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 Fossilised Stump  Artesian Bore  Highway Sign  Jackie Howe Statue |
Accommodation in Blackall, Central Western Queensland.Blackall is 1127 klms north-west of Brisbane on the Matilda Highway and is 284 metres above sea-level. The town was first settled in 1864 and in 1868 it was surveyed, gazetted and named after Samuel Wensley Blackall, then-governor of Queensland.The town is supplied with water from the Great Artesian Basin. The water is pure, uncontaminated and ideal for drinking. This water flows from the basin under its own pressure and bores are usually drilled to a depth of 2500ft (800m). The water temperature in Blackall is 58 degrees Celsius, therefore a means of cooling water is more important than heating.  Places of interest –  Aquatic CentreThe Aquatic Centre has an artesian spa bath, a 50m swimming pool and is open all year except for May. Rest, relax and revive at Blackall's Aquatic Centre. The Black StumpThe Black Stump was used for surveying purposes and permanently marks the original Astro Station established in 1887. Anything west of this point is said to be 'beyond the black stump'. Jackie Howe StatuePerhaps the most famous event in Blackall's history was the remarkable shearing achievement of Jackie Howe in 1892. The event has been memorialised in the form of a handsome statue located outside the Tattersalls Hotel in the main street. The inscription on the plaque explains why Howe is still so admired in western Queensland: 'World Champion Blade Shearer Jackie Howe (John Robert Howe) 1861-1920. Blade shore 321 sheep in 7 hours 40 minutes at 'Alice Downs' Blackall on Monday 10 October 1892'. It was a world record which was not beaten until 1950 when electric shears were introduced. According to local mythology, Howe's remarkable abilities came from his huge hands and the fact that he trained by squeezing a rubber ball. In later life he became a publican and was much liked by his fellow shearers. The Old WoolscourThe Historical Woolscour is located 4km north along Clematis Street. It is a living museum, and a direct physical link to Australia's pioneering era. It is unique, totally authentic, full of history, culture, and great educational and social values. Woolscour means wool washing, and Blackall has the last example left intact of a steam-powered wool washing plant with a working shearing shed attached. It operated under steam power from 1908 until 1978 and remains today as it operated. A visit to the woolscour will allow your imagination to be captured by the secrets of the steam machinery. There is a 20 stand shearing shed attached to the complex. Tour guides are on site every day from 8.00 to 4.00pm during April to November. Blackall Cultural CentreThe Centre faces Memorial Park on Hawthorne Street, forming a backdrop to the Spanish mahogany and fig trees. The building includes an auditorium, supper room, kitchen and bar. An art gallery displays local and touring exhibitions. The form of the building echoes the long rolling forms of the western topography and reflects the historical building materials of western Queensland. Idalia National ParkIdalia National Park is 113km south-west of Blackall in the Gowan Ranges. Access to Idalia is suitable for four-wheel-drive only. Take the Isisford Road from Blackall for 42klms then turn left onto the Yaraka Road. At the Benlidi siding, turn left and follow the ldalia-Benlidi Road about 34km to the park boundary. Amid the gorges and rocky formations of the Gowan Ranges, Idalia National Park protects extensive mulga woodlands, the Bulloo River's headwaters and threatened wildlife. Seven species of macropods, including yellow-footed rock-wallabies and endangered bridled nailtail wallabies live here and 15 species of fuchsia grow here. |
 Aquatic Centre  The Old Woolscour  Cultural Centre  Idalia National Park |
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