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PIONEER PARK MUSEUM
Dalby is a town rich in history and if you want to
learn more about it, then a visit to Pioneer Park Museum is certainly
worth your while. To get there, take the Warrego Highway westwards from
Dalby and turn left at Black Street.
Pioneer Park contains possibly the largest collection of working tractors
and agricultural machinery in Queensland. Among the displays are late
1800s model working threshers, a 1930s model reaper and binder and a
pre-war hay baler. Other attractions include early hand and power driven
cornshellers, oil and petrol engines, household and fashion items and an
extensive rock, mineral and fossil collection.
Pioneer Park holds an annual Field Day on the fourth weekend of May, as
well as a Thresher and Header Show every November, which attract visitors
from all over Australia.
The Family History Association, based at the museum, is a great starting
point for local research. Open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the
Family History collection contains a comprehensive range of research
materials such as old newspapers and documents. Dalby Spinners and Weavers
are also based at the museum.
The Pioneer Park Museum houses a craft store and is open daily from
8.30am.
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THOMAS JACK PARK
Thomas Jack Park, named in honour of one of the town’s most famous
citizens, and former Mayor, and is situated in the centre of the town.
This showpiece of which locals are proud, has an area of 3.5 hectares of
tranquil gardens, native trees, gardens, green lawns and a fabulous water
feature that offers a haven of cool tranquillity, away from the heat of
the noon day sun.
The park was established with the support of the Dalby Rotary Club in 1962
from a small play area, with children’s swings, slides and see saws. The
ensuing years have seen the park grow to cover almost an entire block to
become one of the most attractive urban park settings in Australia.
Visitors are always welcome in Dalby, and are invited to stay awhile and
relax and while visiting the Thomas Jack Park, a visit to the Tourist
Information Centre is recommended where the staff will help to make your
stay worthwhile.
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REGIONAL GALLERY
Since its opening on 15 March, 1991 the Dalby Regional Gallery has been
acclaimed locally and by art institutions all over Australia. Now housing
a fine collection of contemporary Australian art, this art space has
proved a desirable and necessary addition to Dalby. The Gallery displays a
wide variety of travelling exhibitions as well as exhibitions with works
from local artists.
Voluntary workers are the mainstay of the gallery. They are involved in
negotiating with exhibitors, programming, manning, receiving, unpacking,
hanging, advertising and fundraising.
Located in the Cultural and Administration Centre the Gallery is open from
Tuesday to Friday between 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and on Saturdays and
Sundays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Entry to the gallery is free.
Telephone 4660 6111.
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CACTOBLASTIS MEMORIAL CAIRN
A cairn was erected in Marble Street in 1965 to record the indebtedness of
the people of Queensland (and Dalby in particular) to the Cactoblastis
Cactorum. This tiny moth saved the Darling Downs from infestation by an
introduced plant, the Prickly Pear.
A single, yellow flowering prickly pear was brought to Australia in 1839.
By 1925 over 50 million acres of land in Queensland and New South Wales
were covered with prickly pear, the greatest example known to man of any
noxious plant invasion. The Dalby District was then heavily infested. It
was impossible to effectively eradicate the weed either by sprays or
cultivation. The land was rendered unusable and drove many from their
farms.
The first eggs of the Cactoblastis Cactorum moth were imported from
Argentina early in 1925 and were bred in very large numbers and liberated
throughout the prickly pear territory. Within 10 years the insect had
destroyed all the dense mass of prickly pear.
The cairn is located on Myall Creek as a lasting monument to the
Cactoblastis Cactorum and its victory over the prickly pear menace.
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LAKE BROADWATER
Lake Broadwater a declared conservation park is home to a diversity of
vegetation and animal life. It is the only naturally occurring body of
water on the Darling Downs and is an attraction for windsurfers,
day-trippers, campers, bush walkers and bird watchers.
Located 30 km south west of Dalby on the Moonie Highway, the lake covers
some 350 hectares and is a valuable breeding ground for waterfowl. The
park itself has picnicking, boating and camping facilities, with a bush
campground located 2 km north of the lake.
The lake foreshore has a recreation area with toilets, cold showers, boat
ramp, fireplaces and campground. Boating and skiing is permitted, however,
boating permits need to be obtained.
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JIMBOUR
Jimbour is both a tiny town 238 km northwest of
Brisbane, Australia and also the location of one of Australia's most
gracious historical homes - Jimbour .
In its early days Jimbour was one of the great properties of the Darling
Downs, stretching from the Bunya Mountains to the Condamine River and from
the present site of Dalby to Jandowae.
As the Northern outpost of European settlement, Jimbour also holds a
special place in Queensland and Australian history. It was the property
from which Ludwig Leichhardt commenced his famous trek across western
Queensland to eventually arrive at Port Essington in the Northern
Territory.
Leichhardt's subsequent reports on the splendid pastoral areas traversed
by him on his 3,000 mile journey resulted in many squatters from the
Darling Downs, New South Wales and Victoria following in his tracks and
occupying stations in Central and Northern Queensland.
Jimbour Station came into existence in 1841 when Englishman, Henry Dennis,
settled in the area and took up the Jimbour run for Richard Scougall.
However, in about 1844, Commissioner Rolleston ordered a fresh
apportionment of Jimbour, cutting Cumkillenbah and Cooranga from the
property, and bringing the area down to about 211,000 acres. He reported
to the Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales on 25th May, 1844, that
Thomas Bell's holding covered 22 miles by 15 miles (roundly 211,200 acres)
with 12,000 sheep. His later report of May, 1845, spells the name Jimbour.
In 1844 Thomas Bell, an Irishman, purchased the property including all the
sheep and cattle, for £3 000. At that time the property was registered as
'Gimba' or 'Jimba'- said to be the local Aboriginal word for 'good
pastures'. Eventually the spelling evolved into Jimbour.
Jimbour remained the property of the Bell Family until 1881. During this
period two homesteads were built, both of which survive to this day ( one
in part only)
In 1881, ownership of the homestead area was separated from the station,
the latter passing to the Darling Downs and Western Land Company Ltd.
Neither the homestead area nor the surrounding station prospered.
After the decline of the Bell family fortunes, Jimbour fell into disrepair
until it was purchased, and extensively renovated, by Wilfred Adams
Russell and his wife, Millicent, in 1923.
The Russell Family, through the Russell Pastoral Company, have continued
to maintain and improve the property since that time.
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JONDARYAN WOOLSHED
The centrepiece of Jondaryan Woolshed Historical
Museum and Park which was established in 1975 to present the history of
Jondaryan Station and its role in the development of pastoralism on the
Darling Downs.
Located in the heart of the Darling Downs, Jondaryan Woolshed is of great
historical interest. Easily accessible on a day trip from all parts of
south-east Queensland, Jondaryan Woolshed is of particular interest to
people fascinated by our rural heritage. (Popup the essential information
at a glance.)
The attraction features historic buildings, machinery, equipment and
collections which have been obtained and restored over the past 25 years.
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RIMFIRE WINERY
Queensland's favourite boutique winery
Rimfire offers a wide range of quality wines grown in Rimfire's own
vineyard and produced on site in the Rimfire winery. The range includes
soft light fruity styles through to full dry reds and whites.Rimfire also
produces a selection of fortified and dessert style wines. We are
confident you will find a Rimfire wine to suit your lifestyle.
At Rimfire, quality wines are complimented by our al fresco Black Bull
Cafe, located amongst the wide country gardens and views of the vineyards
& valley.Both the Cellar Door and Cafe are Open 7 days 10am - 5pm Rimfire
also offers Wine Club Membership - details of which can be found in our
NEWS section.
To find Rimfire from Brisbane via Toowoomba travel the Warrego Hwy through
Oakey to the town of Jondaryan. Turn Right over the railway lines and
follow the signs to Rimfire Winery - look out for signs directing you to
the towns of Quinalow or Maclagan. Rimfire in located at Maclagan.
From the northern side of Brisbane travel west through the towns of
Kilcoy, Yarraman and on to Cooyar. Follow the New England Hwy out of
Cooyar following the signs to Toowoomba. Look out for the Rimfire Winery
signs directing you to turn right off the highway. The road is well sign
posted through to Rimfire and the town of Maclagan.
Travelling from the West via the town of Dalby follow the Warrego Hwy back
through to Jondaryan (enroute to Toowoomba) and follow the directions as
per above from Jondaryan -( you will turn left over the railway lines from
the Hwy.) Alternative directions can be sought from the Tourist
Information Centre in Dalby.
Travelling from the Bunya Mtns, is simple - just follow the road down the
southern side of the Bunyas. You will notice signs directing you to
Rimfire along the way. Keep in mind that Rimfire is at the town of
Maclagan - look out for these signs too. Alternatively ask the locals at
the Bunyas for directions.
A mobile phone will work in most locations don't hesitate to phone Rimfire
from your location for alternative directions. Ph 46921129 10.00am-5.00pm
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BUNYA MOUNTAINS
Looking to the north-east of Dalby, you will see the line of hills known
as the Bunya Mountains. These take their name from the many impressive
bunya pine trees, which grow on, and around their slopes.
The Bunya Mountains National Park takes in 11,700 hectares and offers
plenty to visitors from camping facilities to privately run chalet
accommodation.
For those wishing to visit the Bunya Mountains further information can be
found at:
www.cyberlink.com.au/bunyatourism or
www.bunyamountains.com
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