About McKinlay
The McKinlay district was first discovered by Scottish born explorer, John McKinlay, in 1861 during his travel from Adelaide to the Gulf of Carpentaria. McKinlay was established in 1888 as a staging post for the Cobb and Co. coaches and a gathering point for the graziers from surrounding properties. McKinlay Shire Council offices were located in McKinlay until 1930, when they were moved to Julia Creek. McKinlay is more recently known as the home of the Walkabout Creek Hotel. This historic pub was once the Shire Hall and has recently gained notoriety as the pub in the movie “Crocodile Dundee”. The hotel was originally named the Federal Hotel and was built in 1900 and licensed in 1901.
Attractions
The Coolibah Tree
Created during a welding workshop at the ‘Crafty Old School House’ in 2013, The McKinlay Coolibah Tree, celebrates the history of the area, and recognises that even though the population of a small outback town seems small, there is a much wider community who belong to it. The project was a welcome distraction from the pressure and stress that the locals face due to drought.
The sculpture is made from vintage metal objects collected from local station dumps. The trunk represents the McKinlay village, and the major branches are the 4 main roads that intersect in the village. These are oriented in the actual direction of the roads. The roads to the properties are indicated with antique metal artifacts. The leaves are cut from old roofing iron and there is a leaf for each person currently living on each property.
Participants in the project ranged in age from 10 to 73, with local kids making ceramic birds to add to the tree. The project was funded by the McKinlay Shire Council and the Queensland State Government through the Regional Arts Development Fund. Sponsored by ‘Sandfire Resources NL’
Look closely and try to find these vintage objects:
- A shearer’s comb.
- A horse shoe.
- A railway spike.
- An Axe head.
- A stirrup.
- Hand shears.
- TB
- The Southern Cross.
- Horse bit.
QANTAS HERITAGE TRAIL MONUMENT
McKinlay Shire Council is proud to announce the installation of a QANTAS Heritage Monument at McKinlay Centenary Park, honouring the legacy of aviation pioneers Hudson Fysh, Paul McGinness, and Fergus McMaster.This project has been developed in close collaboration with descendants of the QANTAS co-founders, including Fergus Fysh and Phil McMaster. It also pays tribute to the late Duncan Fysh, a long-time McKinlay resident and passionate custodian of QANTAS history, whose dedication helped preserve this remarkable story for future generations. The monument commemorates the first QANTAS passenger flight on November 3, 1922, with McKinlay as a key stop on that historic journey.
CROCODILE DUNDEE HISTORY
Come on out to McKinlay and check out the Walkabout Creek Hotel, see the original pub set, safari truck and other items from the movie yourself. From April to October, the Walkabout Creek Hotel do a great range of meals, but all year round, they have accommodation, caravan park, a huge range of coldies, spirits and other refreshments available. Please note though, you cannot just turn up and take photos without spending something to help out the economy of McKinlay. So why not book in and stay a night or 2, restock your supplies and check out the scenery!
