About The Shire

Chinchilla Shire, on the north-west edge of the Darling Downs, comprises an area
of 8700 square metres. This small, but thriving communiy has progressed from a rural based economy reliant mainly on grain crops to the progressive, dynamic region where coal and gas exploration and power development projects go hand-in-hand with extensive feedIots, cotton and broad-acre farming.

CurrentIy the population of the shire is just under 7000, with 3800 people in the
town of Chinchilla.

"Jinchilla" is the aboriginal name for the wonderfully smelling termite resistant Cypress Pine. This area is renowned for the endemic Chinchilla White Gum and the rare Hando's WattIe. The ever popular Bottle Tree with its swollen girth that can grow over 13 metres, can be found mostly to the west of ChinchilIa.

Chinchilla

Chinchilla is the main town and administrative centre of the shire. Chinchilla's main street, Heeney Street, is accessed from the Warrego Highway by an overpass over the railway
line or via Glasson street (coming in from the east).The pride of this street is the Chinchilla Cultural Centre, which boasts the inbuilt cinema, the White Gums Gallery and Library. The delightful Fullers PIace and the shady camphor laurel trees further enhance this pleasant street. ChinchilIa maintains strong links to the past with interesting hiscoricaI buildings such as the Court House and the Chinchilla Historical museum.

Located on Warrego Highway, the Visitor Information Centre, a distinctive, stylish building made from Cypress Pine, provides further information on things to see and do locaIly. There is ample room for parking for cars, coaches and carvans adjacent fo the Centre. A detailed map of Chinchilla is available from the Visitor Information Centre.

Location

Road:
Chinchilla is situated on the crossroads of the Warrego Highway, and arterial roads that run southward and eastward and connect with major highways. The Bunya Mountains are within an easy two hours drive. As Chinchilla is approximately 3.5 hours drive west from Brisbane, it is an ideal place to overnight or stop and rest a while when travelling to Carnarvon Gorge and other outback destinations.

Driving Distances from Chinchilla:

Transport:

Air:
Chinchilla has an alI-weather fully sealed strip, a grass strip and a modern terminal with amenities.

Rail: Westander times
Travelling Westward: arrives / departs at 2.37 am on VVednesdays and Fridays.
Travelling eastward: arrives / departs at 3.20am on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Coach: Greyhound Australia
Travelling Westward: arrives / departs at 12:15pm, 9:50am daily *
Travelling Eastward: arrives / departs at 4:20am, 2:20pm daily *
* Non-daily coach services also operate.

Other Towns of Chinchilla Shire

BrigaIow, 20 kilometres east of Chinchilla on the Warrego highway, features strongly on Tourist Drive 7. This town is the hub to a number of attractions, with the Lutheran Cemetary, Boonarga Cactoblastis Hall and the Kogan Creek Power Station all within 10 minutes drive.

Kogan, situated on the Condamine Highway, is 47 kilometres southeast of Chinchilla, and 52 kilometres to the west of Dalby. Visit the towns historical Kogan HoteI, where Hugh Sawrey originally painted his renowned mural on the walIs.

Climate

The ChinchilIa Shire experiences plenty of sunshine, and hats, sunscreen and drinking water are recommended all year round. Warm clothes are a necessity for the Winter nights, when the
temperature can get coId. Listed beIow are the average mean temperatures for Chinchilla: