Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sat, 11.30am-3.30pm Sun)
inside the Shire Council building, which treads a path between
contemporary abstract canvases, religious iconography and nature photography.
For local info, swing by the
Hampton Visitor Information Centre
(
07-4697 9066, 1800 009 066;
9am-5pm)
12km south of Crows Nest.
www.crowsnest.info
;
New England Hwy;
Woolshed at Jondaryan
Still fresh from a recent $2 million refurbishment, the huge
Woolshed at Jondaryan
(
07-4692
2229;
www.jondaryanwoolshed.com
; 264 Jondaryan-Evanslea Rd, Jondaryan; adult/child/family $13/8/38;
9am-4.30pm)
showcases the rich pastoral traditions of Queensland.
Built in 1859, it's the state's (and possibly the world's) oldest operating woolshed and of-
fers an engaging time-trip back to simpler (though more strenuous) days on the farm. It's
located 45km northwest of Toowoomba on the Warrego Hwy.
The woolshed played a pivotal role in the history of the Australian Labor Party: it was
here in 1890 that the first of the legendary shearers' strikes began. Today the woolshed is
the centrepiece of a sprawling tourist complex with an interesting collection of rustic old
buildings, antique farm and industrial machinery (including a mighty, steam-driven 'road-
burner' which applied the first tarmac to many of Australia's roads) and weekend black-
smithing and shearing demonstrations.
Try to time your arrival for the daily 11am tour. Shearing in the woolshed, wagon rides,
blacksmithing, sheepdogs working, wool spinning and the like happen thoughout the day.
There are also several rustic accommodation choices here, all organised through the
Woolshed reception, ranging from basic shearers' quarters ($55 per night) to camp sites
($20 to $27) and cabins and cottages ($75 to $135).
Jondaryan hosts a string of annual events, including a nine-day
Australian Heritage Festival
in late August and early September, a
New Year's Eve Bush Dance
and an
Australia Day
celebra-
tion (book your accommodation well in advance).
