Quilpie

Quilpie lies on the Bulloo River on the Country of the Mardigan people, about 210 km west of Charleville in south-west Queensland. The town was established when the railway arrived in 1917, and it became a major railhead for cattle and wool from the Channel Country. Today Quilpie is best known as the centre of Queensland's boulder opal fields and as a friendly stop on the way to Windorah, Eromanga and the Channel Country.

Things to do in Quilpie

• St Finbarr's Church opal altar. The Catholic church features an altar, font and lectern made with boulder opal. Visit respectfully, outside service times.
• Baldy Top lookout. A short drive from town, a flat-topped hill with sweeping views over mulga and ironstone country, especially beautiful at sunset.
• Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, museum and gallery. Local history, art exhibitions and information on opal and fossicking.
• Lake Houdraman. A waterhole on the Bulloo River near town, popular for picnics, birdwatching and fishing.
• Opal shops. Buy boulder opal and jewellery from local miners and dealers.
• Artesian water. The town pool is fed by artesian water. See our Great Artesian Basin guide.

Boulder opal

Boulder opal forms in cracks and cavities within ironstone boulders. It is usually cut with its natural ironstone backing, giving it strength and a dark contrast that brings out the colour. Queensland is the world's main source of boulder opal, and the area around Quilpie is at the centre of the fields. Fossicking requires a Queensland fossicking licence and is permitted only in designated areas.

Day trips

• Eromanga. About 100 km west, home to the Eromanga Natural History Museum, which displays fossils of giant sauropod dinosaurs found in the region, including one of Australia's largest. Tours run regularly; booking is recommended.
• Toompine. South of Quilpie, a tiny settlement with a historic outback pub.
• Channel Country. West towards Windorah, the landscape opens up into red sandhills and braided channels.

Getting there

Quilpie is on the sealed Diamantina Developmental Road west of Charleville. From Quilpie, sealed and partly sealed roads continue west to Windorah and Eromanga, and south towards Thargomindah. Some roads close after rain. Check QLDTraffic before travelling.

Where to stay

Quilpie has a caravan park, motel and hotel accommodation.

History in brief

Before the railway, the district was served by Cobb & Co coaches and teamsters. The railway's arrival in 1917 made Quilpie a busy railhead, with stock and wool loaded onto trains for the coast. Opal mining in the region dates back to the late 19th century, with boulder opal fields scattered across the shire.

Suggested two days

Day one. Visit St Finbarr's Church and the visitor centre, browse the opal shops, picnic at Lake Houdraman and watch sunset from Baldy Top.

Day two. Drive to Eromanga for a museum tour, then return or continue west towards Windorah.

When to visit

April to September is best. Summers are hot, and wet-season storms can close roads.

Tips

• Book Eromanga tours ahead in peak season.
• Fill up in Quilpie; fuel stops further west are far apart.
• Watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk.

The road west

West of Quilpie, the country changes from mulga scrub to the open Channel Country. Windorah, on Cooper Creek, is known for its red sandhills and the International Yabby Races. Further west, Birdsville and the Simpson Desert are the end of the line for most travellers. Roads in this region are a mix of sealed and gravel and close after rain. Fill up wherever you can, carry extra water and read our outback safety guide and remote-area travel safety guide.

Events

Quilpie and the surrounding district host race days, rodeos and opal-themed events through the cooler months. Event dates change from year to year, so check the Quilpie Shire Council website before you travel. Local events are a great way to meet people from surrounding stations.

Where to eat

Quilpie has a pub, cafés and a bakery or store with takeaway food. Opening hours can be shorter on weekends and in summer.

Fossicking near Quilpie

Quilpie is the centre of Queensland's boulder opal country, and many visitors want to try their luck. Fossicking in Queensland requires a fossicking licence, available online from the state government, and is only permitted in designated fossicking areas or with the landholder's permission. Ask at the visitor information centre about current public fossicking options near town, what tools are allowed and any safety rules. Wear sturdy boots, a hat and gloves, carry water and never enter old workings.

Eromanga: far from the sea

Eromanga, west of Quilpie, promotes itself as the town furthest from the sea in Australia. Beyond its claim to remoteness, it is home to the Eromanga Natural History Museum, which displays dinosaur fossils found in the area; see our Dinosaur Trail guide for more on Queensland's fossil sites. Eromanga also sits in oil country, with production in the Eromanga Basin. Services are limited; check fuel and accommodation availability before you go.

The Bulloo River

Quilpie sits on the upper Bulloo River, which flows south to Thargomindah and the Bulloo Overflow near the NSW border. Its waterholes, such as Lake Houdraman, are lined with coolibahs and river red gums and attract birds and wildlife. After big rain, the river can flood and close roads around town.

Getting supplies

Quilpie is the last town with a good range of services for travellers heading west to Windorah and Birdsville. Fill up with fuel, water and groceries, check your tyres and spare, and confirm road conditions on QLDTraffic before leaving. See fuel, permits and road conditions.

More to see in Quilpie

Visit Quilpie Shire says the town takes its name from Quilpeta, the traditional owners' name for the bush stone-curlew. The town grew alongside the Western railway from 1917. Highlights include:

• Baldy Top Lookout, about 6.5 km from town. A short 10-minute climb leads to sunset views and small caves.
• St Finbarr's Opal Altar. A local miner covered the church's altar, lectern and font in boulder opal.
• The Quilpie Shire Rail Museum, in the restored 1917 station, which tells how Quilpie became the end of the line.
• The Airport Mini Museum, which tells how aviator Amy Johnson landed at Quilpie in 1930 because of an outdated map.
• The Bulloo River Walk, for birdwatching under shady trees.
• The Quilpeta Night Show, an outdoor film about the town's story, shown at the visitor information centre.

Is Quilpie worth visiting?

Yes, if you're interested in boulder opal, Channel Country landscapes and quiet outback towns. Use it as a base for Eromanga, Toompine and the road west to Windorah and Birdsville. Distances are long, so plan your fuel.

Practical information

• Distance: about 210 km west of Charleville.
• Best time: April to September.
• Related: Charleville, Windorah, Thargomindah, Dinosaur trail, Outback Queensland.