Winton, Queensland

Winton Region Overview

Winton's principle claim to fame is that an incident at the nearby Combo Waterhole at Dagworth Station is said to be the stimulus behind the uniquely Australian anthem 'Waltzing Matilda'.

A statue to the 'Swagman' , the unfortunate tramp who was drowned, has been erected in honour of the legendary Banjo Patterson song.

Qantilda Centre

The Qantilda centre is a complex of eight buildings which house exhibits and artefacts which tell the story of the history of Winton from its rich and colourful past to the present day.

There are Aboriginal artefacts, including a partly carved tree (being transformed into a boomerang), vintage cars, wines and trains.

Winton was also the location of the first office for Qantas and to commerate this there is a model of their first plane, an AVRO 504K and a presentation on the early days of the airline.

Opal Walk

Winton is also in Opal country and Opal Walk is a recreation of an opal miner's camp. You can purchase the gem stones from the shop in which the display is located.

Road Trains

Winton is one of Queensland biggest cattle trucking depots and frequented by many of the huge 3-5 trailer Road trains which ply the outback roads.

The trucks can be over 50 metres long and are an impressive site

Waltzing Matilda Lyrics

Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong,

Under the shade of a coolibah tree,

And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me. Down came a jumbuck to drink beside the billabong

Up jumped the swagman and seized him with glee

And he sang as he tucked jumbuck in his tuckerbag

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came the stockman, riding on his thoroughbred,

Down came the troopers, one, two, three.

"Where's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman and plunged into the billabong,

"You'll never catch me alive," cried he

And his ghost may be heard as you ride beside the billabong,

You'll come a waltzing matilda with me. ?

A.B. (Banjo) Paterson