Barcaldine History Lesson

This small Outback town is steeped in history from the birth of the Australian Labour Party. In 1891, it was one of the focal points of the Australian shearers' strike, with the Eureka Flag flying over the strike camp.



The landmark Tree of Knowledge, under which the strikers met, stood outside the railway station.

In 2006, persons unknown poisoned the tree with the herbicide Roundup, which led to its demise. Now, there is an amazing wooden artwork around the dead ghost gum tree with soothing chimes.

And there's more to the story. Barcaldine’s Australian Workers Heritage Centre, now houses the ‘Young-Un’ (or Son of the Tree of Knowledge) cloned from the original tree’s DNA planted in early 2011 by then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

A heritage walk winds past five local pubs. I'd say all that shearing and mustering makes for a thirsty mob in town!

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Barcaldine, Tree of Knowledge, Queensland