When it comes to attractions in Charleville, the large and small of it is that the universe, the Top Secret and a quaint little creature called the Bilby are the starring acts. Pretty much every visitor who comes here has them numbered one, two and three on their must-see list.
Charleville is justly famed for the star-viewing opportunities at the Cosmos Centre, but it’s not only when the stars come out that people can get an out-of-this-world experience. There’s nearly as much there to fascinate you during the daytime, including a range of mind-blowing films in Queensland’s largest planetarium and even a sun viewing using one of the largest telescopes of its kind! The daytime exhbits are open from 9.00am – 5:00pm in the Summer months and 10.00am – 7.00pm between April and November.
The Top Secret WWII Tag-A-Long takes you back to 1942, when 3,500 American personnel were based in Charleville during WWII. During the tour, you will learn what life was like for the United States Army Air Force personnel stationed in Charleville. Then, enlist and immerse yourself in the interactive displays at the WWII Base.
At theCharleville Bilby Experience, you will learn the heart-warming story of this cute little marsupials return from the edge of extinction due to work first started by the Bilby Brothers and continued by the Save The Bilby Fund.
Of the six bandicoot species that once lived in the arid/semi-arid areas of Australia, bilbies are the only species remaining and even their numbers became dangerously low in the 1990s. The genetically distinct Queensland population is the most vulnerable.
These days bilby numbers, though low in the wild, are being helped along with a captive bilby breeding programme in Charleville. A predator-proof fence at Currawinya National Park works in conjunction with the breeding program for the re-introduction of bilbies into the wild.
The Bilby Experience, located in the Railway Station, next door to the Visitor Information Centre, runs regular tours through the nocturnal house. Come on in and see these adorable creatures, a flagship of endangered species, up and close.
Relax at the Graham Andrews Parklands. Constructed after the 1990 flood, it is an outback oasis with a lake, working windmill, adventure playground, picnic shelters, free barbecues and don’t forget the disc golf. Discs are available from a number of locations around town but if you call into the Visitor Centre, they will be able to help you out. The park has a collection of many species of Australian native trees. Stroll along the Outback Native Timber Walk where plaques identify the trees (grab a mud map from the Visitor Information Centre located at the Railway Station). If you’re there early in the day or near dusk, you’ll probably be treated to bird and wildlife sightings.
Also situated within the parklands are two Vortex Guns, which remain from a 1902 experiment to try to make it rain during a devastating drought. Six rainmaking guns, designed in Italy to break up hail above vineyards, were strategically placed at various locations then charged with gunpowder and fired into the sky where the explosion would change the atmospheric pressure and rain would fall… well that was the theory. It was an epic failure, unfortunately.
Where would we be without the weather to talk about? You can view the automated release of the Bureau of Meteorology’s weather balloon daily at 9.15am, located on the corner between the Cosmos Centre and the airport.
When it comes to things to see and do, you’re spoilt for choice in Charleville. The best place to find out about the smorgasbord of options is the Visitor Information Centre located in the Charleville Railway Station. The friendly staff can even help you design a tour package just for you – specially tailored to suit your interests and needs
History lovers, don’t miss Charleville’s Historic House, which began life as Charleville’s first bank in 1888. Today it is the oldest building in Alfred Street, Charleville’s main street and packed with precious treasures of times gone by.
It’s become home to everything from historic furniture, working engines to gramophones, clothing and tools. The machinery collection includes a Dennis fire engine, rail ambulance, and a 10hp Marshall steam engine used to power about 40 shearers’ stands at a local station from 1909 to 1972. There’s a replica Cobb and Co coach and even a big old cast iron tyring plate (used for assembling wheels) that belonged to Cobb and Co. The Charleville and District Historical Society have been cataloguing old Cobb and Co changing stations in the southwest. The volunteers are passionate about the house and the treasures it holds.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) is one of Australia’s truly iconic organisations. This wonderful service manages to get doctors where they’re needed even when isolation and a lack of infrastructure would seem insurmountable obstacles. The answer, of course, is to fly them in with all the required equipment on board.
As well as being an emergency response organisation, the RFDS principally has an ongoing role in providing health care to people who live in rural and remote areas.
The RFDS Charleville Base is well worth a visit. Located adjacent to the RFDS Base and Hangar on the appropriately named John Flynn Way, and just a short walk through the mulga from the popular Charleville Cosmos Centre and Observatory, this modern facility celebrates the historical links between the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Charleville, home to the longest-serving RFDS base in Queensland.
A self-guided tour takes you on a journey from the humble beginnings of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and its association with the Australian Inland Mission to the present day operations of this vital outback medical service.
The free attraction is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and on weekends and public holidays from 10.00am to 4.30pm (closed on weekends and public holidays from October to March.)
April 3 — Auguathella Diggers Easter Rodeo and Fireworks
April 24 — Saddle Up – QMF
May 15 – 16 — Charleville Show
August 13 — Variety Bush Dinner
September 12 – 13 — Wings on the Warrego
September 13 — National Bilby Day
November 3 — Charleville Cup Races
Charleville Visitor Information Centre
Phone (within Australia) 07 4656 8359
