Chinchilla is located approximately 300 kilometres north-west of Brisbane along the Warrego Highway. The town was established in 1878, and while a number of industries prosper in the area, Chinchilla is perhaps most famous for its melon production, supplying 25% of Australia’s melons. There’s plenty to see and do, including sporting matches, tours, trivia nights, the big melon weigh-in, a pip spitting competition, cooking shows, melon dash, melon skiing, melon bullseye, melon eating competition, melon smashing (where only the head can be used) and much, much more.
Those visiting Chinchilla can find short and long-term parking at Chinchilla Weir, donations are payable to the Visitor Information Centre. A dump point is located at Wondai Road.
A number of other delightful and diverse experiences await you in Chinchilla. Nature lovers will enjoy the amazing variety of bird life and unusual flora, and history buffs will find hours of enjoyment discovering the historic landmarks on the various tourist drives available. The Barakula Forest Drive is one such tour, and along the way you will find numerous flora and fauna species (including over 60 wattle species), a mysterious grave, the old stockyards, and peaceful lagoons. Chinchilla is also recognised as one of the largest areas of petrified wood in the world, and fossickers can search for these ancient specimens on several properties in the area. Visit White Gums Gallery, or the Chinchilla Historical Museum with its comprehensive display of farming machinery, the first tickets issued by Qantas, and fashions of yesteryear. Chinchilla is also a stop on The Leichhardt Trail, which explores sites relevant to the life of botanist Friedrich Leichhardt, who disappeared in 1848.
Tourist/Visitor Centre
Chinchilla VIC, Warrego Hwy, Chinchilla QLD
Ph: 07 4679 4491
chinchilla.vic@wdrc.qld.gov.au
www.westerndownsqueensland.com.au
Casual Parking
Railway Street (railway side) or in Bell Street (northern side) near Helena Street
Short Term Parking and Long-Term Parking
Chinchilla Weir, donations to VIC. Toilets, Picnic Shelters, Fire Pits, Powered and & Non Powered sites. No Bookings first in best dress.
Dump Point
Wondai Rd
Potable Water
Chinchilla Vistor Centre, VIC. no cost- key required.
Hospital
Slessar St, Ph: 07 4662 8888
Doctors Surgery
58 Middle St, Ph: 07 4662 7188
Dentist
50 Middle St, Ph: 07 4662 8311
Pharmacy
Chinchilla Pharmacy, 58 Middle St, Ph: 07 4662 7162; Grath’s Amcal Pharmacy, 32 Middle St, Ph: 07 4662 8588
Supermarket
IGA, Heeney St, Ph: 07 4662 7553; Super IGA, Middle St, Ph: 07 4668 9820; Woolworths, crn Bell St & First Ave, Ph: 1300 767 969; Foodworks, crn Glasson St & Windmill Rd, Ph: 1800 356 395