MITCHELL is an oasis which is considered the eastern gateway to Outback Queensland. It has many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, so make sure it’s on your list of places to stay.

Relax and let the world go by at the Great Artesian Spa complex, Mitchell’s major tourist attraction. Some people call it a fountain of youth. One thing is certain – an hour spent soaking in the mineralised artesian water will be one of the most relaxing hours of your holiday.

The Great Artesian Spa is situated in the town’s aquatic centre. The shape of the spa is reminiscent of a billa­bong, and the landscaped surroundings feature native Australian flora.

There are two pools of artesian ­water, one which is naturally heated. The other is designed for those who prefer a cooler experience. Both spa pools have been designed with disabled access in mind and facilities include a chairlift to allow easy access for physically disabled people.

The water used in the spa pools is renewed regularly and comes from the Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest artesian basins in the world and underlying about one-fifth of Australia. It covers a total area of more than 1,711,000 square kilometres. Some artesian water is believed to be about two million years old. The Mitchell bore brings water to the surface from more than 1km under the ground.

The Great Artesian Spa and Visitor Information Centre is open seven days a week from 8.00am to 6.00pm. The spa complex also includes the Healthy Byte Internet Cafe which offers healthy light meals served by friendly locals. The cafe also provides internet access for those wanting to surf the net or simply keep in touch with family and friends. The Healthy Byte is open to 5.00pm seven days.

The complex also features a gym which is run as a community service.

The Major Mitchell Caravan Park is widely known throughout the Australian caravan and camping fratern­ity. The park is situated on the banks of the Maranoa River on the eastern entry to Mitchell.

The park has 16 en suites with electricity, additional powered sites, hot showers and toilet facilities as well as a greywater outlet for travelling caravans or motor homes. Barbecue facilities are also situated within the park and are available for use by guests as well as the community. A feature of the Major Mitchell Caravan Park is the “fire pit”, where many stories, experiences and recipes are exchanged between fellow campers.

The Hotel Mitchell offers accommodation in a wing that is separate from the hotel, so it has the benefit of being quiet and having easy access to the rooms, which include air-conditioned family and single rooms. The hotel is only a block from the spa and also offers lunch and dinner six nights a week.

Stock up on all your supermarket needs at Dobbin’s FoodWorks, which offers a wider range than ever before.

And for everything from fuel to ice to bait when you’re going fishing, stop at Tower Service Station and Roadhouse.

Visit the Maranoa Art Gallery and Library, which is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm weekdays and 9.00am to noon Saturdays. The art gallery has local and visiting exhibitions. In the library section of the complex, see the Frank Forde Room, dedicated to Australia’s shortest serving Prime Minister (and one of Mitchell’s most famous men) and featuring many historic photographs. The gallery was orig­inally a picture theatre, and the old projection room has been restored so people can wander through and learn some of the local stories.

For a look at art in the open air, view the aerosol murals painted on the bridge pylons by local residents and community groups. This unique art gallery is located under the Warrego Highway.

The Maranoa River Walk is a must if you’re interested in seeing local birdlife, flora and fauna. The trail is an initiative of the Mitchell community to restore the riverbank environment between Fisherman’s Rest and the Neil Turner Weir. Throughout the different seasons, bush tucker can be located along the trail.

Half an hour’s drive from Mitchell is the historic property, Bonus Downs. Built in 1911 by one of the nation’s most famous early landholders, Sir Samuel McCaughey, it is now one of the oldest established properties of the Maranoa. It also boasts one of the largest shearing sheds in the area. Make a booking for a morning tea tour, which is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays (other days by appointment). A special part of this property is Ooline Park, an area of ooline trees which has its origins as a rainforest species. It is a lovely place to bushwalk and observe wildlife ranging from birds and goannas to kangaroos and emus.

A little over 50km from Mitchell is Claravale, a 13000ha property which retains thousands of acres of pristine wilderness. See nature - and ecotourism - at its best by taking a tour with owners Gill and Eunice Campbell.

Wildlife refuges and corridors, spectacular sandstone formations, panoramic views, wildlife and bird viewing combine to make this an absolutely magical experience.

For more wilderness magic, visit Mount Moffatt. Camping is allowed in selected areas to give you time to view the great wonders nature has provided here. Mount Moffatt is part of the Carnarvon National Park and is 200km north of Mitchell. High clearance or 4WD vehicles are recommended for the journey, as the top sections of the road can be rough. No fuel is available, so you must carry enough for the return journey and the 90km of park roads that can be traversed. The infamous bushrangers, the Kenniff Brothers, once roamed this area. (You can learn their story at the Kenniff Courthouse in Mitchell. The courthouse is open weekdays.)

Maraona - the unique getaway experience

MAKE sure you visit some of the other attractions of the Maranoa region, which encompasses Mitchell, Roma, Injune, Surat and Muckadilla. Roma, the administrative centre of the Roma Regional Council, is famous for its Big Rig. This is a $7 million memorial to the pioneers of the oil and gas industry. Take the self-guided Oil Patch walk (open from 9.00am to 4.00pm daily) and see the Night Show, a 30-minute theatrical spectacle (you can buy a combination ticket for these two attractions). While in Roma, take half a dozen different walks, see the Avenue of Heroes and ride the Roma Express.

Injune, which is the closest town to Carnarvon National Park, is a friendly place to visit. Make sure you drop in to the visitor information centre, which showcases cypress pine from the district as well as providing self-drive tour routes and information on other attractions. Then it’s on to one of Queensland’s favourite national parks to see the Carnarvon Gorge.

At Surat, visit the Cobb and Co Changing Station complex which incorporates a museum, library, gallery and an aquarium that simulates the environment of a local riverbed.