Hughenden, QLD

Hughenden had an awesome free camp available to its visitors. It was a little on the dusty side, but we are in the outback after all.

Maddie and Ari were particularly excited because they made a friend. We bumped into another family, travelling from Tasmania with their little girl Ella who was 7. In the short time we were in Hughenden, the kids really enjoyed playing together.

It was Ella’s mum, Julie, who told us about a travelling performance, that was being held in town, called “Whalebone”, by Jens Altheimer. It was the most fun, thought provoking and engaging, community theatre production, we couldn’t believe our luck that it was on at the same time we were in town..

Maddie with her new little buddy Ella, her family are from Tasmania. We watch the show "Whalebone" together.

We joined the local catholic school in watching the performance.

afterwards, we got to chat briefly to Jens to find out more about the play. It was through this conversation that Hannah and I were prompted to learn more about the Berlin Wall.

The kids getting ready for the performance - Whalebone

We started researching more about it when we got home and continued to learn through an audiobook story about 2 girls who had a first hand experience with living during this time. It was called “The Wall’s Between Us” We both really enjoyed it and was definitely a different genre to what Hannah and I usually listen too.

It was great to meet Jens at the end of the show.

Back to Dinosaurs. The Hughenden Discovery Centre was included on our Dino Trail ticket, although I would say you get a lot more for your money because as well as the dinosaur part of the centre, they also have a fantastic modern interactive exhibit on the town itself. everything from the Rodeo history, Cattle and sheep Farming, Mining, even the weather. You will not leave here without having a complete understanding about this outback town and the people who make it amazing.

Micah watching one of the video exhibits. If my memory serves me, he was, learning all about sheep farming and the shearers strike which initiated the start of the Labor party.

My gem obsessed kids loved looking at these thunder eggs in this display

What I particularly LOVED about it was how interactive it was for kids. I had a joke with the lady at the counter. She said, most people take about 45 minutes to complete the whole museum, I said we will see you in 3 hours. I was spot on. We don’t rush when it comes to museums and our learning. Plus we are not on a tight schedule because this isn’t a “holiday” for us, this is our lifestyle, so I always follow the kids lead, and they always take their time, they always double back to exhibits and they always come up with an imagination game.

Maddie learning about the history of farming and sheep shearing in the district

The kids enjoyed digging for gems in the interactive sand exhibit. They played here for ages.

Hughenden Discovery centre had loads of learning opportunities and also loads of interactive displays and toys for the kids. Definitely one not to be missed if you have kids and you are in the area.

The kids and I checked out the local playground, which was modern and located just a short walk from the free camp. It is shaded and next to the lake. There is apparently a resident fresh water crocodile called “Hughy” however we didn't see him unfortunately.

Hannah learning about insects in this display which had puppets to make it more interactive and engaging for kids. behind her you can see the play area for kids which had a space for them to use stencils to create their own unique dinosaur.

From Hughenden we wanted to head out to Porcupine Gorge, however it wasn’t meant to be, because we couldn’t get in (you need to book) we were a little disappointed because it looked like it would be amazing… we said next time we are in the area, we will get there. So onto Richmond for us, to check out the 4th and final Dinosaur exhibit in our Dino trail. Can’t wait!

a great shaded playground for the kids, and benches for parents :)