McKinlay was discovered by the famed explorer John McKinlay during his great 1862 transcontinental droving feat when he travelled from Adelaide to the Gulf of Carpentaria looking for missing explorers Burke and Wills. He named many mountains and rivers as he travelled this way with his party of horses, cattle, camels and sheep. He named McKinlay River, and the small town that was established nearby took its name. John McKinlay is still remembered 150-plus years later and visitors can tap into that early history by visiting the John McKinlay statue across from Centenary Park. The storyboards at the park share some historical information of interest.
Wander around the cemetery’s old gravestones. See the old schoolhouse where craft activities are held on the third Thursday of every month – everyone is welcome. While there take a photo of the metal tree outside—the art represents the four roads from McKinlay. A playground is nearby, if you have children who need to burn off excess energy.
While in McKinlay you can pop into Queenslands smallest library and visitor information centre. While the building may be tiny, there is still a great selection of books and information available for visitors.
You can’t miss the Walkabout Creek Hotel when you drive into town. Just look for the Never Never Safari truck that was in the movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’, the second highest grossing film in the United States in 1986.
The film was set in the Australian outback and in New York. And it has to be said, even with multiple viewings over the years, the Aussie part has never lost its appeal for Croc Dundee fans and perhaps that’s because there was more than just a touch of authenticity about it. At least, the Walkabout Creek Hotel was a real hotel in the real Australian outback (even though the movie’s surrounding countryside was actually Kakadu National Park). It was just not in the Northern Territory (a bit of writer’s licence crept in there!), but in the tiny township of McKinlay, Queensland. And the rest, as they say, is history.
At the Creek Visitor Information Centre
Phone (within Australia) 07 4746 7690
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We are passionate about promoting the stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture of Outback Queensland. Our website is designed to provide you with all the essential information, insider tips, and exciting experiences to make your journey an unforgettable adventure.
