JULIA Creek will celebrate a century of existence this year.

Located on the Overlander’s Way (Flinders Highway), Julia Creek came into existence as the railway forged through the North West region. The settlement was originally called Hilton, and the first official train arrived on February 28, 1908. Julia Creek grew as the railway line was extended.

Come and help Julia Creek celebrate its first 100 years. Main centenary celebrations will take place from July 20 to 22 with a street parade, mardi gras, ute muster, aerobatics display, centenary race meeting on the Saturday followed by the Centenary Ball at the Civic Centre with much, much more during the weekend.

A feeling for the town’s past can be gained from a visit to the Duncan McIntyre Museum in Burke Street. It has an interesting collection of mem­orabilia including a restored railway carriage.

This district’s main industries are cattle, sheep and mining at BHP Cann­ington. Established near McKinlay in 1997, BHP Cannington was the official supplier of silver to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and is also the largest producer of silver and lead in the world.

One of Australia’s major triathlon events continues to create a huge profile for this community-minded Outback town. Julia Creek and its Dirt ’n’ Dust Festival attracts huge media attention and includes the famous triathlon and the Artesian Express Races – the richest horse races in the northwest.

If you enjoy horse sports the McKinlay Races are held in May, there is also the Julia Creek Campdraft. If you’ve never been to a campdraft, this is your chance to see the incredible skill and horsemanship that goes into the sport. For more horse-and-rider action, there is also Saxby roundup held in the first week of July.

Julia Creek itself has a long and interesting history. The first recorded Europeans in the area were the brothers Duncan and Donald McIntyre. It is believed that Duncan followed the trail made by Burke and Wills.

The township of Julia Creek was named after a niece and aunt of theirs. Julia Creek was called Hilton and was first settled in 1890. Both the town and creek names were changed by McIntyre, from Hilton to Julia and the creek from Scorpion to Julia Creek. But Julia Creek’s real growth didn’t start until the railway eliminated the need for a Cobb & Co exchange station at the shanty pub on an old earth dam east of the present Julia Creek Cemetery.

If you’re towing a caravan, book in to the Julia Creek Caravan Park. There’s a camp kitchen so you can spread out a bit while preparing your meals. Relax after a long day in the naturally heated artesian spa. In the late afternoon, take a stroll along the nature trail at the back of the caravan park to enjoy the wonderful birdlife and watch the sun setting.

One of Julia Creek’s landmarks is the 30m wineglass-shaped water tower. The tower has blue-coloured feature lighting, creating a visual effect that can be seen as you approach Julia Creek from up to 20km away. The tower stands above one of four bores supplying water to the town from the Great Artesian Basin.

While visiting Julia Creek, experience something completely different and see Proa Redclaw Farm. This farm officially received its aquaculture licence in 2002. The 12 ponds use artesian water, and some ponds have up to 16,000 redclaw in them. Self-drive tours are available to the farm. Bookings can only be made at the Julia Creek Information Centre in Burke Street.

A driving adventure within McKinlay Shire can be an incredibly rewarding experience. In nearly every direction from Julia Creek there are fascinating things to see. The distances are long - but then, it’s a big shire, covering about 41,000 square kilometres.

In some places there are gems, moon rocks and fossils to be found. In others, there’s all the natural history you could desire. Birdwatching is another rewarding pastime. Grab a bird list from Julia Creek’s information centre-library complex in Burke Street (the main street).

Take the “beef road” leading to Normanton, where you pass through Dalgonally Station. This was the first settlement in the area and Donald MacIntyre’s grave is here.

Further on is Sedan Dip, famous in the area for its big campdraft and race weekend. At other times, enjoy swimming, fishing and yabbying in the area. There’s usually a lot of wildlife to be seen on this road.

For those who like the water, there are some excellent places for swimming. The Punch Bowl Waterhole, on the Flinders River about 45km northeast of Julia Creek, is a fine spot for a picnic and a swim.

Off in a different direction is the Eddington Waterhole, about 20km west of town on the Eastern Creek. As well as fishing, swimming and yabbying, people can waterski there.

Visit other areas in the shire including the small townships of McKinlay and Kynuna at the southern end of the shire. For internet access and brochures on the area, visit the Julia Creek Information Centre.