McKinlay Shire Council PO Box 177, Julia Creek Qld 4823 Phone (07) 4746 7166 At the Creek (Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre) Cnr Burke and Julia Sts, Julia Creek Qld 4823 Phone (07) 4746 7690 See Julia Creek's newest tourist attraction - the visitor centre! Interpretive centre takes you through outdoor audio stations, movies and static displays. Email: tourism@mckinlay.qld.gov.au Website: www.mckinlay.qld.gov.au

Lots to see At the Creek

JULIA CREEK’S new visitors centre has a simple but unusual name - At the Creek. It’s also the latest must-see attraction in town.

At the Creek, situated on the corner of Burke and Julia Streets, is designed to take visitors on an ecological and cultural journey. The interpretive centre has been built in such a way that even when the vis­itors centre is not manned, people are able to wander through the complex and access information from outdoor audio stations and at night via the outdoor video screen.

Four historic buildings have been relocated to the site. Railway fettlers’ cottages have become the main reception area and nearby display rooms. The display rooms incorporate touch button plasma screens to share the history, culture and industry unique to the district.
The other building once did service as the local jail but now has a combined use as a theatrette for visitors and a multi-purpose room for locals.

Outside, paths not only lead to a central outdoors display but also follow special themes. The Creek Path uses the rich colours of the region and indicates the abundant channels and creek systems. The Diagonal Path is straight and reflects the era of European explorers and settlers.

And the central display where the paths intersect is the Artesian Bore, highlighting the importance of artesian water to the region.

At the Creek is open from October to March on weekdays from 9.00am to 5.00pm and from April to September the complex is additionally open on Saturdays from 9.00am to noon.

So come to the visitors centre to learn about the land, the culture, industries past and present, education via School of the Air, the Flying Doctor and the history of transportation ranging from Cobb and Co to the Great Northern Railway.

Other attractions in town include the 30m wineglass-shaped water tower, which can be seen from up to 20km away from Julia Creek. Blue feature lighting makes it an attractive sight at night

Take a walking tour of town. Obtain a map from the visitors centre and walk the 38 signposted sites, reading their interesting and colourful history along the way. In the late afternoon, a stroll along the nature trail at the back of the caravan park usually rewards you with the sight and sound of wonderful birdlife. If you’re staying at the caravan park, do a little relaxing in the caravan park’s naturally heated artesian spa.

An interesting collection of memorabilia can be found at the Duncan McIntyre Museum in Burke Street.

And something a bit out of the ordinary is the Proa Redclaw Farm. The 12 ponds use artesian water, some containing up to 16,000 redclaw. Self-drive tours are available. Book at the visitors centre.

During the year, this outback region puts on events that make you realise just how fast and furious outback entertainment can be. It has horse races, rodeos, campdrafts and even a famous triathlon. The Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival, held from April 16 to 18 this year, is the major event for the year. It attracts huge media attention and world famous triathletes. It includes one of Australia’s major tri­athlon events plus the Artesian Express Horse Race which is the richest horse race in the North West (held on April 17). The Dirt and Dust Festival is so good it won the Best Festival/Event Category at the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Other events in the shire include campdrafting, horse races and rodeos. The Julia Creek Campdraft is held on May 14 to 16, McKinlay Races on June 26, Saxby Roundup from July 2 to 4, Julia Creek Races in August and November, Sedan Dip Races on August 21 and the Sedan Dip Campdraft and Rodeo from August 20 to 22.

Julia Creek is located on the Overlander’s Way (Flinders Highway). Julia Creek largely owes its existence to the railway line which was extended from the coast. The first official train arrived in Julia Creek in 1908.

Out-of-town attractions include Sedan Dip, 100km north of Julia Creek (bitumen road). A good waterhole is situated on the left hand side of the bridge when travelling from Julia Creek. Fishing and swimming can be enjoyed at the Dip so take a long line and yabby trap.

Take a trip down to Kynuna, 112km south of Julia Creek. A recommended stop for all tourists is the famous Blue Heeler Hotel, built in 1889 as the Kynuna Hotel. This is the place where Banjo Paterson first performed Waltzing Matilda.

Travel a short distance west to the small township of McKinlay, best known for the Walkabout Creek Hotel which was featured in the movie Crocodile Dundee. McKinlay also has the smallest library in Queensland.