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Mitchell - Queensland
Mitchell is a quaint town on the banks of the Maranoa River, 587 kilometres west of Brisbane. It is the gateway to Outback Queensland and was named in honour of Sir Thomas Mitchell, who explored this area in 1846. Mitchell has wide tree-lined streets with cafes, a bakery, hotels, supermarkets, an art gallery and other specialty stores.
When we visited Mitchell we started the day by relaxing in the Great Artisan Spa, then explored the Booringa Museum and the Musical Cattle Grid. We then wandered around town and viewed the Old Kenniff Courthouse before heading out of town to see the Kenniff sculpture at Arrest Creek.
The Great Artesian Spa complex is open seven days a week and includes a visitor centre, a cafe, and two large pools. One pool uses naturally heated water from the Great Artesian Basin to relax tired muscles, ease tension, and revitalise both body and mind. The other pool is much cooler and quite refreshing.
The Booringa Heritage Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during the tourist season. It has lovely displays that showcase and preserve the history of the old Booringa Shire.
On the banks of the Maranoa River is a quirky fence maze that leads to the Musical stock grid, where you can play the outdoor musical instruments.
We then wandered along Cambridge Street, the main street running through town, and admired the interesting colonial buildings on the wide tree-lined street.
The Old Kenniff Courthouse is on Cambridge Street, near the lovely old windmill, and this is where the infamous bushrangers Patrick and James Kenniff were committed to stand trial for the murder of a Policeman and Station Manager in 1902.
Arrest Creek is seven kilometres south of Mitchell on St. George Road. Here, you will see the Kenniff Statue, which depicts the story of the trial and capture of the Kenniff Brothers. This minimalist sculpture by Peter Baulch recreates the moment that one of Australia’s last bushrangers met his fate after three months on the run.
The red bucket head lying on the ground represents Patrick Kenniff. Two policemen stand guard behind him, alongside an Indigenous tracker.
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