{"id":447,"date":"2018-11-09T23:30:28","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T13:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelactionmatildacountry.com.au\/?post_type=destination&p=447"},"modified":"2024-04-17T12:20:54","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T02:20:54","slug":"eulo","status":"publish","type":"destination","link":"https:\/\/travelactionmatildacountry.com.au\/destination\/eulo\/","title":{"rendered":"Eulo"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Once a droving stopover on the east-west stock route, Eulo is still a popular stopping spot for visitors. There are more than 20 businesses ranging from stock-work contractors to arts and crafts in this little town . \u2026 not bad for a population of about 40 people!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Famous Flood Truck<\/h3>\n

You can check out the famous Eulo flood truck. The flood truck is an old Dodge that has been raised in order to be able to drive through flood waters, carrying people and goods through to the other side. Under the careful guidance Brian Luetchford, the truck could take on the 1.2 metres of Paroo floodwater safely. Using the swirls made by water rushing by the tops of the guideposts and the bumps of the stone pitching on the road edges below, Brian made countless journeys from one side of the Paroo to the other. Whether it was food, patients for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Clinic, mail, whole shearing teams or just those desperate to get to the pub, the truck performed an invaluable service to the people of the southwest – and it never once stopped in the middle! It was a great experience to ride on the flood truck, climbing up the ladder to the back, dodging the holes in the floor, and if you were quick, you might get a spot to sit on the old bus seat and take in the view of the mighty Paroo in flood! The truck was originally donated by local grazier Tim Ecroyd, with the Bulloo Shire carrying out the modifications necessary for crossing the river at Eulo when in flood. It has been about five years since the flood truck was decommissioned and replaced by a new truck, but the old truck\u2019s service to the community won\u2019t be forgotten <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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WWII Air Raid Shelter<\/h3>

Feel free also to have a wander around the air raid shelter on the southern side of the store. It was built in WWII by then store proprietor, Hilton Newsham to protect Eulo residents in the event of an attack by the Japanese. It was a government project and Eulo was chosen as a site for the safety shelter as it was on the direct flight path from Darwin to Melbourne and was a communication link used to wire information between the two locations. The design of the shelter is known as an Anderson Air Raid Shelter. Consisting of heavy-gauge corrugated steel curved over a trench, it was originally covered in sandbags and had grass growing around it to appear as a dog kennel. Inside, 50 people could take refuge standing up.<\/p>

There is also the old meat house in front of the air raid shelter which was moved to its current location to make way for the new store after fire destroyed the old store in 2011. The floor of the meat house is made of old slabs of slate that were part of the pool table in the original Eulo Queen Hotel many years ago. The corners of the slabs are rounded out as this is where the pockets were in the pool table.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Eulo Telegraph House Gallery<\/h3>

Just a couple of doors up is the Eulo Telegraph House Gallery, which is open seven days in the busy season and is home to the Eulo Queen Opal Centre. The gallery features a collection of local art including traditional Aboriginal paintings and the amazing art of Melanie Hava, whose Aboriginal-Austrian background provides inspiration from two very different and contrasting cultures. While her works portray the stories of her Indigenous heritage, it is not unusual to find gold leaf or the occasional crystal woven into these stories. Melanie\u2019s works are for sale at the Eulo Queen Opal Centre.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Eulo Queen Opal Centre<\/h3>

Back in the days when hotel owner Isobel Robinson was known as the Eulo Queen, opals were the lifeblood of the town. More than a century later, they are again an integral industry in the town. The Eulo Queen Opal Centre has finished stones, jewellery and uncut opals. In the yard, rough opals, nuts and boulder opal specimens are displayed. Opal is sourced from Yowah, Koroit and Quilpie. Also browse among the gift lines, Himalayan salt lamps, Paroo honey, crafts and the exceptional locally made Paroo Products including revitalising cream, lip balm, ointment and furniture polish. Busy Paroo bees produce the flavoursome honey from local native Yapunyah tree blossom and innovative locals do the rest. Store proprietor Gary Berghofer says the all-natural creams are absolutely amazing for skin problems.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Heritage Walking Trail<\/h3>

While in town, stroll along the heritage walking trail which takes in the cemetery, the old horse race track, old buildings, native trees and the Chinaman\u2019s Garden.<\/p>

A great photo opportunity is the megafauna statue of a diprotodon<\/strong> which is now part of the street landscape \u2026 a reminder of a giant wombat-like creature that once walked the Earth!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Nearby is the old jailhouse, moved from the police station to a new home near the Lizard Lounge and old lizard track. The cells were donated by the police to the Eulo Development Association. After much huffing and puffing, they were moved – the steel inserts made them a lot heavier than they looked! A modern touch has been added so that solar lighting activates when you enter.<\/p>

And what\u2019s the story with the old lizard on the windmill tower? Well, he\u2019s pretty old and doddery these days but he harks back to the time when Eulo used to host lizard races!<\/p>

Birdwatchers love the Eulo district and come looking for Bourke\u2019s parrot and the rare Hall\u2019s babbler among the abundant birdlife. A few clicks from Eulo, the Paddabilla Bore is world renowned for birdwatching. A nature drive known as the Billabong Nature Drive features an abundant bird habitat too.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Artesian Mud Springs<\/h3>

The Artesian Mud Springs at Eulo are a unique site to behold. .The mud springs are a release valve for the pressure from the Artesian Basin, with the springs going through cycles of active and dormant periods. These cycles can last up to hundreds of years. Mounds of mud, 40 millions of years old, build up during the active phases, and then sink back down when dormant. Access to the springs is by foot only. Display signs provide information on the springs, as well on the flora and fauna in the area.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>