The Qantilda Museum

About The Museum:

The forerunner to today's Qantilda Museum was opened on 17 August 1972, as Qantilda Pioneer Place, under the management of the Winton District Historical Society.

The concept of a museum was initiated by Winton residents keen to preserve the history of the district, and began as a single brick building, formerly the premises of the local accountant. Eight buildings now make up the complex, with the original building being replaced by the Qantilda Room, featuring a timeline of significant events in the history of the Winton district. This is complemented by numerous displays recreating pioneering history since the 1870s.

Tree showing partly completed boomerang

Explore the fascinating timeline of Winton history, from aboriginal times, through the great pastoral stations of Oondooroo, Elderslie, Bladensburg, Vindex and Dagworth, the sacrifices of the World Wars, to the present day.

Model of the AVRO 504K, the first QANTAS plane

Listen to Sir Hudson Fysh tell the story of the birth of QANTAS, and the trials and triumphs of the early years in Western Queensland. From the tiny beginnings of the first AVRO biplane came the mighty QANTAS of today.

Qantilda Research and Reading Room

Research your family history from the Winton District Historical Society records, in the airconditioned comfort of the reading room. Discover the stories behind the turbulent shearers' strikes of the 1890s and the writing of Waltzing Matilda in the Winton district in 1895.

Steam engine at Chorregon siding

Imagine yourself back in the early days of transport, on the steam train and carriage drawn up at the Chorregon rail siding, or among the parade of buggies and early motor vehicles. A highlight of the collection is the 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steer Jeffery Quad truck, circa 1916.

.

Wagonette used by Winton district droving plant.

Other displays include a 4000 bottle collection, photographs from the 1870s onwards, machinery and blacksmith tools, and a huge variety of household items from pioneering times.

Since 1998, the Waltzing Matilda Centre, Outback Regional Gallery, and Qantilda Museum, have together formed a large historical precinct, opposite the swimming pool where the famous statue of the Swaggie sits in contemplation.

A single admission fee gives visitors access to the whole complex. (Click here for admission details.)