For a meaningful encounter with the environment, take Muttaburra’s heritage trail. There, you’ll find a cemetery which has graves dating back to 1885, the Union Camp where shearers set up a campsite during the great shearers’ strike in 1891 and Union Hole where you can throw in a line.

Other top places to try a little fishing include the Pump Hole - where you might pull in a yellowbelly or black bream - and Broadwater (about 6km from town), which is also used for skiing, birdwatching, bushwalking and has historic significance as a place where the explorer Landsborough stopped to drink. In fact, quite a few self-sufficient visitors camp down at the Broadwater for a day or two. It’s a safe spot where you can soak in the peacefulness of being off the beaten track. There are no amenities, so be prepared for bush camping.

Exchange Hotel Bruford Street, Muttaburra Qld 4732 Phone/Fax (07) 4658 7125 Beer on tap, counter meals available, accommodation, ice, ATM

If you don’t like roughing it, the Exchange Hotel has accommodation available. It’s also a good spot to relax over a drink and a counter meal. While you’re having a drink at the pub, be aware that the polished timber bar top you’re resting your elbow on is the only one of its kind in Australia. The project was an experiment to find a use for the timber from the prickly acacia, a noxious species.

For other things to do, go in search of agates on the Longreach Road, collect a few gidgee stones and tee off at the nine-hole golf course (with sand greens).

Muttaburra Shop and Fuel Bruford Street, Muttaburra Qld 4732 Phone/Fax (07) 4658 7302 Fuel (unleaded and diesel), EFTPOS, groceries, cafe, magazines

Collect your supplies from the newly built Muttaburra Shop and Fuel. You can buy diesel and unleaded fuel, groceries, fruit and vegetables, burgers, sandwiches, hot chips, homemade pizza, coffee and cake. Shop proprietors are Peter (Winky) and Fiona Turnbull, who ran the hotel for 13 years, so definitely drop in to say hi if you’re a return visitor to town.

The local post office has banking facilities and a laundro­mat. There is also a primary health centre in town.
While you’re in Muttaburra, learn about the Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, a reminder that in 1963 a fossilised dinosaur skeleton (the first of its kind) was found in this region.

History of a much more recent era can be found at the Dr Arratta Memorial Museum. Originally the town’s hospital, it combines a hospital display and a general museum section.

Something else special being preserved in Muttaburra is the Cassamatis Store. Originally run as an empor­ium early in the 1900s, it has been restored and is now a museum.

To organise a guided tour of the museums, ask at the library if any volunteer guides are available. The library is open from 9.00am to noon and from 1.00pm to 4.00pm on weekdays and from 9.00am to 11.00am on Saturdays; or ring during those times on (07) 4658 7191.

This year’s events are varied. There is a Nurses’ Reunion with a dinner on Friday, June 4 prior to the Sheep Show (June 5-6). Any nurses, doctors and domestic staff who have worked in Muttaburra are invited! The polocrosse carnival is planned for the long weekend in June, and the races are on August 14. A campdraft is also held during the year.

Visitors staying over at Muttaburra can also use the Muttaburra Commun­ity Development bus, which runs once a fortnight to Longreach. For $10, have a day out, buy supplies or visit one of Longreach’s attractions.

A spa is being built at the aquatic centre, but the pool is closed in winter, so watch this space for next year’s news!