Known as the ‘Friendly Heart of the Great North West’, Cloncurry sits on the junction of the Landsborough Highway (Matilda Way) and Flinders/Barkly Highway (Overlander’s Way), nestled on the banks of the Cloncurry River.
The centre can provide tourist information, fossickers’ licences, maps, souvenirs and light refreshments. One of the museum’s star exhibits is Robert O’Hara Burke’s water bottle, seen in the Explorers’ Section and dating back to 1861 when he passed through on the ill-fated Burke and Wills trip to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Another section shows Aboriginal memorabilia. Browse around the rock and mineral display, considered to be one of the most comprehensive collections in Australia. Another display features Mary Kathleen, the former uranium mine in the district. Outside, see the restored old rail ambulance, traction engine, farm machinery and mining equipment.
Mineral Wealth
In 1861, Burke and Wills were the first Europeans to set foot on this land. A scant six years later, Ernest Henry discovered copper and became the founder of the town and the area’s vast mineral wealth. The town was surveyed in 1876 and was called Cloncurry after the Cloncurry River, which Burke had named. Grazing brought Ernest Henry to the area but it was his mineral discovery that kept him here. Even today the rural town derives its main income from the mining and pastoral industries.
The old Chinese Cemetery is a reminder of the many Chinese who worked here during the early gold mining years while the Afghan Cemetery, in a corner of the Cloncurry Cemetery, holds the graves of many camel train drivers.
John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery commemorates the inspiring work of John Flynn and the early years of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The museum also celebrates the contributions of Fred McKay, Alfred Traeger and Allan Vickers.
The Cloncurry Community Precinct incorporates the Art Deco era Shire Hall with a modern art gallery, library, community open space area and function centre. Go in and look at the interactive Cloncurry Historical Society section of the library, view the latest art exhibition and sit in the open space to simply enjoy the atmosphere.
For bushwalking or other recreational fun, head out to Chinaman Creek Dam just 3km from town at the base of Mt Leviathan. Picnic tables are provided and the dam has a concrete ramp for those who want to do some boating, This is a good spot to watch the sunset.
Cloncurry offers a range of attractions. Here’s a list to get you started!
Cloncurry Unearthed Visitor Information Centre & Muesum
Phone (within Australia) 07 4742 1361
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