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 History“Windorah” is the Aboriginal word meaning Big Fish. It is one of three towns in the Barcoo Shire. This shire covers an area of 60,901 sq. kilometers. Windorah lies 35km below where the Thomson and Barcoo rivers join to form the multi-channeled Coopers Creek. Windorah started when the Whitman brothers were caught in an 1870’s flood on a stony point, and after selling their goods decided it would be a good place for a store. It wasn’t until 1880 that Windorah was gazetted as a township and the name changed from Stony Point to Windorah. One of the first hotels, the ‘Western Star’ was built in 1878. This building burnt down in 1957 and a temporary structure built. This building is still being used as the bar today. The Outback Shop building was built in the mid 1880’s by Whitman Brothers. The Slab Hut was the last of its kind in the area built in 1906 and was used by the Rabbit Board on Whitula Creek 40km west of the town. The Post Office was established in 1881 with Mr. G. J. Fitzwalter as postmaster. The Police Station was also established in the same year and manned by Senior Constable Parter. Sheep and cattle grazing have always been the chief industries of the district, with oil, gas and tourism growing each year. Cooper’s Creek was named by Charles Sturt in 1845 who named it after his friend Charles Cooper, the first Chief Justice of South Australia. The Cooper splits and subdivides itself into a sprawling tangle of creeks and gullies that has come to be known as the Channel Country. |
In time of flooding the creeks entanglement of channels meanders its way down stream, and can reach lake Eyre, although this only happens on average once in every six years.
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Email Us Copyright 2006 Windorah Development Board Queensland. |