Chinchilla

Just over three hours drive from Brisbane along the Warrego Highway, you will come across the friendly town of Chinchilla.

Chinchilla is known as the 'Melon Capital' of Australia and biennially the fun and amusing Melon Festival is held in town. In fact 25 per cent of Australia's total watermelon crop is produced here.

Chinchilla has many sporting clubs, facilities and fishing spots, with Chinchilla Weir a great venue for water sports.

The name Chinchilla is believed to be derived from the Aboriginal word for cypress pine: 'Jinchilla'. The town itself is still noted for its supply of cypress pine, a termite resistant building material.

A monument erected in explorer Ludwig Leichhardt's honour can be seen in the Pioneer Cemetery on the highway through town.

Chinchilla is renowned for the quality of its petrified wood, known as 'Chinchilla Red'. Make your way to the Tourist Information Centre for a fossicking licence.