Tree of Knowledge
Situated across the road from this hotel is one of the most significant historical political attractions in Australia – a tree that sits in front of the Barcaldine Railway Station.
It is famous for its pivotal connection to the Great Shearers Strike of 1891 being the place where the striking shearers gathered, and the Manifesto that started the Queensland Labour Party. The Australian Labor Party was born from the state branch.
The Tree of Knowledge, or TOK to the locals, is now a memorial to the tree that was poisoned by person or persons unknown in 2009.
The memorial is comprised of a black box representing death or a coffin for the dead Tree (the original), with 3600 pieces of hardwood hanging down inside to give the impression of the original tree canopy.
The best view of the Tree is at night from up or down the street – or from the verandah of the Hotel Shakespeare – when coloured lights accentuate the shape of the original canopy.
Australian Workers Heritage Centre
The Centre was opened in 1991. Situated about 100m west of the Hotel Shakespeare, is one of Outback Queensland’s premier tourist destinations and National Monument to Australia’s working men and women.
Honouring all workers – past, present and future – and helping to preserve a vitally important part of Australian heritage and culture – Our Working Life.
Exhibits, landscaped grounds ideal for a picnic or bbq, playground facilities, leashed dogs welcome, retail shop, café.
Barcaldine Museum
The Museum is located on the same street as the side of the Hotel – Beech Street, diagonally opposite the Bowls Club.
It is a curated collection of the history of Barcaldine and district in numerous spaces, inside and outside, including a photo gallery.
Once a month the Historical Society host miniature train rides for children on the track around the museum grounds.
It is well worth a visit if you are interested in learning about the town and its early history.
Masonic Lodge
A Masonic Lodge, home of the Comet Lodge of Freemasons, has been part of Barcaldine’s history since its earliest days. The (second) unique building, built in 1900 and dedicated in 1901, stands today on the site of the original building that arrived in Barcaldine in 1886. Conservation work was undertaken on the building in the early 1980s, when the painted ‘masonry’ effect on the front façade was reinstated, and heritage work was undertaken on the interior.
It is usually not possible to tour the inside, but the exterior front paint work is clearly visible from the street. It is situated in Beech Street.
The Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail
200 kilometre circuit that loops from Barcaldine between Aramac, Lake Dunn and Jericho. Created by local artist, Milynda Rogers, you’ll find 40 or more sculptural installations showcasing Outback elements and life, from emu families to jackaroos.
The Barcaldine Rec Park
A man-made lake on the outskirts of Barcaldine. The lake is used for swimming, skiing, rowing and other water sports. Initially, there were great hopes that the park would act as an attraction to entice visitors to Barcaldine. A few problems with weed growth management appear to have held back its potential in that regard.It is fed with water straight from the Great Artesian Basin, with 40% evaporation rate per year.
St Peter’s Anglican Church is a heritage-listed building in Elm Street, Barcaldine. Dedicated in 1899, the timber Church was built by Meacham and Leyland local builders. It contains some of the most impressive stained glass panels in the Central West.
Regular church services are still held, but access is by appointment only. For appointments, please contact the Barcaldine Visitor Information Centre.
Radio Picture Theatre
Across the road from the Hotel Shakespeare in Beech Street, the Radio Picture Theatre was built in 1926.
The Radio Theatre built by David Stibbards was a handsome concrete structure ventilated by panels of metal louvres with a gravel floor and rows of canvas seats, 135 ft. long. It was a hard top, with an orchestra pit (eventually covered over with boards) down under the screen, and with a seating capacity of 400-450 people.
Its opening night, 10 April 1926, saw a crowd reported in the newspapers to be 850, including people from Aramac, pack the house. Music was supplied by a piano, violin and cornet. Those who couldn’t get in apparently went around to the Paramount, and it too had a good night.
Picture going was an important part of social life in the hard years and most people found attendance money somehow. The first week’s program cost 2/4d for canvas seats, 1/3d for back seats, children’s entry and chairs.
The equipment was a Western Electric projector, which had its own generator on standby for when the power went off. The first movies were silent films, with Lewis (Lewie) Vale playing piano.
Movies are still shown weekly on Friday and Sunday nights – check the poster board in the lobby.
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