The party is well and truly underway in the Queensland town of Winton … with the newly re-built Waltzing Matilda Centre officially back in business.
Thousands of people flooded in to the outback community to witness the re-birth of one of Australia’s most iconic attractions, and they’re still there, enjoying the last day of the four-day Way Out West Fest.
“The Waltzing Matilda Centre is the lifeblood of our region and to welcome it back in such spectacular fashion is a testament to the spirit of our community,” said Winton CEO, Allan Rayment.
So, three years after a devastating fire destroyed the original Waltzing Matilda Centre, a new $23 million centre has now been officially opened … and the town is celebrating in style.
With streets closed to traffic, a huge tent city in town, more than 6,000 visitors, and a huge music and culture festival in full swing, it’s been one of the most colourful periods in Winton’s long and proud history.
Some of the acts at the festival include Jessica Mauboy, The Living End, John Williamson, Sheppard, Busby Marou, Russell Morris, The Black Sorrows, The Pierce Brothers and Americans Kip Moore and Lee Brice.
Legend had it that the song Waltzing Matilda was first performed in public here in Winton and Banjo Paterson, the man who wrote the famous lyrics in 1895, would no doubt have been proud of the way in which the community responded to the setback of a few years ago.
The fire was a major blow for an entire community which, like so many other small rural communities, had been doing it tough. The town had come to increasingly rely on the income generated from the influx of tourists that the centre helped to generate.
Local authorities now desperately hope the new re-built centre will help attract more grey nomads and other tourists back to the town to explore local history and to enjoy local hospitality.
Absolutely excellent… wish we had been there. We’re there last. Year but we have I’ll be back
Winton is on our bucket list during our 3 – 4 month trek to the out region of Queensland. Will be great to compare the new versus the old tourist attraction.
Well done to all in Winton. You deserve a Gold Medal from the Tourist Industry
Heading there for the film festival late June early July. Staying 10days and doing some exploring in the area
Been to Winton three times and will be going again. Visited the Waltzing Matilda Centre before it burnt down, it was a credit to the local tourist information centre and the council for an incredible display. Hope the new centre is as good if not better.