Things to do in Chinchilla, Queensland

The best things to do in Chinchilla, Queensland, include the Chinchilla Historical Museum, Chinchilla Botanic Parkland and cycling in the Barakula State Forest.

Chinchilla, Queensland, is a fairly non-descript rural town in the Western Downs region. You’ll pass through on the Dalby to Roma leg of a drive from Brisbane to Roma.

Book your Chinchilla accommodation for from $94 a night.

Chinchilla happily brands itself as the melon capital of Australia. It produces around 25% of Australia’s watermelons and hosts a biennial melon festival.

Things to do in Chinchilla, Queensland: Chinchilla Historical Museum

But visit the Chinchilla Historical Museum, and there’s a much more interesting story to discover about how the town conquered the Green Plague. This is a story about prickly pears, originally imported to the country in attempt to start a clothing dye industry. These pesky cacti spread like wildfire, blighting otherwise fertile farming land across the country. In Chinchilla, cactoblastus moths were bred, then released on the prickly pears. The moths worked a treat, and were hailed as the saviours of rural Australia.

Chinchilla was so proud of its cactus-eating moths that a memorial hall was built in their honour. The Boonarga Cactoblastis Memorial Hall is about 11km east of the town, along the Warrego Highway.

Things to do in Chinchilla, Queensland: Chinchilla Botanic Parkland

Other things to do in Chinchilla, Queensland, include the Chinchilla Botanic Parkland and Chinchilla Weir. The Chinchilla Botanic Parkland is in the town centre. There’s a watermelon-themed water play area for the kids, while you can learn about native plants and trees in the Demonstration Garden or along one of the walking trails.

Chinchilla Botanic Parklands in Chinchilla, Queensland.

Chinchilla Weir is to the south of town on the Condamine River. The area around the dam is popular with locals for swimming, fishing and waterskiing. It’s also possible to go camping on the banks.

Visiting the Barakula State Forest

The other spot worth visiting is the Barakula State Forest, 45km to the north of Chinchilla. It’s the largest managed state forest in Australia and is mainly about harvesting cypress pine timber. There are roads threading through the forest should you fancy a scenic drive. But it’s mountain bikers who’ll get the most out of it, as they can go exploring along the forest trails.

There’s plenty of wildlife to look out for inside the Barakula State Forest. Keep an eye open for powerful owls, turquoise parrots, black cockatoos and yellow-bellied gliders.