The museum is open from 7.00am every day (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) and offers a fascinating insight into the early years of the town. There’s an antique piano which is older than Barcaldine itself, round playing cards, a 125-year Scottish paper fan which is still in perfect condition and even a display of birds’ eggs. An unusual exhibit incorporates machine guns captured from the Japanese by the 26th Battalion.

See old wagons and a 1923 fire engine which is in mint condition. There’s an old railway cottage and a two-storey manager’s office brought in from Westbourne 9km east of Barcaldine.

Australian Antique Bottle Collecting Society Museum
Barcaldine’s newest attraction also puts the emphasis firmly on history, only in a much more specific way, featuring glass from the past.

Rick Williams has brought his amazing collection of more than 7000 bottles to Barcaldine where he has put them on display all around the walls at his Federation-style home at 133 Ash Street.

His aim is to preserve the history of antique bottles in Australia and he says the old house makes a perfect backdrop for the display.

The museum is open seven days from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Admission includes a cuppa.