Winton (population less than 1,000) is a small town with a big history. So big that it deserves its own post – think indigenous history, frontier violence, shearing disputes, Waltzing Matilda, incredible prehistoric finds, aviation history, and Native Title cases.
In the meantime, here’s a look at Winton in the early days.
Winton and its countryside.
Balcomba homestead, c 1900.Shearing team working at the Vindex Station woolshed, c 1895.Burke’s Tank located on the Winton to Hughenden Road, ca. 1898 (Information supplied with photograph: Australian drover a South Sea Islander, known as Kanaka Jimmy, is sitting on the horse Merioolas who won the Sydney Cup 1898. The drover returned to the islands after forty years working for Tom Elliott of Dagworth Station.)Floods in Winton during the 1890s.
Meet some locals.
Group of gentlemen enjoying a drink at Winton, c 1895. Some rather more than others.Local residents of Winton, c 1910. including from left to right in the back row : Ernie ‘Ags’ Cameron and Jack Mather ; and left to right in the front row : Tom Kingdon, Joe Kingston (with hat on shoe) and Bert O’Neil. Hang on – there was a Bert and an Ernie!?
Winton’s transport – the traditional approach.
Cobb and Co. Coach outside Corfield and Fitzmaurice General Store, Winton, c 1890. The store is still there.Mail coach outside the old Post and Telegraph Office at Winton, 1909.
Winton’s rather unique approach to automobile transport.
Early Fiat truck loaded with wool bales, south of Winton, Queensland, c 1915. Who needs bullock-trains?Winton-Longreach Mail Service delivered in an overloaded Hudson tourer, c. 1920. That’s the outback spirit! Pre-Workplace Health and Safety, though.Draughthorse towing a Talbot motor car, c. 1908. Well, that gives a whole new meaning to horsepower.
All images are from the digital collection of the State Library of Queensland, and are out of copyright. AI colourisation by Copilot.
Moreton Bay and More 