The Winton Hotel (CG)

The Winton Hotel can be found in the small town of Winton in Queensland’s Channel Country between Longreach and Cloncurry. The hotel was established in 1899 and has been operated by Kevin and Jo Fawcett for more than 20 years.

There is no accommodation provided in the hotel, however in recent times Kevin and Jo have opened up an area next to the hotel for campers and RVers. There is space for around 60 caravans, with some shady areas on offer. There’s no power or water available in the campground, but there are toilets, showers and a laundry that campers can use in the hotel. Campsite fees are donated to charities and community groups such as local sports clubs, Scouts and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The hotel has recently been renovated and repainted. It offers a drive-through bottle shop, pokies, keno and, of course, nice cold beer and other beverages. Every day from 5 to 6 pm is happy hour. Outside there’s a shady, grassed beer garden to relax in while catching up with fellow campers and locals. And if you’d like to take a break from cooking, the hotel serves meals including steak, chicken parmigiana, pizza, burgers, lamb chops and more.

Winton is quite well serviced for a small town, with a hospital, supermarkets, pharmacy, butcher, mechanic and swimming pool amongst the facilities.

HOW TO GET THERE
The hotel is on the corner of Werna and Cork Streets. If entering Winton from the west, Werna Street is the second street on the left off the Landsborough Highway. If coming from the east or north, turn right into Cork Street, which is in the centre of town.

SITE ACCESS
Arrival is preferred after 10am due to morning preparations.
Campground access is at the back of the hotel. Please pull up and see staff at bar who will assist you.

FEES & BOOKINGS
Fee is from $5/person per night with all proceeds donated back to a series of charities.
Bookings are not essential but best to call ahead.

CHECK IN TIME
Between 10am – 6pm. Outside of those times is not suitable.

THINGS TO DO
There are a number of things to do in and around Winton. The area is renowned for having some of the best dinosaur fossils in the world. Either explore on your own or take a guided tour with one of the tour companies based in the town.

Dinosaur Museum
Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. You can take a guided tour of the collection and the fossil preparation laboratory or wander at your leisure on the outdoor walking trails.

Lark Quarry
The Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry is 110 km from Winton but well worth the trip if you’re interested in dinosaurs. The site is the only place in the world known to show evidence of a dinosaur stampede, with more than 3,000 fossilised tracks.

Heritage Truck and Machinery Museum
If you prefer trucks to dinosaurs, this museum showcasing restored trucks and machinery is worth a visit.

Winton’s Way Out West Fest
This festival only began in 2018 but is planned to be an annual event. Held in late April, it’s a 4-day music festival with a big line-up of artists appearing.

Waltzing Matilda Centre
Banjo Patterson wrote the lyrics of Waltzing Matilda in the Winton region and the song was first performed in the town. The Waltzing Matilda Centre is dedicated not only to the song but also to local history including opal mining, Aboriginal culture and the beginnings of Qantas.

Opalton
If you fancy trying your luck at opal fossicking, head to Opalton, known as Queensland’s Capital of Boulder Opal. But don’t forget to pick up your fossicking permit first.

Bladensburg National Park
Once a grazing property, this park gives a glimpse of what station life was like, with the old homestead, shearing shed and other buildings still in place. It’s also an interesting spot for its landscape and wildlife.

WHAT’S NEARBY
Matilda Country Tourist Park
Tattersalls Hotel Van Park
North Gregory Hotel