Chinchilla Historical Museum
Memorabilia and some well preserved historical buildings, such as the first settlerâs cottage and the old jail. There is also a steam sawmill from the 1990s, and an impressive display of vintage machinery, much of it still working. The Fred Newman Petrified Wood Collection is regarded as one of the largest of its kind to be found anywhere. You can also visit the Cypress Pines Interpretive Centre, which displays the history of logging in Chinchilla â once a major industry in the area.
Boonarga Cactoblastis Hall
Built in 1936 to commemorate this insectâs effort in eradicating the prickly pear pandemic. Listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, this hall is said to be the only building in the southern hemisphere that is dedicated to an insect. The story of the Cactoblastis is told outside the hall on an interpretive sign.
Kogan Creek Power Station Viewing Area
Opened in late 2007, the coal-fired power station can generate up to 750 megawatts electricity, which is enough to power almost one million homes. Kogan Creek Power Station provides baseload electricity into the national grid via a 28km long transmission line and sets new benchmarks for environmental performance and innovative design amongst coal-fired plants in Australia.
Chinchilla White Gums
The Chinchilla White Gum is a rare species of Eucalypt that grows only in a 60km radius to the north of Chinchilla. This magnificent tree, known botanically as Eucalyptus argophioia, is a photographerâs delight with its distinctive white trunk and open crown of narrow leaves.
Barakula Forest
The largest State Forest in the southern hemisphere. If you drive along Auburn Rd, you will pass several historic landmarks, such as Australiaâs first oil bore, the Guymer baby bush grave circa 1920 and the Dingo Barrier Fence which has sonic deterrent on the grid.