Australia So Much to See
South Western Queensland - Thallon
The first (and only to date) painted silos in Queensland were officially opened on 20th July 2017. A friend sent me the news, and as we were in the region, we included Thallon in our tour, arriving five days later.
The Thallon Progress Association
came up with the idea some two years prior, when this small rural town was feeling the effects of drought years. The town has
a population of less than 300 people.
Thallon is surrounded by prime grain growing country. In the 2012-2013 harvest Thallon
recorded the second largest grain intake in Queensland, behind Goondiwindi. Wheat, cotton and chickpeas are the main crops grown in
the Thallon area. The Thallon silo complex, which is on the rail line to Dirranbandi, is one of the largest delivery sites in Queensland.
Some cotton is also grown, irrigated with water drawn from the Moonie River.
The design titled “The Watering Hole’ was developed by the Artists Joel Fergie (The Zookeeper) and Travis Vinson (Drapl) in consultation
with the Thallon Community. The striking image takes inspiration from the works of three local photographers. Chantel Mcalister’s
“First Light”, The Moonie River by Lila Brosnan and Gary Petrie’s (Pom’s) shot of two pale faced rosellas.
Not far from the silos, free camping is available at the Thallon Recreational Grounds. There are toilets and hot showers, with
a dump point behind the amenities. Unpowered camping is free, and powered sites are only $5.50 per night. These have taps with town
(Artesian) water supply, concrete slabs and fire pits. Amenities are locked at night. Keys are available by phoning Thallon’s
Town Officer on 0427 259 095, or from the Francis Hotel where payment is made for powered sites.
Call into the Francis Hotel
for a friendly welcome. People you will meet in this small town are welcoming and happy to talk to you.
The land along the Moonie River in what is now the Thallon district was already occupied by cattle stations when Sir Major Thomas
Mitchell passed through it in 1846. Thallon townsite was gazetted in 1911. Stores opened and a hotel was built to cater for the employees
of the railway line which had arrived from Talwood. The town was named after the then Commissioner of Railways Mr J F Thallon. Borger's
Thallon Hotel opened for business in November 1911 but was destroyed in a fire 1940. The present two storey hotel was built
on the site.
We left Thallon via the Noondoo Road, crossing the murky Moonie River via the Old Bullamon Bridge. Bullamon was the name of a once huge station which included the present townsite area. The water in the Moonie River is naturally turbid. Because flows are slow, find clay sediment particles remain suspended in the water. The Moonie River only flows for around three months of the year.
The Moonie River from either side of the bridge below.
But prior to departing Thallon, we continued on to Mungindi, a town divided by the Queensland – New South Wales border, before returning
and spending a second night in Thallon. We were advised while in Mungindi that via Thallon was the best road to Dirranbandi. More about Mungindi to follow.
Sources