Isis Shire

 

Sweet heart of the Country

Situated atop a low range of rolling green hills, there are few other towns in Queensland as authentically attractive as Childers. A self-guided walking tour is the best way to see the town's heritage, and an important first stop is the Childers Information Centre - site of the Childers Backpacker Memorial - rebuilt after the tragic event of 2000. The Childers Pharmaceutical Museum & Regional Art Gallery has a marvellous array of historical medical reminders of the past, or take the stairs to view a cosy and attractive art gallery. The collections vary from local to travelling exhibitions and, around the time of the renowned Childers Festival of Cultures in July, the gallery offers excellent workshops with performing and fine artists. On the outskirts of Childers amongst the sugarcane, small crops and rich red volcanic soils lie two unique attractions. Mammino's is an absolute must stop for anyone who loves either macadamias or richly flavoured old-fashioned ice creams. Snake's Downunder nearby offers a fascinating experience with reptiles of all shapes and sizes.

 

Also near to Childers you'll find one of the most attractive pubs in the state - the Cordalba Hotel. Cordalba lies just a couple of kilometres off the Isis Highway, but you will feel like you've stepped back in time! The hotel is an eclectic mix of 1900's, 1940's and the present with loads of memorabilia. For those overnight stays, quaint country

accommodation can be found here, as well as at 4 delightful B&B's - one in the heart of Childers, one at Mango Hill, and the other 2 just outside Childers at Apple Tree Creek which also features the Flying High Fauna & Flora Bird Habitat - one of Australia's largest and newest walk- through free-flight aviaries, as well as the township’s historic rotunda. All three places offer scenic vistas of the rolling countryside.

 

16kms of pale sand lining a beautiful beach announces your arrival at Woodgate, just 35 kms from Childers. The original character of this small coastal township still shines through - where else would you find oceanfront mansions next to ramshackle beach houses from the 1940's and 50's, combined with such a wonderful beach and protected

by twin sections of the Burrum Coast National Park. Walking and 4WDrive tracks traverse the park and a raised boardwalk is great for those with mobility difficulties. End your walk at the beach or at the blinding white sands of Theodolite Creek for a refreshing swim. Wildlife abounds in the area. The kangaroos, emus and koalas are frequent

visitors and pelicans lay in wait near visitors with fishing rods.

 

Woodgate's accommodation choices range from bush camping in the national park, to powered sites and cabins at the popular caravan park, or motel units, self-contained apartments and a range of holiday houses. A sealed road leads from Woodgate down to Walker's Point - a scenic afternoon spot under the shady trees near the mouth of the Burrum River. Further upriver near the junction of the Burrum and Isis rivers lies Buxton. The turnoff is 25 kms south of Childers on the Bruce Highway 1 and is accessed by a sealed road. A boat ramp allows access to some of the best fishing, prawning and crabbing waterways in the southeast. This is the real way experience the Isis Shire -

spending a day or perhaps a weekend driving along and exploring the country ways and back roads. The Isis Shire is a Coral Coast treasure just waiting for you to discover.

 

Accommodation in Childers consists of motor inns or  caravan parks offering great views and seclusion. There's even a boer goat stud nearby that has homestead or self-catering accommodation and the maremma dogs that actually live with the goats are a sight to behold!

Isis Shire Council
45 Churchill Street,
PO Box 103
CHILDERS QLD 4660

Phone: (07) 4192 1000
Fax: (07) 4126 1604

Mayor: Mr Bill Trevor
CEO: Mr Stephen Johnston
Email: info@isis.qld.gov.au
www: www.isis.qld.gov.au