Chinchilla Weir
Water skiing, fishing, swimming and canoeing bring your own are some of the activities to be enjoyed on the water, and there are great facilities for picnics and barbecues. The Chinchilla Weir is also a first-rate place for bird watching, with over 50 species regularly sighted. Itâs also a spectacular place to watch a sunset. Check at the Visitor Information Centre before you go, as the water levels do fluctuate.
Like Melons?
Chinchilla is Australia's Melon Capital, and the town is very proud of this fact. The Chinchilla Melon Festival (http://www.melonfest.com.au) is the only one of its kind and is lots of fun, because it is extremely interactive â you can join in on all their wacky activities, like Melon Skiing, Melon Bungee, Melon Bullseye, Melon Ironman, Melon Chariot Racing, Pip Spitting, Melon Eating races, or even challenge John Allwood for the Guinness World Record of Melon Head Smashing cracking open the watermelon with the head only â no hands or assistance. Currently his record is 47 melons in a minute.
The first Chinchilla Melon Festival was held in 1994 by local producers and businessmen, in response to the severe drought experienced in the early 1990s. Estimated numbers at the first Festival were approximately 2,500, and it has been estimated that there were 10,000 visitors on the main day of the last Festival Feb 2009. In 2009, the Melon Festival won the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Award for Tourism Event.
Chinchilla Melon Festival
Held every second year next to be in February 2011, this Festival is a must-go for a completely unique experience!
Tourist Drives
Collect your âTourist Driveâ brochure from the Visitor Information Centre. There are seven drives available with different themes. Interpretive signs highlight historical and cultural features on some of these drives.
Charleyâs Creek Riverside Park
This pleasant park is located beside the peaceful waters of Charleyâs Creek, which was named after an aboriginal tracker and guide who travelled with Leichhardt. The walkways extend under both the railway and highway bridges and there are also a number of interpretive signs pointing out local wildlife. There are picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and a childrenâs playground which makes it an excellent spot for lunch, relaxation and bird watching.
Fishing
Ask for a copy of the Western Downs Fishing Guide at the VIC.
Fossicking for Petrified Wood
âChinchilla Redâ petrified wood is famous all over the world for its beauty.