Date: 24-25th May 2021
Travelled: 85 kms from Ilfracombe to Barcaldine
Visited: Barcaldine, Outback Queensland.
Stayed: Homestead Caravan Park, $26, all services.ย S23.55528, E145.28374ย
Budget: 45 days @ $144 per day.
We make an early start this morning. We arrived at this huge rest-stop about 8.30 last night so we couldnโt see much other than a caravan parked further over. This morning in the light of day we can see picnic benches and bins scattered across this huge parking area as well as several other campers parked amongst the surrounding trees.
Ilfracombe looked interesting as we passed through so once we pack up we drive back a couple of kms into town. Pam goes for a walk and I go and inspect the machinery museum that line the highway through town.
Map of Ilfracombe
Many of the most interesting pieces have plaques outlining what they were used for. 
The plaques often included the full ownership history of the piece. 
Lots of interesting old farm machines for half a kilometres or so along the main road kept me busy.
More of the same.. 
Curleyโs Transport depot was back in Normanton, so this trucks a long way from home. 
Finally Barcaldine
Map of Barcaldine, the icon on our overnight stay
Arriving in Barcaldine, we do a quick lap around town before going on to the Homestead Caravan Park in the centre of town. Itโs in a good spot and as we are early we get the pick of spots up in the corner. Once weโve settled which takes only a few minutes after some 6-7 weeks on the road, we have a coffee and relax.
We didnโt know it at this stage but we like it at the Homestead. So we stay here for 2 nights.
Time for our usual exploration of town, the information centre is closed from 12-1.30pm so no map to start. So we start with the main street (Landsborough Hwy) of Barcaldine.
Reading the history of Barcaldineโs Pubs is like reading a bad fire report.
Massive windmill slowly rotating away. It had a very loud rhythmic squeak which made me glad we didnโt live across the road. 
Tree of Knowledge…read the panel below. 
Barcaldine would appear to be an AWU come Labor Party town. The AWU have a museum and heritage centre here and we note the many things around town such as the Tree of Knowledge display and exhibition are all sponsored by various Queensland government departments.
St Peterโs Anglican 
The Catholic Church 
Another lovely little cottage.
Every evening at 5pm (in season) they have live music at the Homestead Caravan Park. An older couple called Ken and Annie run this little country music activity. They cook up damper and boil a billy just to add to the outback feel. We gave the tea a miss, substituting a beer and glass of wine. It was a great hour of fun. The first couple on the ukulele and the guy with the violin were just travellers passing through who joined in.
Corrugated iron on 3 sides with a grandiose timber facade, the lodge.
We find ourselves parked next door to Bob and Pat. They have an Jayco Optimum like ours, but itโs only 6 months old and very flash. Pam now thinks a dishwasher is a must have. Anyway Bob and Pat sold there farm at Gwabegar several years ago and now travel full time doing farm sitting on a regular basis. We chat away about motorhomes and the Pilliga.
Obviously the Court House 
Barcaldineโs Radio Theatre, still shows the odd movie. Bloody telegraph post stopped a half decent photo. 
Did you know all the streets in Barcaldine are named after trees ?
The ANZAC memorial and cenotaph. 
A First World War commemorative plinth in Ash Street.
Late on our second afternoon we ride our bikes a few kilometres across town to the cemetery and do some exploring there to complete our day.
Good bat for an old light horse veteran. 
Note the two full beer cans. 
Unusual we thought. 
Anyway Barcaldine is done, we enjoyed our couple of days here but the roads are calling.
Michael and Pam
One thought on “Barcaldine, Queensland ๐ฆ๐บ 2021”
The Labour Party came about as a result of the Shearerโs Strikes of the early 1890โs. Barcaldine and the Tree of Knowledge are embedded in the history of the Labor/Labour Party