Wandoan, Queensland

Wandoan is a small town in Queensland, Australia, located on the Leichardt Highway about halfway between Taroom and Miles. Its local government is the Taroom shire Council for which it is the centre for the local cattle industries.

The current population is estimated at 432.cite web|url=http://education.qld.gov.au/wcis/BusinessCentre/ViewBusinessCentreAndServ.aspx?BsnCtrCd=WANDOA|title=Schools Directory - Business Centre - Services|work=Queensland Government Department of Education, Training and the Arts|author=The State of Queensland (Department of Education)|year=2007|accessdate=2007-02-20]

History

The beginnings of the Wandoan township can be traced back to 1853 when 'Juandah' Station was established at this location. A wayside hotel was built there in the 1890s, and by the end of the nineteenth century the hotel was well established and a township was formed. It was named Wandoan in 1926.

Wandoan today

Tourism

The following are features of interest in Wandoan:cite web|url=http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/western-downs/places-to-visit/wandoan/index.cfm|title=Wandoan - Places to visit|work=Queensland holidays|author=Tourism Queensland|year=2006|accessdate=2007-02-20]

*the local Heritage Trail leads to 23 points of interest, including the Juandah site and the Waterloo Plains Environmental Park with its lakes, picnic areas and water birds
*the 'Wandoan Windmill' at the town entrance on the Highway across from a colourful mural painted on the town's main water tank.
*a mural depicting local history in the Community Cultural Centre on a huge piece of local sandstone.
*the Wandoan Races: horse racing meetings held once or twice every year.
*Wandoan Unlicensed Airport is 1.2 Kilometres away

The Wandoan Information Centre on Royd Street provides information for visitors.

chool

"Juandah Provisional School" opened on 30 October 1911. It became a State School on 1 March 1916 and was renamed "Wandoan State School" in 1924.cite web|url=http://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/Search/AgencyDetails.aspx?AgencyId=5800|title=Wandoan State School|work=Queensland State Archives|author=The State of Queensland (Department of Public Works)|year=2006|accessdate=2007-02-20]

ervices

Wandoan has the following services:
* Ambulance Service, Doctor, Out Patients Clinic, Veterinary Surgeon
* Fire Brigade, Police Station
* Tank Water, Town Water, TV Reception - Good, Normal Alternating Current (AC) Power
* Railway Station, Coach Bus Service, Full Vehicle Service
* Chemist, Hotel/Motel, Official Post Office, Mail Collected Daily

Climate

The temperature varies between 21°-34° in summer and 5°-22° in winter.cite web|url=http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/western-downs/places-to-visit/wandoan/climate.cfm|title=Wandoan Climate|work=Queensland holidays|author=Tourism Queensland|year=2006|accessdate=2007-02-20]

References