from the Visitor Information Centre and and set out along the main streets. This charming outback town is home to buildings dating back to the 1800s, as well as painted murals, silo art and wrought iron sculptures.
One of the most famous historic landmarks in town, Hotel Corones is one of the few masonry buildings from the 1920s still standing today. It played host to aviators, royal family members and local icons in its day, and now remains as a great place to stay the night. The restaurant serves delicious cocktails and elevated pub classics, perfect for relaxing after a long day.
At Charleville Cosmos Centre, you can immerse yourself in Queensland’s largest planetarium, and discover the hidden wonders of the night sky. On a Big Sky Observatory tour, experts will take you on a night-sky journey using state-of-the art Meade telescopes while discussing the science and mythology surrounding the constellations.
During the day, head to the Graham Andrews Parklands to wander through this award-winning park and garden. On the Outback Timber Walk, you will find 18 different species of outback trees, and kids will enjoy feeding the ducks while you admire the rustic sculptures. Hidden within the parklands are the Steiger Vortex Rainmaking Guns, which were fired at a cloudy sky in the hopes of breaking the drought in 1902. There are also plenty of bird species that make their homes here, including galahs, parrots and cockatoos.
Just a short drive from town is the Charleville Botanic Reserve, a 2000 hectare reserve offering 4WD and AWD self-guided tours. The driving route will take you through spinifex and mulga forests, across a swamp, and over a sand ridge as you watch for birds and other native wildlife. Picnic tables are located across the site, making it a great place for a delicious lunch among nature.
For a unique up-close animal encounter, head to the Charleville Bilby Experience. Following a guided tour, where you can see these endangered animals in their nocturnal house and learn all about the breeding and release program hosted here, you have the chance to ask the friendly staff any burning questions about one of Australia’s most iconic – and cutest – animals. If you’re visiting in September, stay for the annual National Bilby Day Festival to enjoy food stalls, busy markets and bilby races.
Another must-do is a visit to the WWII Secret Base – an interactive exhibition centre exploring Charleville’s role in the war between 1942-1946. Learn all about the 3500 US Army Air Force personnel stationed here, as well as classified missions and war-time romances, Plus, the simulation B-17 bomber gives visitors the chance to command their own bombing mission and experience what it would have been like for troops in service.
For even more history, check out the Charleville Historic House Museum. First built in 1887 as the town’s national bank, it then went on to serve as a private boarding house. In 1970, it was purchased by the District Historical society and transformed into a museum filled with antiques and memorabilia dating back to the 1800s. When visiting, you’ll be able to spot many original features such as marble fireplaces and the vault. Learn about early day machinery on the grounds, and step back in time.
To read about more must-do activities in Charleville, click here.
