The ultimate Charleville guide: a trifecta of tourism experiences
Make your next trip to Outback Queensland one that educates and inspires by visiting the town of Charleville.
Located along the Warrego River, 680km west of Brisbane, the largest town in South West Queensland, Charleville, happens to be HQ for three of the outback’s premier attractions.
Discover the role Charleville played during WWII at the Charleville World War II Facility, explore galaxies far away with a trip to the Cosmos Centre and Planetarium, and learn about the plight of Australia’s endangered bilbies at the Bilby Experience with this must-do Charleville guide.
1. Discover Charleville’s World War II Connection
Are you ready to uncover the top-secret reason why 3500 United States Army Air Force personnel were stationed in Charleville in 1943?
Unlock the reason why this town in Queensland’s outback was a key link to the Battle of the Coral Sea during WWII by visiting these attractions:
WWII Secret Base
Located off Qantas Drive next to the Charleville Airport, the WWII Secret Base is a self-guided interactive exhibition centre for history buffs.
The new, immersive, educational base showcases the triumphs and tribulations of the young American Servicemen during WWII.
Learn top secret information about the ocean voyages and classified missions, discover the stories of the soldiers and the wartime romances through interactive displays and interpretive signage.
WWII Secret Tour
Immerse yourself in a full military history experience with a tag-a-long tour of seven sites on the USAAF Base, including the Secret Vault.
Follow along in your own vehicle as a tour guide takes you on an hour and a half militaristic-style convoy.
The tour gives visitors the chance to understand and appreciate the measures it took to keep such a significant secret of WWII safe.
Tours can be booked through the WWII Secret Base, the Charleville Visitor Information Centre or online and run daily from 9am.
2. Charleville Cosmos Centre and Planetarium
Explore the depths of space from comfort of the Charleville Cosmos Centre.
The Charleville Cosmos Centre allows you to view the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere and provides fully guided tours to explore the galaxy and solar system.
View the rings of Saturn, look directly at the sun (safely and without hurting your eyes), and spy the craters on the moon and star clusters 17,000 light years away – all through the lens of their powerful telescopes.
Charleville is set to cement its status as star gazing capital when the Charleville Planetarium is completed in 2021 - earning this outback town the status of home to the largest planetarium in Queensland.
The planetarium will allow visitors to view a snapshot of the night sky, both from now and times throughout history. Take a glimpse of the skies and stars during the Universal Dreaming show. Learn about cultures of the past from around the world, while warming over the custom-built firepit
Once you’ve had your fill of the galaxy stop into The Milky Way Café for a burger and a shake to finish your day.
3. Charleville Bilby Experience
If you’ve been searching for the cutest encounter in the outback, drop by the Charleville Bilby Experience and meet South West Queensland’s favourite long-eared critter.
The Charleville Bilby Experience allows visitors a chance to view bilbies in their nocturnal house and learn about their successful breeding and release program. Did you know female bilbies are pregnant for only 12-14 days? This is one of the shortest gestations of all mammals on the planet.
Bilbies have been found in the desert regions of central and northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and remote parts of South West Queensland.
If you’re looking for a weekend of bilby-related fun, head to Charleville on the second Sunday in September for the annual Charleville Bilby Festival.
Find out more at www.experiencecharleville.com.au