Discover Camoola: Windmill history and excursions

Around Camoola, windmill history, scenic back roads and excursions to the river and waterholes come together. This makes the area appealing to travellers who want to combine historic details, viewpoints and time in Lochern National Park. When planning, it’s worth distinguishing between the different types of excursion: a back-road route raises different considerations from a stay by the water or a visit to a viewpoint.

Windmill history in two places

A community notice from July 2024 describes a shelter in Iningai Park made from a Comet windmill blade. At the time, visitors could sit on the blade and examine details and the construction of a Comet windmill. The blade comes from Camoola Park in Longreach. This park is also linked to a specific windmill story: in 1902, a 22-foot Comet windmill of the D Patter type was erected there. It bore the number 1053 and patent number 2185-16, and pumped water from an artesian bore for livestock. The details about its type, dimensions and function make the technology’s historic use tangible.

Back roads and viewpoints

Camoola lies on a section of the Back Roads to Winton Drive: the stretch from Longreach to Lochern National Park extends to Camoola. The scenic drive runs from Longreach to Winton via Lochern National Park, Stonehenge and Jundah. The route alternates between sealed and unsealed roads; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Check current road conditions before setting out.

Another section runs from Camoola to Stonehenge along an unsealed road back to the Longreach–Jundah Road. At XXXX Hill, a viewpoint offers 360-degree views of the Thomson River floodplains and the surrounding Johnstone Ranges. Check the route and viewpoint locally before heading there. The different route sections and the panoramic view offer two distinct reasons to include the drive in your travel plans.

Activities in Lochern National Park

Lochern National Park has 20 kilometres of frontage along the Thomson River. Allow about two to four hours for the Lochern Habitat Drive, an approximately 40-kilometre loop. There are no walking tracks in the park. Visitors can, however, walk along the river and around the waterholes, or follow the Habitat Drive. Cycling is also possible on the drive. This gives you a choice of a longer circuit and shorter options by the water during your time in the park.

You can canoe and kayak at Broadwater Waterhole in Lochern National Park. Fishing is permitted in the waterholes, provided you comply with the applicable size and bag limits. Check current water conditions, restrictions and park access before undertaking an activity. If you’re planning an outing with several interests in mind, you can combine water activities here with a drive or time along the shore.

Camping and practical information

The Broadwater Waterhole camping area is suitable for tent camping beside your vehicle and for off-road camper trailers. There are no facilities or mobile reception. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for access. In dry conditions, two-wheel-drive vehicles can also get there with care. As access, weather and road conditions all matter, check them before travelling. Bush camping at Broadwater Waterhole is permitted; check current permit and access requirements in advance. Conditions at the campground and reception may also change.

The Stonehenge Visitor Information Centre has coffee, Telstra mobile reception with 3G and free Wi-Fi. Check that the services and connection are available before travelling. About two kilometres from the turn-off to Stonehenge, travellers can add their town name with stones to a Stonehenge-style visitors’ book. The tradition is described as long-standing; ask locally whether this is currently possible.

The two to four hours suggested for the Habitat Drive provide a specific timeframe for this excursion.

Discover more destinations

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For the broader travel overview: Queensland.