Chinchilla

Memorabilia and some well preserved historical buildings, such as the first settler’s cottage and the old jail. There is also a steam sawmill from the 1990s, and an impressive display of vintage machinery, much of it still working. The Fred Newman Petrified Wood Collection is regarded as one of the largest of its kind to be found anywhere. You can also visit the Cypress Pines Interpretive Centre, which displays the history of logging in Chinchilla – once a major industry in the area.

Hosts a new exhibition every month from a wide variety of local, interstate and international artists.

Built in 1936 to commemorate this insect’s effort in eradicating the prickly pear pandemic. Listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, this hall is said to be the only building in the southern hemisphere that is dedicated to an insect. The story of the Cactoblastis is told outside the hall on an interpretive sign.

An interesting cemetery, with graves separated according to religion and headstones dating back to 1892. Next to it there is a park dedicated to Ludwig Leichhardt.

Take a wander through the history of Brigalow’s earlier settlers in this predominately Lutheran cemetery. Nearby are the remnants of the old school gates.

Opened in late 2007, the coal-fired power station can generate up to 750 megawatts electricity, which is enough to power almost one million homes. Kogan Creek Power Station provides baseload electricity into the national grid via a 28-km-long transmission line and sets new benchmarks for environmental performance and innovative design amongst coal-fired plants in Australia.

The Chinchilla White Gum is a rare species of Eucalypt that grows only in a 60-km radius to the north of Chinchilla. This magnificent tree, known botanically as Eucalyptus argophioia, is a photographer’s delight with its distinctive white trunk and open crown of narrow leaves.

The largest State Forest in the southern hemisphere. If you drive along Auburn Rd, you will pass several historic landmarks, such as Australia’s first oil bore, the Guymer baby bush grave (circa 1920) and the Dingo Barrier Fence (which has sonic deterrent on the grid).