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COMPASS
QHA REVIEW | 56
View from the lookout over the town of
Cloncurry with the Cloncurry River in the
foreground named by Robert Burke of
Burke & Wills fame.
A VISIT TO THE OUTBACK IS THE PERFECT WINTER
ESCAPE AS TEMPERATURES ARE STILL
WARM AVERAGING A TOP OF 25 DEGREES
DURING THE DAY AND 11 DEGREES AT NIGHT.
To uncover all the treasure troves of the area, the
Cloncurry Unearthed Museum and John Flynn
Place offers detailed historical data, memorabilia
and photographs, Indigenous artefacts and one of
Australia’s most comprehensive gem and mineral
collections.
The Cloncurry Heritage walk will take you around the
town and to iconic sites. Located three kilometres
west of Cloncurry is Chinaman Creek Dam which is the
perfect fishing spot while also offering an opportunity
to take in the picturesque beauty of an outback
sunset. The Dam is also a great place for bushwalking,
picnicking or having a barbecue with friends. Or
embark on a 4WDing adventure as there are plenty
of historical adventure trails between Cloncurry and
Mount Isa such as the former Mary Kathleen Uranium
Mine and township.
A visit to the outback is the perfect winter escape
as temperatures are still warm averaging a top of 25
degrees during the day and 11 degrees at night. There
are often exciting events on during winter, and this year
Cloncurry is host to several festivals set to entertain
locals and visitors alike.
Held in July each year is the Ernest Henry Mining
Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge which celebrates the
talent and passion of horsemen and is regarded as one
of the greatest horse events in Australia.
Competitors from all states attend the Challenge which
originated in Cloncurry in 1983 and involves ‘wet’
and ‘dry’ work that includes competitors and horses
completing patterns including manoeuvres such as
flying changes, rollbacks, spins and stops.
August also offers a fun filled adventure for the
family with the Curry Merry Muster Festival which is
a four-day festival of rodeo and bull riding action.
Incorporating activities for the whole family, the festival
will include bush poetry and live entertainment.
Offering a watering hole all year round is the Leichhardt
Hotel which is a family-run outback hotel and a much
loved pub for 50 years.