Charleville is south-western Queensland’s version of the Big Smoke, so expect to find a lot to see and do while you’re here.

Start at the Charleville Visitor Information Centre, situated at the Cosmos Centre in Qantas Drive. The centre is open daily from April to October and Monday to Saturday from November to March. As well as the attractions mentioned on the following pages, Charleville has a score of interesting things to do.

On American soil ...
Join a convoy tour from the information centre to learn about when the Charleville Airport was American soil. It was all part of a top secret Norden Bomb Site during World War II.

Talk about the weather
If you’ve ever wondered how meteorologists predict the weather, you can find out at the Charleville Bureau of Meteorology and see a weather balloon release. Guided tours are held at 8.45am from Monday to Thursday.

Native timber walk
Around the lake at Graham Andrews Park is an area where you can wander among 18 species of arid area Australian native trees. They are identified by plaques and you can buy a booklet with the full details from the visitors centre.

Walk into history
Get some exercise while you discover some of Charleville’s history with a self-guided heritage walk. You can get a map or, even better, buy a CD and take the Charleville Audio Heritage Walking Trail and hear the stories of the past, complete with sound effects. The trail starts at the Charleville Railway Station. Then go further afield with the Charleville Audio Heritage Driving Trail, which takes you to landing sites of early aviators, old woolscour ruins and even a brewery site from days gone by.

Follow the stock route
In just half a day, you can cover the Ward River 4X4 Stock Route Trail. During the 97km drive, enjoy the beautiful outback scenery, sun, pastoral history and the flora and fauna of the outback. The Ward River is a tributary of the Warrego River. A self-guided map is available at the visitors centre.