Many of our Outback Beds members are dog friendly so you are welcome to bring your four-legged friend on your travels. Members that welcome dogs have this ( ) symbol on their page BUT please check with the member concerned before bringing your dog as some members have some conditions that apply.
Queensland town of Cunnamulla (Population = 1200) is another one of those Outback places that stirs the Australia psyche and provides iconic images of stockmen, shears and a nostalgic way of life. The indigenous transliteration of the name is ‘dry water hole’ and it has been said that in Cunnamulla, the handshakes are stronger and the smiles last longer. If you think these things top the list of iconic Australia, it is alleged that the long running feud between NSW and Queensland known as ‘The State of Origin’ (Rugby) was started here with a game between Cunnamulla and Bourke. They like their larrikins out this way and there is no exception here with the ‘Cunnamulla Fella’, a bronze statue in the town centre, paying homage to the larrikin of the Australian spirit.
Cunnamulla is the first port of call on the Matilda Highway when heading North. It is 800km South West of Brisbane and is at the Crossroads for Melbourne to the Top and Brisbane to South Australia. The town prides itself on its natural beauty and the friendly relaxed lifestyle. It is an area rich in both Pastoral and Aboriginal history and was home to characters such as Breaker Morant and Nancy Bird Walton. Cunnamulla had the largest shearing shed in the world and was also home to Tyson, one of the nations great pastoralists.
First settled after the explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell explored the area looking for a route the Gulf Country, Cunnamulla was established in the late 1879 as a stopover point for Cobb & Co, the town is the service centre for the area which is chiefly involved in wool, pig and kangaroo hunting, and the hospitality industry.
Visit the friendly staff at the Visitors Information Centre, housed in the Cunnamulla Fella Centre which also boasts the Regional Art Gallery and Museum, to be guided on where to go and what to do during your visit.
While at the Centre, children and adults will enjoy traveling through the Artesian Time Tunnel to discover a little about the Dinosaurs that roamed Australia millions of years ago and the history of Opal Mining in the area as well as information about the Great Artesian Basin and the water that flows from it, which is the lifeblood for a large part of the Outback.
Be delighted by the discovery of the magnificent sand hills on the outskirts of town where you can enjoy the adrenalin rush of “snowboarding” outback style or just wander through at your own pace. Throw a line into the majestic Warrego River to try your hand at catching the elusive Murray Cod and Yellowbelly or just sit and relax and enjoy the peace and quite as the birds and animals come into drink. There is also a River Walk with interpretive signage on the western side of the Darby Land Bridge or the Heritage Trail through the town which offers a glimpse into the towns history. At days end soak up the surreal sunsets before the arrival of the magnificent stars which carpet the immense skies and leave you is awe. This is just part of the everyday life out here and the locals would like to share it with you.
There are a large number of different industries within the area, among which are wool, fat lambs, cattle, goats, opals, grapes, honey, asparagus, macropod harvesting, shearing, wheat, dates and figs. Innovative locals are always looking at ways to value add, as you explore the shire you will see the end results and some of the results are available to you .
Although Cunnamulla is the largest service centre in the Paroo Shire another three townships of Eulo, Yowah and Wyandra help make up the Shire and no trip to the Outback is complete without visiting each of these towns as they are all rich in their own history and splendor with a story to tell and an experience to share. Stop for awhile and enjoy what the area has to offer, you won’t be disappointed.
Where to Stay 
