ILFRACOMBE LYNN CAMERON MACHINERY MILE AND HERITAGE PRECINCT

Meandering Along the Machinery Mile

Explore one of this country’s finest collections of machinery and discover a treasure trove of insights into yesteryear along the Lynn Cameron Machinery Mile and Heritage Precinct in Ilfracombe.

The tiny outback town of Ilfracombe in central western Queensland punches well above its weight when it comes to the quality and number of its historical attractions. Its main street is literally lined with a mile of family-friendly and engaging exhibits, igniting your imagination and inviting your exploration.

Take a leisurely self-guided stroll past an impressive array of machinery showcasing the evolution of agricultural and industrial equipment over the years, which is now known as the Lynn Cameron Machinery Mile. And take a nostalgic journey back in time to a bygone era, as you explore a lovingly curated collection of artefacts and memorabilia housed within the Heritage Precinct.

This mostly outdoor museum was established by the Ilfracombe Historical Society in 1969, and was one of the first to be opened in western Queensland. These days it features a host of fascinating historic highlights, including horse-drawn machinery made well over a century ago, a folk museum, a glimpse into pioneering outback life at Oakhampton Cottage, and an eclectic collection of pieces from the past housed within the Jackson Collections of the precinct. This self-guided experience can be completed at your leisure, so feel free to embrace a slower pace as you immerse your senses in a step back in time.

Whether you’re a budding history buff, a machinery enthusiast, a keen collector or are simply looking for a fun and educational day out with the kids, Ilfracombe has it all within the one welcoming outback town.

Come and be surprised by the treasures you’ll unearth along the Lynn Cameron Machinery Mile and surrounding Heritage Precinct.

Machinery Mile Entry Exhibit

As you enter the Lynn Cameron Machinery Mile, you will find yourself surrounded by an impressive array of historic equipment, much of which has literally helped build and grow this local country community.

The Machinery Mile officially commences at the Longreach end of town, opposite the Police Station at Racecourse Road, and ends opposite the caravan park at Murray Street. However, as this a self-guided experience, you are welcome to wander your own path through the exhibits.

Some of the machines displayed here are very rare, and almost all the equipment has been sourced within a hundred-mile radius of the town, donated or loaned by locals and upkept by a band of tireless and passionate volunteer residents. The Machinery Mile is named in honour of Ilfracombe Historical Society’s Patron, Lynn Cameron, who is a second-generation local grazier, and who has had significant involvement with the society, as past President and Machinery Manager. Informational plaques on the machinery tell the tale of each piece of vintage equipment, including a brief description of each machine, and where available, it’s age, use, donor and other fascinating facts from its past.

This astounding collection includes almost 170 pieces of historic agricultural and industrial equipment, including graders, rollers, diggers and scoops, ploughs, balers, tractors and trucks. You’ll also encounter an intriguing collection of vintage workshop tools, engines, wagons and an enlightening assortment of railway, firefighting and military artefacts. While we can’t describe them all within this audio guide, here’s a few highlights to whet your appetite.

Some Machinery Mile Highlights

In the same block as the Police Station, you’ll find the 12-tonne Stuart Tank, which has been cleverly re-engineered into a dozer for peacetime use. Following World War II, Army Disposals sold these tanks, including a spare engine and set of tracks, at auction for five pounds each. A company at Katoomba modified them by removing the turrets and replacing them with dozer blades.

Almost opposite the Wellshot Centre and just before the McMaster Machinery Shed, you’ll discover a grand 1917 Ruston Proctor Tractor, with its large iron wheels and robust body. Alongside it sits the hulking metal mass of the Steam Devil - a large excavator driven by a three horse-powered steam engine. Built in 1880 and sold in 1882, this intriguing machine is believed to be the only one its kind remaining in the world. The excavator, with its towering frame and intricate steam pipes, exudes a commanding sense of industrial power.

Wellshot Centre

On the opposite side of Lynn Cameron Machinery Mile, in the first block just past the Police Station and primary school, you’ll come to the Wellshot Centre, where the legacy of one of Australia’s greatest sheep stations comes to life.

Here, visitors are invited to unravel the remarkable history of Wellshot Station, delving right back to its early settlement in 1872. Here you can experience the 20-minute screening of an evocative film titled "A Rush for Grass". This gripping narrative chronicles the trials and triumphs of early pioneers, detailing how they lived and worked the land, as they navigated the many challenges of early life on Wellshot Station. This film captures the essence of resilience and determination that defined the pioneering spirit of the era and serves as a moving testament to the fortitude of the station’s early inhabitants.

In the grounds of the Wellshot Centre, you can also visit an authentic shepherd's hut, a humble abode that served as a refuge for those tending to the flock on the vast expanse of this great sheep property. Fun Fact: Wellshot Station gained a world record in 1892 for shearing the largest number of sheep off the same property in one season – 425,000 sheep! With such massive flocks to tend to, it’s a wonder the shepherds ever found time to visit their huts!

Other key attractions here include the town’s original Jail Cell, which was built in 1901 and used for over 70 years. The walls of this relic are steeped in history and echo with local stories of defiance and redemption.

Jackson Collections

Opposite the Wellshot Centre, the Jackson Collection pays tribute to brothers Hilton and Ike Jackson, whose passion for collecting will astound you. The spacious and well-lit gallery meticulously displays an eclectic assortment of items mostly housed in glass cabinets.

Hilton’s bottle collection, one of the largest in Australia with over 30,000 bottles, showcases the evolution of glassmaking and beverage containers. The second eldest in a family of eight, Hilton was a jack of many trades who carved out a living around the Longreach area before relocating to Ilfracombe in 1989. Hilton began collecting in 1968, at the age of 42, and amassed a vast range of items over the ensuing years. His collection also includes items such as hubcaps, rabbit traps, scissors and buttons.

Ike, the youngest of the Jackson brothers by nine years, discovered his passion for collecting at a much earlier age. He acquired his first rifle at the age of 12, and steadily built up his firearm collection as he worked around the country. Ike’s collection of over 120 firearms includes rare pieces from various wars, such as a Japanese Nambu submachine gun. The collection also features an array of war memorabilia, including uniforms, helmets, and flags from both World Wars.

Folk Museum, Oakhampton Cottage & Romani Hall

Ilfracombe’s engaging Heritage Precinct beckons visitors on a stroll back in time to discover insights into what life was like in the region’s early days.

The Heritage Precinct is located in the middle of the Machinery Mile. It comprises several buildings of historical significance, including the Folk Museum, Oakhampton Cottage and Romani Hall within its grounds.

The Folk Museum is housed within a replica of an early station residence, reflecting the traditional architecture of the region and exuding rustic charm. It showcases displays on three distinct themes: ‘Women at Work’, ‘Women in Communication’ and ‘Children’, offering comprehensive insights into the daily lives of generations past. The Women at Work exhibit explores the roles and contributions of women in various spheres of labour, shedding light on their resilience and resourcefulness. ‘Women in Communication’ delves into the evolution of communication tools, from handwritten letters to telegraph machines, showcasing the interconnectedness of communities despite geographical barriers. The children’s exhibit invites you to step into a world of innocence and playfulness, where toys and trinkets from bygone eras stir fond memories and spark curiosity, evoking feelings of nostalgia for many of our more senior guests who may recall having played with such items in their own childhood.

Displays brim with hundreds of artifacts that once played pivotal roles in everyday life. Among the highlights is a special stove, a marvel of its time, capable of heating eight irons simultaneously, a testament to the ingenuity of earlier generations. There’s also a fascinating local fossil collection on display here.

At nearby Oakhampton Cottage, immerse yourself in early outback household life amidst six meticulously recreated rooms furnished with authentic period furniture and artifacts.

Also within the precinct, Romani Hall pays homage to the bravery and sacrifice of the district's young men who answered, 'the call to arms,' immortalized in the memorial dedicated to Australia's Light Horsemen.

Accessibility

The tiny country town of Ilfracombe is located 27 kilometres (or about a 20-minute drive) east of Longreach in the central Queensland outback. Due to its remoteness and small size, there is no public transport available to or within Ilfracombe itself.

The Lynn Cameron Machinery Mile (and other key attractions mentioned in this audio guide) line both sides of the Landsborough Highway which become Main Avenue and the main thoroughfare through town. They are all within relatively easy walking distance of each other. Street parking is readily available nearby.

Outback Aussie Tours and Golden West Tours both offer tour itineraries which incorporate a visit to the Lynn Cameron Machinery Mile at Ilfracombe, and lunch at the local Wellshot Hotel. For further details please contact these tour operators directly.

This experience is all on one level and deemed to be wheelchair accessible. Accessible bathrooms are available at the park about halfway along the Machinery Mile, Ilfracombe Memorial Park and the Wellshot Hotel directly across the street. Standard toilets are also available at the Wellshot Centre.

Service dogs are welcome to accompany you on this self-guided experience. The Machinery Mile is an outdoor experience surrounded by plenty of parks and gardens, so there’s no shortage of spots to take care of their toileting needs.