Famed for its windmills, sculptures, dinosaurs and its proximity to Australia’s ‘Little Grand Canyon’, the Outback Queensland town of Hughenden richly deserves a prominent spot on any grey nomad’s Big Lap itinerary.
Located halfway between Townsville and Mount Isa on the Flinders Highway, ‘Hughie’ – as it is often known – has a population of a little over 1,000, but punches way above its weight in terms of visitor attractions.
Sitting on the banks of the Flinders River, it started life due to the area’s rich cattle and sheep grazing land, and because a barracks for Australian native police was built here in 1870. A pub soon followed, with the post office opening in 1878, a school in 1880, and then the railway station.
Dinosaurs are a huge attraction in Hughenden. PIC: Tourism & Events Queensland
Today the attractive settlement is a popular traveller destination … with prehistoric appeal. It sits on the edge of an ancient inland sea which existed between 95 and 120 million years ago.
Along with Richmond and Winton, Hughenden is one of three towns that constitutes the triangular Dinosaur Trail. There has been no shortage of fossils found in the area but the pièce de resistance remains the bones and teeth of the Muttaburrasaurus – a giant herbivore that would have weighed nearly three tonnes – which were discovered in 1963.
The Coolabah Tree is linked to the search for the Burke & Wills Expedition. PIC: Tourism & Events Queensland
A seven-metre-tall replica of a Muttaburrasaurus skeleton takes pride of place in Hughenden’s Flinders Discovery Centre, which also boasts an impressive fossil collection, and tells the story of the dinosaurs in the region.
The area’s dinosaur heritage is further reflected in the striking sculptures by local artists that appear on streets around the town. These include scrap metal works of art like Darby the Dinosaur, Leanneosaur and the Pterosaurs, and many fish sculptures.
The Federation Windmill Rotunda – built in 2001 to commemorate the Centenary of Federation – is constructed of 20-foot windmills brought in from a nearby property, which were originally built in 1912 to pump water for livestock.
Windmill enthusiasts might also enjoy at trip to Wirilla Station on the outskirts of town to check out the massive 35-foot Comet windmill. It is one of only 15 of the giant windmills ever made and is capable of pumping one million litres of water per day.
Another big favourite with grey nomads is a visit to the Historic Coolabah Tree which is linked to two relief expeditions searching for the Burke and Wills Expedition. Two commemorative plaques have been erected near the tree.
Also worth a look is the Hughenden Recreational Lake, which was built in 2019, and is a great place for a swim, paddle, fish … or a picnic. There’s a walking track around it, too.
A drive up to Mount Walker, about 10 kilometres south of Hughenden is another must. Standing 478m above sea level, it boasts six spectacular lookouts offering 360-degree views over the surrounding landscape.
About 60 kilometres north of town is Porcupine Gorge National Park, home to a spectacular gorge known as Australia’s ‘Little Grand Canyon’. There’s some great camping here, as well as in other national parks in the area.
Back in Hughenden, there’s a donation RV Park on the edge of the showgrounds for self-contained travellers, and the Alan Terry Caravan Park is well regarded by travellers.
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