THE TOWN of Eulo has been a tiny but popular stopping spot ever since the area was discovered by the explorer Dowling when he crossed the Paroo River in 1864.
The town became established because of its convenience as a stopover on the east-west stock route.
Many travellers who stop in Eulo today inevitably return because they like the town’s relaxed atmosphere, where cattle can be seen wandering the main road and the 40 local residents are welcoming and sociable.
There are more than 20 businesses ranging from stock work contractors to arts and crafts, 100 per cent employment and a ‘never say die’ attitude in this little town.
Perhaps the best known stop in town is the Eulo General Store, which since the 1880s has had the reputation of being able to supply nearly anything.
Eulo General Store owner Garry Berghofer, once a beekeeper, is a passionate promoter of the local honey industry and by-products. His store sells local Paroo honey and the popular range of Paroo skin care products. There’s also a glass observation hive, where you can see the bees hard at work.
The store stocks a huge range of camping and fishing gear, CDs and cassettes, souvenirs, clothing, auto equipment, groceries, fuel and supplies. The diversity of stock is amazing - a real bowerbird’s paradise. Make sure you check out Janine Haig’s bush poetry books. She was the winner of the Bronze Swagman Award for both written and performance sections in 2003 - the first person ever to win both awards.
If you’re feeling a bit peckish, have a cappuccino with a sandwich or pie while relaxing on the locally manufactured beefwood outdoor settings. Then wander around the side of the shop to see the World War II bomb shelter.
People going to the opal fields or out to the famous lakes at Currawinya National Park usually stock up at the Eulo Store before they head out, plus get any information they need about tourist attractions and road conditions. The store is open seven days.
Also within the store is the Eulo Bilby Burrow and Art Gallery and the Eulo Queen Opal Centre. The gallery features a collection of local art including traditional aboriginal paintings by Geoff Manthey, son of well known bilby advocate Frank Manthey. His work represents some of the finest aboriginal art coming out of the southwest Queensland corner today.
Back in the days when hotel owner Isobel Robinson was known as the Eulo Queen, opals were the lifeblood of the town. More than a century later, they are again becoming an integral industry in the town.
The Eulo Queen Opal Centre features a range of locally and commercially manufactured opal jewellery varying from classic settings to unique modern designs.
Rough and cut stones from the Koroit fields are available plus a variety of species, chips and sample jars. The centre also provides a contract ultra-sonic drilling service.
While in town, take the heritage walking trail, being offered as part of the Queensland Heritage Trails Network.
Self-guided booklets are available at the Eulo General Store and will direct you to the cemetery, lizard race track and old horse race track, old buildings, native trees and the Chinaman’s Garden.
