Key Attractions
Chinchilla is a vibrant and friendly country town in the heart of the Western Downs and is considered to be a semi-rural area, so there is a real sense of community amongst locals.
1. Watermelon Festival & The Big Watermelon
Known as the “Melon Capital” of Australia, Chinchilla produces 25 percent of the country’s watermelons, rockmelons and honeydew melons and celebrates its status with the biennial Melon Festival.
It is also famous for “Big Melon” landmark as you drive into town. Every second February, the thriving Chinchilla community host the world biggest Melon festival. The community welcomes over 20,000 visitors to enjoy the unique, fun-filled and crazy experience with unique activities including Melon Skiing and Melon Chariot Races.
2. Chinchilla Botanical Parklands and Water Park
Located in the heart of Chinchilla, the Botanical Gardens and Water Park were a recent development completed in 2019. Covering an impressive 4.2 hectares between Canaga and Wambo Streets, the park provides wide open spaces for the entire family to enjoy, particularly the water park component which has been designed to fit in with the watermelon theme.
3. Chinchilla Weir
For a little country getaway, the Chinchilla Weir. Located on the Condamine River is 10kms south of town and is well known as freshwater playground and is a place for watersports, fishing, free camping, bush walking, and bike riding alike.
4. Chinchilla Museum
Located next to the Chinchilla Botanical Gardens, expect to learn everything there is to know about the town of Chinchilla at the Historical Museum. With a number of artefacts from the town and surrounding region’s past.
Among the buildings are Langlands Hall, the original Chinchilla State School and of course Goombi Hall known for its local dance hall reputation and the local Police Lockup that caused a drama during the night. A well-travelled church is in the process of being added. Exhibitions that you can see during your visit include The Green Plague, Beneath Chinchilla Soil, The Cypress Pine Interpretive Centre, The Car Shed, The Machinery Shed and The Kathleen Emmerson Library.
For those who have a fascination with trains, the museum even has its own Mini Rail that operates on the 1st Sunday of each month. For more information regarding timings, head over to the Museum’s Facebook page.
