“IT WAS an amazing sight - the water had spread out so far it was 8km wide, plus it was half a metre higher than the previous record,” said Garry Berghofer of the recent flooding in Eulo.

“When you think about it, that’s a huge body of water. And now it’s an amazing sight because the country is at its best. It hasn’t looked so fine for many years.”

Once a droving stopover on the east-west stock route, Eulo is still a popular stopping spot for visitors, who love the town’s relaxed atmosphere and the fact that 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.

One of the town’s most popular businesses is the Eulo General Store, which since the 1880s has had the reputation of being able to supply nearly anything. 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. It’s a real bowerbird’s paradise.
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.

Just a couple of doors up is the old Telegraph Building, now 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.

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.

Birdwatchers love the Eulo district. They come looking for the rare Hall’s babbler and Burke’s parrot among the abundant birdlife. The Six-Mile Bore is world renowned for birdwatching.

Ask at the Eulo Store for directions. Also ask about the two nature drives that are available. The Billabong Nature Drive in particular features an abundant bird habitat, so if you’re a twitcher, don’t miss Eulo!