It’s not often you see a memorial to a tree, but Barcaldine’s Tree of Knowledge was no ordinary tree. It was part of the history of the town right from the very beginning of settlement.

The memorial, a gigantic cube made from recycled timber and placed on the site of the tree, recreates the size of the canopy of the tree when it was in its prime during the 1891 Great Shearers’ Strike, the event which led to the birth of the Australian Labor Party. The tree itself has undergone a preservation process and forms part of the memorial (pictured below).

Barcaldine also has an annual festival in its honour. The Tree of Knowledge Fest­ival, held during the May Day weekend, just gets bigger every year. The event starts on the Friday night with a sports dinner. On the same night, the inaugural Miniatures Art Exhibition and Sale will open with a wine and cheese evening.

One of the festival’s focal points this year will be The Run – bringing the whole atmosphere of a shearing shed to the main street of town. About 250 sheep will be shorn by six shearers during the two-hour event.

A horse race and a street parade are part of the festival. So is the Outback Revfest, which gives drag car racers a chance to bring out their 1000 horsepower vehicles for a drive down the main street for a ‘town cruise’ on Saturday night before the annual Revfest kicks into action on Sunday. The track has been upgraded for this year’s event.

Australia’s richest goat races are a favourite event. Three major races will be held and the six fastest entrants in those races will then line up for the John deGroot Australian Goat Racing Cup, which carries a total prizemoney of $2000.

Heritage of workers
Talking about goats, a goat museum is on the agenda for the Australian Workers Heritage Centre. The centre is a gorgeous place to reconnect with the history of all kinds of workers who have helped to build the nation, as well as enjoy the lovely landscape.

History and nature
While in Barcaldine, make a point of browsing around the Barcaldine Museum and to wander around the old Botanical Park which has been given a facelift.

Stay at the Barcaldine Country Motor Inn or Barcaldine Motel right in town. Whichever place you stay, you’ll be welcome at Barcaldine Country Motor Inn’s dining room for meals.