Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

OUTBACK QUEENSLAND 365
(US$9.75) adult or A$40 (US$26) family. For A$22 (US$14) adult or A$50
(US$33) family, it also covers entry to the Lark Quarry dinosaur tracks.
OTHER TOP ATTRACTIONS
Waltzing Matilda Centre Dedicated to Australia’s most famous song, written
by the Banjo Paterson in 1898 at Dagworth Station, near Winton, the center
uses modern technology and interactive displays to celebrate the writer’s life
and times and the role his song has played in Australia’s psyche. There’s also an
art gallery, local history museum, restaurant, and gift shop.
50 Elderslie St., Winton. & 07/4657 1466. Fax 07/4567 1886. www.matildacentre.com.au. A$14 (US$9.10)
adults, A$12 (US$7.80) seniors and children, A$30 (US$20) family. Daily 8.30am–5pm (until 4pm Dec–Feb);
Good Friday 10am–4pm. Closed Christmas.
Combo Waterhole Conservation Park (& 07/4652 7333), believed to be
the inspiration for Waltzing Matilda, is a short drive off the Matilda Highway,
about 150km (94 miles) north of Winton. It is then a 40-minute walk from the
parking lot to the waterhole.
WHERE TO STAY
Boulder Opal Motor Inn This is Winton’s newest motel, a family-owned
business which opened in 2000. All rooms have a queen size and a single bed,
and two rooms are specially designed for people with disabilities. The licensed
restaurant, Matrix, has an Outback theme, but that doesn’t extend to the cuisine,
which is more Mediterranean-inspired. It is open daily for breakfast and
Monday to Saturday for dinner. The reception area has a great display of handcrafted
opal jewelry (the owners are also active in local opal mining). The motel
is only 500m (1,600 ft.) from the Waltzing Matilda Centre.
16 Elderslie St., Winton. & 07/4657 1211. Fax 07/4657 1331. www.jasons.com.au. 26 units (with shower
only). A$75 (US$49) single; A$86 (US$56) double; A$135 (US$88) 2-bedroom unit. AE, DC, MC, V. Free undercover
parking. Free airport shuttle. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; outdoor pool; tour desk; limited room service;
coin-op laundry. In room: A/C, TV, minifridge, coffeemaker.
MT. ISA
893km (558 miles)W of Townsville; 633km (395 miles) NW of Longreach
Mt. Isa is Queensland’s largest provincial city west of the Great Dividing Range.
The town was built around mining, and the population of 22,000 reflects that
in the 50 different nationalities represented. The huge Mt. Isa Mine dominates
the town. It is the world’s largest single producer of copper, silver, lead, and zinc.
A social highlight of the year is the annual Mt. Isa Rodeo (& 1800 763 361 in
Australia or 07/4743 2706; www.isarodeo.com.au), held every August. It’s the
biggest rodeo in the southern hemisphere.
GETTING THERE By Car Mt. Isa is 893km (558 miles) west of Townsville
on the Flinders Highway. From Longreach, take the Landsborough Highway
northwest through Winton and on to Cloncurry. Mt. Isa is about 120km (75
miles) west of Cloncurry on the Barkly Highway. The total trip from Longreach
is 633km (395 miles). Motorists should check all road conditions with local
authorities before setting out.
By Train Queensland Rail Traveltrain (& 13 22 32) operates the Inlander
train from Townsville to Mt. Isa every Sunday and Wednesday, returning on
Monday and Friday. The 977km (610-mile) journey takes 22 hours and costs
A$110 (US$72) per adult for a seat or A$158 to A$237 (US$103–US$154) for
a sleeper.