Celebrating 30 Years - Established 1991

Welcome To Our Centre

The Australian Workers Heritage Centre is one of Outback Queensland’s premier tourist destinations and National Monument to our working men and women. Our mission is to honour all workers - past, present and future and help preserve a vitally important part of Australian heritage and culture - Our Working Life.

Located in Barcaldine in Outback Queensland, the Centre is a welcome oasis for visitors. Spread across over two hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding a tranquil billabong, the Australian Workers Heritage Centre presents a rich tapestry of exhibits capturing the spirit our nation's workers.

​

Including the Story of the Great Shearer’s Strike 1891, 'Working Women' Project, a 'One Teacher School', 'Working for Health' exhibition, 'Kunwarara' Railway Station and the original Australian Workers Union Hall.

​

Our landscaped grounds complement the visitor experience where you can enjoy a picnic or barbeque, while the kids explore our modern playground facilities.

​

Our centre is also home of the Young Un - Tree of Knowledge, a vibrant and beautiful Australian Ghost Gum and the only living descendant of the original Tree of Knowledge.

​

Stay for a few days in Barcaldine, home of the Tree of Knowledge Memorial and enjoy the friendly company of the locals who will tell the stories of their town’s very important place in Australia’s history.

​

Enjoy one of the Australian Outback’s hidden treasures. Get started on planning your trip now.

Australia's Working History

The Australian Workers Heritage Centre is the only national attraction dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary legacy of working Australians and plays a key role in defining our national character.

Australian workers have made an invaluable contribution to our nation and its resources.  They created unique social, political and industrial movements which were to reform and shape Australia's history. Few of the things accepted today as being part of the Australian way of life would exist if not for this long and proud contribution of workers.

WE ARE WHO WE ARE BECAUSE THEY WERE WHO THEY WERE...

The Great

Shearers' Strike

The Great Shearers' Strike of 1891 was a watershed in the history of working conditions in Australia and was a major catalyst in the growth of the Australian Labor Party.

Tree of

Knowledge

It's not often you see a memorial to a tree, but Barcaldine's Tree of Knowledge was no ordinary tree.  It became part of the history of the town from the beginning of settlement.

Plan Your Visit

Everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, including admission, travel options and available facilities.

Visit Us

The AWHC is located in Barcaldine on the Matilda Highway, about an hours drive from Longreach. Just one street back from the main street at 94 Ash Street. The Workers Heritage Centre is one of Outback Queensland’s best kept secrets, a significant tourist destination and part of the Queensland Government’s Heritage Trails Network.

​

Barcaldine is situated at the crossroads of two major highways – the Capricorn Highway from Rockhampton in the east and the Landsborough Highway (part of the Matilda Highway Tourist Route) coming up from the south before heading west to Longreach.

​

Our local travel agency, Barcaldine Travel can provide a personalised service and help you with planning your trip and booking your travel needs.

​

BARCALDINE NEWS & TRAVEL AGENCY

Phone: 07 4651 1104

Fax: 07 4651 2212

Email: barcytravel@bigpond.com
"Without a Travel Agent you are on your own"

​

​

​By ​Road

Sealed highways to and from all major towns ensure safety and comfort whether you travel by car, coach or van.

​

For Queensland traffic and travel information, please call 131 940 or visit http://www.131940.qld.gov.au

​

For Barcaldine regional road conditions, visit https://www.barcaldinerc.qld.gov.au/road-conditions

​

Bus Queensland - 1300 287 537 or visit https://www.busqldoutback.com.au

​

​Greyhound Bus Travel - 1300 473 946 or visit https://www.greyhound.com.au

​

​

By Rail

Queensland Rail's award winning Spirit of the Outback travels twice weekly to Barcaldine ex Brisbane via Rockhampton and return. 1800 872 467 or visit https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/railexperiences/ourtrains/spiritoftheoutback

​

By Air

Qantas operates flights to Barcaldine and Longreach - https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights.html

Rex Airlines - 13 17 13 or visit https://www.rex.com.au

​