Chinchilla, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ChinchillaQueensland |
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Footpath on the main street of Chinchilla
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 Chinchilla
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 7,068 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 97.89/km2 (253.5/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1877 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4413 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 303 m (994 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 72.2 km2 (27.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Western Downs Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Callide | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Chinchilla is a country town in the Western Downs Region of Queensland, Australia. It is famous as the 'Melon Capital of Australia'. Every two years in February, Chinchilla hosts a fun Melon Festival.
In 2021, about 7,068 people lived in Chinchilla.
Contents
Where is Chinchilla?
Chinchilla is located in Queensland, Australia. It is about 300 kilometres (186 miles) west-northwest of Brisbane. The town is also 164 kilometres (102 miles) west-northwest of Toowoomba. You can find it on the Warrego Highway.
Chinchilla's Story
First People of the Land
For thousands of years, the Baranggum people lived in the Chinchilla area. They spoke the Barunggam language, which is no longer used today. The name "Chinchilla" might come from an Aboriginal word. It could be "tintinchilla" or "jinchilla," meaning cypress pine. Explorer Ludwig Leichhardt may have recorded this word.
Early European Settlement
European explorers first came to this region in the 1840s. Ludwig Leichhardt explored here in 1844. He named Charleys Creek after Charley Fisher, a Wiradjuri man who was part of his group. The town of Chinchilla is built along Charleys Creek.
In 1847, Matthew Buscall Goggs claimed a large area of land. He called his property Chinchilla. The town of Chinchilla officially started in 1877. This happened when the Western railway line was being built. A temporary camp for railway workers grew into the town we know today.
The Chinchilla Post Office opened its doors on January 3, 1878.
Schools and Community Growth
Chinchilla State School opened on January 22, 1883. It later added a high school section. In 1963, Chinchilla State High School opened as a separate school.
St Joseph's Catholic School started on January 29, 1923. It was opened by Archbishop James Duhig. Three Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart taught the first 63 students.
A special tramway was built in 1911. It went from Chinchilla to Wongongera (now Barakula). This tramway helped transport wood for railway sleepers. It operated until 1970.
The Chinchilla War Memorial was first shown to the public in 1919. It honors those who served in wars. It was moved and updated in 1977.
Chinchilla played a big part in getting rid of the prickly pear plant. This plant was a huge problem in Australia. Scientists released Cactoblastis cactorum moths in 1926. These moths ate the prickly pears. By 1933, most of the land was clear!
Chinchilla Christian School opened in 1983. It is now called Chinchilla Christian College.
In 2018, Chinchilla won a competition by Wotif. They built the Big Melon, an 8-meter (26-foot) long statue. It is a fun tourist attraction near the information centre.
What Chinchilla is Known For
Local Economy
Farming is very important to Chinchilla. People raise beef and pork, grow wool, and farm fruits and vegetables. Recently, the town has also grown because of energy projects. The Kogan Creek Power Station and other coal and gas projects bring jobs and money to the area.
The Western Downs Green Power Hub is a large solar farm project. It started being built near Chinchilla in 2020. When it is finished, it will be one of Australia's biggest solar farms.
Education in Chinchilla
Chinchilla has several schools for young people:
- Chinchilla State School: This is a government primary school for students from early childhood to Year 6.
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School: This is a Catholic primary school for students from Prep to Year 6.
- Chinchilla Christian College: This is a private school for students from Prep to Year 12.
- Chinchilla State High School: This is a government secondary school for students from Year 7 to Year 12.
The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE also has a branch here. It helps students learn skills for jobs. Leichhardt House is a hostel that offers a place to stay for students from far-away areas.
Health and Community Facilities
Chinchilla has its own hospital with an emergency ward. It also has other health services like physiotherapy and mental health support. There are also private dentists and general practitioners (GPs) in town.
The Chinchilla Cultural Centre is a great place for events. It has a large auditorium, a cinema, and an art gallery. The White Gums Art Gallery shows new art displays every month. The Western Downs Regional Council runs a public library in Chinchilla.
The Chinchilla Botanic Parkland is a beautiful green space. It even won an international award in 2022/2023!
Sports and Recreation
Chinchilla has many sports facilities. The Chinchilla Aquatic Centre has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The Chinchilla Family Sports Centre offers many different sports. You can find clubs for soccer, touch football, rugby league, cricket, and tennis. There are also places for motocross, gymnastics, and lawn bowls. If you like fishing, there's a fishing club. There's also a Pony Club and a shooting range.
Local Media
Chinchilla has local radio stations, Rebel FM 97.1 and The Breeze 95.5 FM. The local newspaper is the Chinchilla News and Murilla Advertiser. It is now published online.
Fun Things to Do
Chinchilla is on the Warrego Highway, a popular route for tourists. Many visitors enjoy the Historical Museum. You can also go fossicking for petrified wood. "Chinchilla Red" petrified wood is special to this area. It is known for its unique color and quality. The Chinchilla White Gum tree (Eucalyptus argophloia) also only grows here. You can see it on local tourist drives.
There is a Visitor Information Center on the highway to help tourists.
Events to Enjoy
Chinchilla Melon Festival
Chinchilla grows a lot of Australia's melons, like watermelon, rockmelon, and honeydew. The first Chinchilla Melon Festival was held in 1994. It was started by local people to cheer up the town after a bad drought. About 2,500 people came to the first festival. By 2011, around 10,000 visitors came on the main day!
The Melon Festival is famous for its unique and fun events:
- Melon Skiing: Skiing on melons!
- Melon Bungee: Bungee jumping with melons.
- Melon Bullseye: Hitting a target with melons.
- Melon Ironman: A tough melon-themed race.
- Melon Chariot: Racing in chariots pulled by melons.
- Pip Spitting Competition: See who can spit a melon seed the farthest.
- Melon Eating Races: Eating melons as fast as you can.
In 2009, John Allwood set a Guinness World Record at the festival. He smashed 47 watermelons with his head in one minute!
Getting Around
Chinchilla is connected to Brisbane, Toowoomba, and Roma by the Warrego Highway.
Greyhound Australia runs bus services to and from Chinchilla. The Westlander train also passes through Chinchilla twice a week. It travels between Brisbane and Charleville.
Since Chinchilla is a smaller town, there is no public bus system. However, you can use a taxi.
Famous People from Chinchilla
- John Gleeson: A rugby league player who captained Queensland.
- David Littleproud: A politician who leads the National Party.
- Pete Murray: An Australian folk/country singer who grew up here.
- Nathan Reardon: A cricketer.
- Ben Ross: A rugby league player.
Images for kids
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Grade 2 class photograph, Chinchilla State School, 1949
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View from the railway overpass
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Main street memorial clock erected in 1971 to commemorate John Dorney's nineteen years' service (1949 - 1968) as Chinchilla Shire Chairman.
See also
In Spanish: Chinchilla (Australia) para niños
