Waltzing Matilda Centre - Home page

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Now Open

The Centre has reopened with a COVID-19 safe plan in place.

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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.

John Villiers Outback Art Prize

  • Winton Boulder Opal

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

  • QLD Tourism Award

    The Waltzing Matilda Centre is the 2018 Queensland Tourism Award Winner for Best New Tourism Business.

  • QLD Tourism

    The Waltzing Matilda Centre is an Accredited Business recognised by QLD Tourism.

  • The Billabong

    The new Interpretive Billabong display

  • Visitor Information

    The Waltzing Matilda Centre contains an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

  • Chorregon Railway

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

  • Waltzing Matilda

    A song for Everyone.

  • Lightning Without Flash

    Until 28th July

  • Tuckerbox Cafe

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

  • Main Exhibition

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

  • John Villiers Outback Art Prize

    Entries Close 10th Jan 2022

The John Villiers Outback Art Prize

Enter Here!

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.
 

  • John Villiers Trust

    Major Sponsor

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

  • Midday in the Desert Gorge

    Lyn Laver Ahmat

    Major Award Winner $10,000

  • Core of My Heart My Country

    Peta Smith

    Adult Second Prize $2000

  • Just Out of Alice 123

    Amanda Fuller

    Adult Third Prize $500

  • Dry Grass

    Bailey Donovan

    Emerging Youth Winner $1500

  • Things Not Seen

    Isabel Nutter

    Emerging Youth Second Prize $1000

  • My Special Place

    Ellie Hobl

    Emerging Youth Third Prize $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.

Fine Eatery

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

Art Gallery

Lightning Without Flash is a solo exhibition by documentary photographer Joe Ruckli which seeks to unearth the idiosyncratic qualities of Lightning Ridge, a rural mining town in Northern NSW famous for its large deposits of Black Opal. On display until 28th July.

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. Please contact us for tour or large group bookings.

  • Adults
    $ 32

  • 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

    $ 67

  • 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*

    $ 29

  • 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

    $ 12

  • 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 $17

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.

Come say G'day!

Meet our extraordinary team. Want to join the team? Look for vacant positions below!

  • Jenny Elliot

    Centre Coordinator

  • Karen Stephens

    Exhibitions Coordinator

  • Cheryl Jesberg

    Visitor Experience Officer

  • Jacey Stanley

    Visitor Experience Officer

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

50 Elderslie Street WINTON, QLD, 4735

1300 665 115

waltzing@matildacentre.com.au

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