WWI Memorial Journey - Great Western Circuit Warwick, Toowoomba, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Stanthorpe 6 Days – 1767 Kilometres The Great Western Circuit explores the Southern Queensland country region including the Darling Downs before heading west into Southern Outback Queensland and the Channel Country. Initially the Great Western Circuit between Warwick and Toowoomba follows the trail of the only ‘snowball’ recruitment march in Queensland. The march of the ‘Dungarees’, as they called themselves, began in Warwick in November 1915. Its purpose was to gather volunteers along the way in order to strengthen troop numbers and to foster patriotism within the Empire. The ‘Dungarees’ passed the Boer War soldier memorial in Allora. It may have inspired the young men of the district to continue that tradition of war service. The following day, the unveiling of the first memorial to an individual soldier in the Nobby Cemetery was a sobering reminder of the perils of war. The remainder of this War Memorials Journey travels west from Toowoomba via Goombungee, Cooyar, Dalby, Chinchilla, Roma and Mitchell to Charleville, south to Cunnamulla and then east again through St George, Nindigully, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe and back to Warwick. 2 Warwick to Toowoomba Toowoomba to Dalby (via Goombungee 1 Hr 27 Mins / 101 Kilometres and Cooyar) The Warwick Memorial Gates mark the start of 2 Hrs 11 Mins / 167 Kilometres the ‘Dungarees’ March on 16 November 1915. Travel west from Toowoomba on the Dalby Road and turn right at Kingsthorpe to head to The journey to Toowoomba passes by the Goombungee where a soldier statue memorial historic Glengallan homestead and through is situated in the main street. Continue north grazing country to Allora’s Boer War memorial. through Haden until you reach the New It was the first soldier statue in Queensland, England Highway and turn left towards Cooyar. unveiled in 1904. In 1905 Allora was the home Its soldier statue is located in Hack Meakins of Helen Lyndon Goff (Pamela Travers) Park in McDougall Street. The Palms National - author of Mary Poppins - ask a local for Park is a short eight kilometre drive north-west directions to her house! of Cooyar. Travelling north to Nobby, you will find the Take the road south west of Cooyar towards first Queensland monument dedicated to an Dalby, travelling along the black soil plains. individual soldier, unveiled by the ‘Dungarees’ Dalby, a town laid out in 1852, was once the on 18 November 1915. It memorialises local centre for graziers. Today, the extraction of stockman 20-year-old Private Victor Denton, coal seam gas is a key industry, along with killed at Gallipoli in June. cotton. Dalby’s War Memorial is unusual, in that the soldier is one of only two in bronze To the north Greenmount has a soldier statue, found in Queensland. It was cast in a foundry as does Westbrook, closer to Toowoomba. in London, and mounted on a locally-made sandstone plinth. The memorial gates mark Toowoomba is the gateway to the Darling the entrance to the park in which the soldier Downs and is known as the garden city. It stands, and to the rear of the park is the Dalby is Queensland’s largest inland city. Visit the Pool, the oldest known Olympic sized pool in honour roll memorial at the railway station and Queensland, built 1936. enjoy refreshments in the restaurant. Stay overnight in Dalby. There is an option to The intersection of Ruthven and Margaret visit Jimbour House and participate in the Streets, Toowoomba was the site of a rally living history walk. during the ‘Dungarees’ march, before they departed for Brisbane. This intersection later became the site of the Toowoomba Mother’s Memorial, relocated to East Creek Park in 1985. 3 Dalby to Roma (via Chinchilla) Roma to Charleville (via Mitchell) 3 Hrs 3 Mins / 270 Kilometres 3 Hrs 2 Mins / 267 Kilometres Travel west on the Warrego Highway to Warra Continuing west from Roma, the road follows and visit the impressive copper honour board the ‘Westlander’ railway line to Charleville. outside the memorial hall on the highway, Travel through the smaller settlements of before travelling on to Chinchilla. The town’s Muckadilla, which has a WWII memorial on soldier statue is situated outside the RSL Hall the roadside, and Amby, to Mitchell. Here you in Heeney Street. The White Gums Gallery and can relax in the mineral springs before visiting the Chinchilla Cultural Centre are just up the the Mitchell Memorial Park. The war memorial road. here commemorates the 51 locals who served in WWI. Drive 45 kilometres west to the From Chinchilla, continue west to Miles. The former Cobb and Co station of Mungallala. Dogwood Crossing Cultural Centre and the Miles Historical Village are a must-see! A WWI Another 45 kilometres west of Mungallala is memorial to an individual soldier, Wallace ‘Lad- Morven which has a sandstone war memorial die’ Lawton, is situated within the historical in the main street commemorating both world village. He was only 18 when he joined up and wars. contracted malaria in the Middle East, dying the year after he returned home. Continue to travel west for 90 kilometres on the Warrego Highway to Charleville. Travel further west through the small towns of Dulacca, Jackson, Yuleba and Wallumbilla to The Charleville War Memorial is located on Roma, where the new Cultural Centre houses Wills Street and lists 310 locals who signed up Roma’s honour board. Another memorial is and the 40 who died in WWI. Visit the located in the adjacent park in Bungil Street, Historical House Museum in the beautiful 1888 flanked by Gallipoli Pines. A Heroes Avenue of National Bank building in Alfred Street. Further 93 bottle trees from here to Wyndham Street information on heritage sites in town is is a living tribute to 93 fallen soldiers. available at the Tourism Office. Be sure to visit Romavilla, the oldest winery in Queensland, a kilometre north of the Cultural Centre. Stay overnight in Roma at one of the excellent motels or tourist parks. 4 Charleville to Cunnamulla 2 Hrs 15 Mins / 200 Kilometres Whilst spending a night or two in Charleville, consider taking the self-guided heritage tour, or visit the Cosmos Centre or the bilby breeding program before heading to Cunnamulla. Travel south from Charleville on the Mitchell Highway to Wyandra. It has a soldier statue memorial on the corner of Mack and Warrego Streets. Enjoy some refreshments at the Gladstone Hotel and visit the museum in the old powerhouse and take a heritage tour of the town. Another hour to the south is the town of Cunnamulla, where a particularly flamboyant fountain memorial is located at the five-ways in the town centre. This was collaboratively installed by the Paroo Shire Council and the Diggers Racing Club in time for the race meeting of 11 November 1926, before its formal unveiling on ANZAC Day 1927. The racing club continues to hold an annual ANZAC racing carnival. Enjoy a ramble on one of the walking trails along the Warrego River. Linger overnight enjoying the outback hospitality at one of the local hotels, motels or the riverside tourist park, or choose to drive on to St George. Cunnamulla to St George 3 Hrs 22 Mins / 293 Kilometres The Balonne Highway will take you on to St Pavilion at the hospital which commemorates George. Stop at the small town of Balonne for the war service of local service personnel from a refreshment break and visit its war memorial all conflicts. There is also a cenotaph on the in the main street. The heritage centre riverbank on St George’s Terrace. provides an insight into life dependent on artesian bores. Participate in the Nullawokka Visit the tourism office and pick up a copy of Aboriginal bush tucker tour. the St George Heritage Trail. Perhaps try a spot of fishing in the river, visit the Riversands The town of St George, located on the Winery or the Unique Egg Gallery in Victoria Balonne River is like an oasis, with cooling Street, where an amazing collection of carved breezes from the river. Visit the numerous emu eggs is displayed. Consider a round of memorials in town including the Memorial golf before relaxing at one of the many hotels or motels for the night. 5 St George to Stanthorpe (via Nindigully Stanthorpe to Warwick and Goondiwindi) 50 Mins / 3 Kilometres 5 Hrs 24 Mins / 402 Kilometres The Stanthorpe War Memorial on a hill above Take the Carnarvon Highway south east from Locke Street was designed to evoke the St George past the cotton plantations, until essence of Gallipoli. Further reminders of WWI you reach the intersection with the Barwon may be found in the remnants of the Highway. A short drive to the Nindigully Pub is post-war soldier settlements north of a worthwhile detour. It claims to be the oldest Stanthorpe, named after towns where soldiers licensed hotel in Queensland, holding a liquor fought in France and Belgium such as Poziers license from 1864, when the pub evolved from and Amiens, linked by Baupaume Road and shearer’s quarters. skirting the Passchendaele forest. Follow the Barwon Highway to Goondiwindi, Visitors may choose to detour via Amiens and passing through Talwood and Toobeah. Poziers Roads which adds around 35 minutes to the journey, but takes in more wineries and Goondiwindi is a major regional business orchards. centre located on the McIntyre River at the junction of the Cunningham, Newell, Bruxner, Travelling towards Warwick beside the rail Barwon and Leichhardt highways. The river corridor, the old cold store buildings at the rail marks the border with New South Wales and stations are reminders of the importance of the old customs house is now occupied by the the fruit industry to the region.