Waltzing Matilda Centre - Home page

Waltzing matilda centre exterior web

Wmc logo

If there is one song that lives in the heart of all Australians, it is "Waltzing Matilda"...

Be Inspired

Winton's Waltzing Matilda Centre tells the story of Waltzing Matilda, Winton, and the Outback region.

  • Best of Queensland Experience 2025

  • Waltzing Matilda

    If there is one song that lives in the heart of all Australians, it is "Waltzing Matilda".

  • Main Exhibition

    Experience the story of Waltzing Matilda and Western QLD through interactive displays.

  • The Billabong

    The centre of the visitor experience is the Billabong, a cutting-edge innovative art installation.

  • Visitor Information

    The Waltzing Matilda Centre contains an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

  • Outback Regional Art Gallery

    The Outback Regional Gallery is one of three exhibition spaces located inside the Waltzing Matilda Centre.

  • What A Life!

    Rock Photography by Tony Mott

  • Winton Boulder Opal

    You will find genuine Winton Boulder Opal littered throughout the walls and floors of the centre.

  • Chorregon Railway

    The feature of this display is the BB 18 1/4 Class Steam Locomotive.

  • Tuckerbox Cafe

    Make sure you stop into the Tuckerbox Cafe for a coffee or a bite to eat!

The 2025 John Villiers Outback Art Prize Entries

Peoples Choice Award Voting and Children’s Art Project Gallery.

The John Villiers Outback Art Prize is an annual art competition open to all Australian artists and presented by the Outback Regional Gallery and Waltzing Matilda Centre Winton, Qld. Generously sponsored by The John Villiers Trust.

  • Major Sponsor - The John Villiers Trust

    Major Sponsor

    The John Villiers Outback Art Prize
    (generously sponsored by The John Villiers Trust)

  • Nat Ward 'Beautiful Scrubland'

    Nat Ward 'Beautiful Scrubland'

    Major Award Winner $10,000

  • Lyn Bartolo 'King of the Road'

    Lyn Bartolo 'King of the Road'

    Open Second Prize $2,500

  • Rachel Lucas 'Baked'

    Rachel Lucas 'Baked'

    Open Third Prize $500

  • Lewis Stafford 'Written in the Past'

    Lewis Stafford 'Written in the Past'

    Emerging Youth Winner $1,500

  • Georgia Barton 'Ebony's Bit'

    Georgia Barton 'Ebony's Bit'

    Emerging Youth Second $1,000

  • Dache Geiger 'Built By The Bush'

    Dache Geiger 'Built By The Bush'

    Emerging Youth Third $500

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled:
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

More than a song.

Winton's Waltzing Matilda Centre is not just...

World Class Museum

The first museum in the world dedicated to a song, the new Waltzing Matilda Centre boasts state of the art interpretation, telling the story of Waltzing Matilda.

Exhibition Space

Waltzing Matilda: A Song for Everyone. Bush Ballad. Unofficial Anthem. National Treasure. An exhibition that celebrates the song and the music of Waltzing Matilda. On display from February 2020.

Tuckerbox Cafe

Need a coffee break or a meal? The Tuckerbox Cafe serves up healthy, delicious, nutritional food daily. Available for catering.

Art Gallery

What a Life! Rock Photography by Tony Mott on Display until 29 June. Australia's premier rock photographer, Tony Mott has captured all aspects of the rock and roll lifestyle through his camera lens. An untrained photographer, he got his break with a photograph of Chrissy Amphlett, lead singer of the band Divinyls, and went on to become Australia’s leading rock photographer. Mott has had over 30,000 photographs published in 20 countries and his images have appeared on the covers of 500 CDs, 400 posters Australia's premier rock photographer.

An exhibition created by The State Library of New South Wales and gifted to the Waltzing Matilda Centre Collection by Tony Mott. Image: Elton John by Tony Mott (From the collection of The State Library New South Wales)

Qantilda Museum

These interactive displays tell the story and history of the Winton Shire, including the Great Shearers Strike of 1891, and the birth of QANTAS.

Award Winning Architecture

Exhibitions aside, the new Waltzing Matilda Centre is a sight to behold in itself. It was designed by award winning architects, Cox Architecture.

Admission Prices

An experience you will remember forever. No booking required—purchase your ticket upon arrival. For tours or large group bookings, please contact us. 

 

  • Adults
    $ 38.00

  • Includes :
  • Access to the interpretive display
  • Access to the Qantilda Museum
  • Access to the Exhibition Space
  • Access to the Art Gallery is free of charge.
  • Adults classed as 18 and over

  • Family Pass

    Best value

    $ 87.00

  • Includes :
  • Access to the interpretive display
  • Access to the Qantilda Museum
  • Access to the Exhibition Space
  • Access to the Art Gallery is free of charge.
  • The family pass includes up to 2 adults and 4 Children

  • Concession*

    $ 34.00

  • Includes :
  • Access to the interpretive display
  • Access to the Qantilda Museum
  • Access to the Exhibition Space
  • Access to the Art Gallery is free of charge.
  • *Concession card may be required

  • Children 5-11yrs

    $ 17.00

  • Includes :
  • Access to the interpretive display
  • Access to the Qantilda Museum
  • Access to the Exhibition Space
  • Access to the Art Gallery is free of charge.
  • Children between 12-17yrs are $22.00

From the ashes.

From the ashes of the fire on 18th June 2015, the Waltzing Matilda Centre has been reborn.

  • Fire Video

  • The Wreckage

    The fire completely destroyed the centre, with only a shell and ashes remaining.

  • Little could be saved

    Only a few small items could be recovered from the wreckage.

  • Demolition Begins

    After recovering as much as possible, the demolition crew began, reducing the site to a blank canvas.

  • The Timelapse

Stay a while mate!

While you are here why not stay another day and see what this beautiful part of Australia has to offer.

  • Australian Age of Dinosaurs

    Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History is home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils, including some of our most famous such as Australovenator (Banjo) and Diamantinasaurus (Matilda).

  • The Musical Fence

    Winton is home to world's first permanent musical fence installation in the world. Accompanied by a junkyard band, the Musical Fence is free and available for everyone to use.Go on, grab a stick and head on down to make some music at the world’s first and only Musical Fence!

  • Lark Quarry Dinosaur Stampede

    The Dinosaur Trackways at Lark Quarry are believed to be unique in the world in that they represent the most concentrated site and only definitive record of dinosaur stampede behaviour. The Trackways are also believed to date back to the Cretaceous Period, 95 million years ago.

  • Heritage Truck & Machinery Museum

    Take a trip into Transport History with a visit to Winton’s Heritage Truck and Machinery Museum. View fully-restored heritage trucks, tractors and machinery.

  • Willie Mar's Chinese Garden

    Willie Mar’s Fruit and Vegetable Shop and Market Garden was the longest operating Chinese market garden and shop left remaining on the edge of any Western Queensland town. Its presence serves as a reminder of the long association Chinese settlers had with the Central West and the significant contribution they made to the health of communities.

  • Corfield & Fitzmaurice

    This magnificent example of a general store is heritage listed by the National Trust. Opened by partners Corfield and Fitzmaurice in 1878, it was Winton's first general store, serving people of the township and pastoral properties until 1987.

Opening Hours

We are open all year round, only closing for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day, so make sure you add the Waltzing Matilda Centre to your Outback Experience bucketlist!

April - September

Open 7 days a week : 9am - 5pm
Public Holidays : 9am - 3pm

October - March

Monday to Friday : 9am - 5pm
Weekends / Public Holidays : 9am - 3pm

Annual Report 2023-2024

Support the Waltzing Matilda Centre

Waltzing Matilda Centre Ltd is a registered Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) and all donations to this organisation over $2.00 are tax deductible.

Please enquire about how to donate by contacting waltzing@matildacentre.com.au
or call 1300 665 115.

CONTACT INFORMATION

50 Elderslie Street WINTON, QLD, 4735

1300 665 115

waltzing@matildacentre.com.au

Proudly delivered by

 
Arterial
Show works
Winton shire council
Cox
Peak
Gabrielli
Rutledge av