24 Best Things to Do in Winton, QLD
Best known for its dinosaurs, Winton, a small town located in Outback Queensland, has plenty of fun things to do for all ages.
The town of Winton has both museums and quirky things to see, plus of course, the dinosaurs.
My family visited Winton along with Longreach on our holiday to Outback Queensland and we all enjoyed our time there. Though it is a small town, we found plenty to do in Winton.
If you are looking for something fun to do in Winton, trying to figure out how many days you need to spend in Winton, or something fun to do at night in Winton, keep reading for all of the best things to do in Winton, Queensland.
Best Things to Do in Winton
#1 Waltzing Matilda Centre
The Waltzing Matilda Centre is located on the main road in Winton and consists of multiple museums.
The Waltzing Matilda Centre is the first museum in the world that is dedicated to a song. The song can be heard many times, in different ways, throughout the museum.
In addition to learning about the song, the Waltzing Matilda Centre has an art gallery and antiques on display as well as information on Winton and the birth of Qantas Airlines.
The Tuckerbox Cafe and a shop are also located inside the Waltzing Matilda Centre.
#2 The Musical Fence
While the actual fence can be played as a musical instrument, our kids much preferred the instruments made out of recycled materials.
The favorite amongst my family is the drumset, though the other instruments are fun to play as well.
The Musical Fence is located near the Diamantina Heritage Truck & Machinery Museum. It is partially fenced in and there is stadium seating available.
#3 Visit Arno’s Wall
Another quirky attraction in Winton is Arno’s Wall which is located behind the North Gregory Hotel in Arno’s Park.
Arno’s Wall is made up of spare parts and concrete. Literally, anything is used in the wall including a toilet, hubcaps, and a kitchen sink.
While the wall is worth a visit, there isn’t much to do in the park, so don’t plan on staying too long at Arno’s Wall.
#4 Corfield and Fitzmaurice General Merchants
Formally a General Store, the Corfield and Fitzmaurice General Merchants is now a museum as well as a craft and souvenir shop run by volunteers.
Museum entry only costs a Gold Coin donation. Inside, you can learn about the shop’s history, dinosaurs, opal, and wool.
#5 Shop for Opals
Winton has a few opal shops that are perfect for browsing and buying beautiful jewelry.
For the kids, there are rough-cut opals that they can clean up and purchase at The Opal Miner. The Opal Miner also has a small display-like museum in the back that you can walk through without a charge.
#6 The Crack Up Sisters
Near the end of the main road in Winton is The Crack-Up Sisters house which has an outdoor theatre in the back and artwork around the yard.
I am not completely sure when the Crack-Up Sisters house is open as we tried to go when the sign out front said it was open (Wednesday to Sunday, 3-4:30 pm) and they were closed.
Walking back to our hotel, a group of women had seen us trying to enter and said that they had a show earlier that day, but it wasn’t clear when it was open.
If you are interested in seeing a show at the Crack-Up Sisters, contact them through their website before your visit to Winton.
#7 Diamantina Heritage Truck & Machinery Museum
Right by the Musical Fence is the Diamantina Heritage Truck & Machinery Museum.
Vehicles, photographs, and memorabilia were collected by volunteers and turned into a museum featuring trucks and machinery.
While some of the items can be seen from the Musical Fence, in order to see everything inside the museum, a ticket must be purchased.
#8 Winton Aquatic Centre
Cool off at the Winton Aquatic Centre which is located across the street from the Waltzing Matilda Centre.
In addition to the pool, there is a splash area with water slides.
#9 Winton Library
The library is always a great place to go, and Winton Public Library is a nice place to pass the time.
With plenty of seating, air-conditioning, and lots to do, Winton Public Library is a welcoming place to be in the main center of town.
The children’s area has a few toys to play with as well as many books. The library has computers, and wifi, and is open to anyone who stops in.
#10 Horse and Wagon Tour
Take a Horse and Wagon Tour around Winton.
The tour takes about 30 minutes and includes commentary about the area.
#11 See the Outback from Above
Get a birds-eye view of Winton while flying on a helicopter or a fixed-wing aircraft with Outback from Above which leaves from Winton Airport.
Some of the experiences just include the fight while others include tours on land as well.
#12 Winton Skate Park
If you happen to have your bike, scooter, or skateboard, stop at the Winton Skate Park to ride.
If you are interested in visiting Winton but would rather arrive on a tour from Longreach, check out the Winton Discovery Day Tour.
Best Things to do Near Winton
#13 Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History
Though the museum isn’t directly in town, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs is just 24 kilometers outside of Winton.
There are multiple options at the museum including visiting a fossil prep laboratory, viewing the collection room, seeing the March of the Titanosaurs, and exploring Dinosaur Canyon.
If you aren’t quite sure which exhibits you want to see, read this guide.
Seeing everything at this location of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs takes about half of a day. For those driving in from Longreach, it is a good idea to visit the dinosaurs on the way in or out of town.
If you want a ride to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Red Dirt Tours has a tour that includes transportation and 3 tours at the museum.
If you are limited on time but still want to visit the Fossil Lab and the Collection Room, book this tour.
#14 Dinosaur Stampede
Another dinosaur option is to visit the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park which is about 110 kilometers outside of Winton.
Tickets to the Dinosaur Stampede can be purchased at the same time you purchase the Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History tickets, or you can choose to take a day tour to the Dinosaur Stampede from Winton.
The Dinosaur Stampede Tour including Moreton Gorge and the Carisbrook Station and Dinosaur Stampede Tour both include pick-up from Winton.
#15 Hiking at Lake Quarry Conservation Park
While you are at the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument, plan to hike after the tour.
The Spinifex Circuit is 700 meters return and takes about 30 minutes to complete. While most of Spinifex Circuit is an easy walk, it does get steep in some areas.
Jump Up Look is a 3.5-kilometer hike that takes about 2.5 hours to complete. This track is for experienced and well-prepared hikers only.
If you just want to take a small walk after visiting the Dinosaur Stampede, there is a lookout nearby.
#16 Dinner and Sheep Show
Learn about the day-to-day operations of a sheep station with a live presentation and a campfire dinner.
The show and dinner last about 2 hours and can be booked with Winton Adventure Tours.
#17 Combo Waterhole
It is probable that the song Waltzing Matilda is based on what occurred at Combo Waterhole which is located 156 kilometers northwest of Winton.
Just a few minutes off the highway, along a sealed road is Combo Waterhole as well as historical information.
#18 Red Dirt Tours
For those who would rather have a guide or a ride, Red Dirt Tours has plenty of different tour options from Winton including Bladensburg National Park, The Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Opalton Fossicking, and Rangeland Rifts.
Red Dirt Tours also offers multi-day tours.
#19 Bladensburg National Park
Located in Opalton, Queensland, Bladensburg National Park has beautiful views and a rich history.
Take a hike in Bladensburg National Park, head to a lookout, or even camp out for the night. Bladensburg National Park is just 17 kilometers outside of Winton.
Best Things to Do in Winton at Night
#20 Gondwana Stars
Located at the Age of Dinosaurs Museum, Gondwana Stars Observatory is an international dark-sky observatory.
Tours of the night sky are held at Gondwana Stars Observatory in the busy months, from April until October. The tours leave from Winton.
#21 Royal Theatre
Watch a movie at an open-air theatre in Winton. The Royal Theatre is open multiple nights a week and shows classic movies.
While it is hard to know what is playing from their website, a monthly calendar is available outside of the theatre. The website does announce which night movies will be shown and lets you know if it is a Royal Feature, Sunday Classic, or Nostalgic Night.
#22 Rangeland Rifts and Sunset Tour
Head to Rangeland Rifts at sunset and enjoy snacks while you check out the view on the Rangeland Rifts and Sunset Tour.
This tour lasts about 3 hours and guests are picked up at their accommodations in Winton.
#23 Signs at Sunset
For a small town, Winton has a lot of signs with its name on them.
Of course, the signs are available to see any time of the day or night, they are pretty at sunset. Oftentimes, you won’t be the only ones there trying to capture a picture of the Winton signs as the sun goes down.
The Winton sign with the letters located on the ground has an “i” that can be put down and a person can stand in its place.
#24 Enjoy a Meal at a Classic Outback Pub
Winton doesn’t have a lot of restaurant options, and the choice for dinner is to enjoy a pub meal.
Tattersalls Hotel has a kid’s corner filled with books and games, and many of the pubs have live music and other entertainment depending on the day of the week.
Winton Events
Be sure to check festival dates whether you plan on visiting Winton for a specific event or not. Winton gets crowded during these events and accommodation will be harder to find.
Camping is always an option during these special events, as additional camping and glamping sites are added for many of the following events.
Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival
Featuring Outback-inspired films and First-Nations storytellers, the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival takes place at the Royal Theatre each winter.
The film festival includes more than movies, there is live entertainment, meet and greets, and parties as well.
Way Out West Fest
Winton’s Way Out West Fest takes place in Autumn and includes music, bull-riding, and more.
Plenty of camping is available during Way Out West Fest, including rent-a-tent for those who don’t have their own supplies.
Outback Festival
The Outback Festival takes place over 5 days in Winton over Queensland’s September school holidays.
The Outback Festival includes live music, sporting events, bush poetry, an Outback Ironman competition, and more.
Festival camping and glamping are available during the festival.
Winton Opal Festival
The Winton Opal Festival is a free event that takes place in Winton over 2 days in the winter and 1 day in spring.
Tents are lined up on the street with jewelry and rough-cut opals as well as other goods.
Winton Accommodations
Winton offers a few different types of accommodations including hotels, motels, and campsites. There aren’t any luxury accommodations in Winton.
Winton Accommodations tend to be clean and basic. Here are a few options.
Find the best family-friendly accommodations in Winton.
Winton Restaurants
As expected in an Outback town, the restaurants in Winton include pubs, a bakery, and a few cafes.
- Ballamara Bakery
- Musical Fence Cafe
- Tuckerbox Cafe
- The Lost Poet
- Tattersalls Hotel
- Australian Hotel
- North Gregory Hotel
Winton FAQ
Yes, it is absolutely worth going to Winton. Besides seeing the dinosaurs, Winton is a small Outback town with plenty to do and it is easy to keep busy for a few days in Winton whether there is a festival occurring at the time or not.
Just a couple of days are needed to see Winton in Outback Queensland. Make sure you have at least 2 days to see both The Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History and the Dinosaur Stampede.
The dinosaurs are not a full-day event and it is easy to see more of Winton after the dinosaur tours each day.
Winton, QLD is famous for Banjo Patterson’s Waltzing Matilda as well as being the home to the world’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils and the only evidence in the world of a dinosaur stampede.
Yes, Winton has a pool as well as a splash area with multiple slides.
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum is the most popular thing to do in Winton with children. Children also enjoy the Waltzing Matilda Centre, swimming at Winton Aquatic Centre, and playing at the Musical Fence.
