WINDORAH is part of a unique landscape, surrounded as it is by scenic countryside, picturesque ruins and spectacular red sandhills.

It is fascinating country, and the red sandhills are a “must” for all visitors to see. They are situated about 10 minutes’ drive west of town on the road to Birdsville. People will notice that the road bisects two kinds of country – the red sand­hills to the north and flood channel country on the southern side.

Cooper Creek, immortalised in poetry by Banjo Paterson and part of the inland lifeblood of Australia, is one of the great natural attractions of Windorah. The town lies alongside the creek, which was named way back in 1845 by Charles Sturt to honour the first Chief Justice of South Australia, Charles Cooper.

There are also ruins, mostly old pub sites, situated within about 90km of town. The JC ruins (they used to be part of the township of Canterbury) are situated about 80km west of Windorah. If you’re a history buff, you may enjoy wandering around the cemetery and the ruins.

In a good season, the wildflowers are a lovely sight. And make sure you take the 12km-long nature drive around the town, where you will see many kinds of native trees in totally natural surroundings.

Drought conditions meant that new trees have had to be planted where some have died. Watering has been undertaken via water drums on the back of a vehicle to keep them alive. The plants have plaques showing their common names. The route starts just outside town and winds its way down to the Cooper Creek Bridge. Pick up a pamphlet at the Windorah Visitor Information Centre in Maryborough Street. This will give you the botanical names of the plants, plus a list of birds you may see.

You can find information on the Windorah Development Board website at www.windorah.net. The centre is part of a complex that takes in the library and has internet access. The local museum is on the same property, so while you’re there, take the time to look over the slab hut museum and the old Cooper Queen, a steel hull boat once used to row supplies across the water to the town. The slab hut is the last of its kind built in the area and dates back to 1906 when it was built on Whitula Creek, 40km west of town, and used by the Rabbit Board.

Just out of town, right next to the powerhouse, is the site where Windorah will have a solar farm - five sun-reflecting mirror dishes which should provide daytime electricity to the town from 2008.

Western Star Hotel Motel Windorah, Qld 4481 Phone (07) 4656 3166 Fax (07) 4656 3103 Beer on tap, home-cooked meals, air-conditioned motel units, tourist information Email: westernstarhotel@bigpond.com Website: www.westernstarhotel.com.au

For a meal, beer on tap or somewhere to stay the night, choose the Western Star Hotel. Accommodation is offered in four motel units in sandstone brick, featuring reverse cycle air conditioning, TV, phone and undercover parking. There are also six air-conditioned hotel rooms available.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Sandhill Grill which is open from 7.00am to 8.00pm seven days during the main tourist season. Saturday night is usually a barbecue only but on other nights the normal menu is offered. People who like to eat al fresco gravitate to the pleasant verandah setting for a meal. The hotel is a weatherboard structure which has been renovated to return it to an authentic look. To reflect the natural colours of the area, the exterior paint colours are sandhill red and contrasting green-grey.

Windorah Outback Shopl Albert Street, Windorah, Qld 4481 Phone/Fax (07) 4656 3145 Fuel and oils, groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, takeaway, fishing gear, pharmacy lines, books and magazines

A good place to stock up on all sorts of goods is the Windorah Outback Shop, open from 8.00am to 6.00pm seven days a week during the main tourist season. It is an EFTPOS outlet, and has everything from general store lines to hot cafe food. You can buy frozen meat and fish, fresh fruit and vegetables for making your own meals or maybe you prefer the easier option of takeaway food. The store sells diesel and unleaded fuel, toiletries and pharmacy lines, crafts, CDs, cassettes, films, souvenirs, books, magazines, papers, party and block ice as well as fishing gear and bait.

Cooper Cabins Cnr Edward and Virtue StreetsWindorah, Qld 4481 Phone (07) 4656 3101 Fax (07) 4656 3090 Fully self-contained cabins with en suite, air conditioning, kitchen; kiosk open seven days; dining room open seven days

Cooper Cabins offer seven self-contained cabins in town. Some people stay overnight. Avid birdwatchers or fishing enthusiasts will often settle in for a week!

There’s a little barbecue area so you can sit and watch the sun set as you’re turning the snags for dinner. Otherwise, each cabin has a verandah which is just perfect to laze away the final hour of daylight.

The complex has a kiosk which carries milk, bread and basic supplies. It’s also licensed, so you can buy a bottle of wine or a few beers. There is also a laundry for guests.

You don’t have to be a guest of Cooper Cabins to patronise their bar and dining room, open seven days a week. Enjoy a few drinks and home-cooked dinner.

If you’re towing a van or have brought your tent, book in to the council caravan park at the western end of Albert Street. Powered sites are available. The park incorporates public amenities, coin-operated laundry and fly-proof dining area.

Other businesses include a post office which has an online machine for banking and a service station which has fuels, Portagas, aviation gas and turbine fuel.

While you’re in town, try out the nine-hole golf course with its sand greens. And if you’re keen on the outdoors, camping is allowed at the creek. Do some fishing!

Travelling on to Jundah, you will find that this year the road is bitumen all the way.