Torrens Creek has a long and interesting history and just like many outback towns, this tiny place also has memories of former glory. William Landsborough, who went for an expedition from Adelaide on the Gulf in search of Burke and Wills, named the creek which rises in the Great Dividing Range and runs southward to the Thompson River system to eventually reach Lake Eyre, Torrens Creek. He named the creek after Sir Robert Torrens, Premier of South Australia

https://www.weekendnotes.com/torrens-creek-township/

Located along the Flinders Highway which goes from East to West, connecting towns such as Mt Isa, Winton and Townsville. The road turns into the Barkly Highway from Cloncurry to the Northern Territory border.

Photo by The Big Lap Part 9 – Home by Starlight November 20, 2019 by Chris Whitelaw

Whilst there are lots of advertised murals and silo art for tourists to see, ours remain somewhat hidden and off the beaten track. This article in the Townsville Bulletin- February 19, 2023 - 12:35PM, gives an overview of the Torrens Creek ‘Hidden Artwork Gems’

Article & Photos by @DanekaHill - Townsville Bulletin

Covering 112,000ha, this rugged wilderness features spectacular white sandstone bluffs and gorges, and diverse plants and animals. A further 12,000ha are contained in a resource reserve on the eastern boundary of the park.

The park protects 14 different ecosystems in the Desert Uplands bioregion, making it one of inland Queensland's most botanically diverse parks. Lancewood forests, open woodlands, laterite pastures, heathlands and spinifex grasslands are spotted around the white sandstone outcrops, sand dunes and sandy flats in the Canns Camp area. Brilliant wildflowers and a host of animals are found throughout the park.

The park is a vast parched landscape for most of the year. However, when seasonal conditions are favorable it comes alive in the winter months with a colorful display of wildflowers. Dissected by the Great Dividing Range the headwaters of three major catchments exist within the park. Water flows east through several smaller streams to the Burdekin River which spills into the Coral Sea. The Flinders River flows north into the Gulf of Carpentaria. And water from Torrens Creek makes its way through to the channel country of western Queensland, eventually feeding into Lake Eyre in South Australia. The porous sandstone of White Mountains acts as a major recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin too.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/white-mountains/about#features

In the heart of the Desert Uplands, Moorrinya National Park protects 18 land types in the Lake Eyre Basin, one of Australia’s most important water catchments. This remote park has dry, flat plains crisscrossed by watercourses and covered in open eucalypt, paperbark and acacia woodlands and grasslands. Camping is available in a remote and undeveloped setting.

A remarkable history to come out of this tiny town was the heroic action of John Crosby who single-handedly saved the lives of everyone on a crowded train. One wet evening in 1917, this local railway water pump operator tried his best to stop the incoming train from a big disaster. He cut wood to build a big fire on either side of the line, stabbed himself and mopped the blood up in his handkerchief to wrap around the lantern to make a warning red light and even charged himself towards the oncoming train waving his white shirt in the glare of its light in order to stop the train and make them aware of the water down the creek. In the end, everyone in the train was saved because of John Crosby's actions.

https://www.weekendnotes.com/torrens-creek-township/

Torrens Creek played a vital role on Coral Sea battle in 1942 during World War II. Because of its strategic location, Torrens Creek became a supply dump for explosives, which was accidentally blown up by US soldiers. Because of the explosions, in the townships, buildings shook, windows broke, and people were convinced an air raid had occurred. Constable Seawright of Torrens Creek Police was with thousand soldiers and civilians attacked the blazing grass that resulted from the explosion. Because of his action, he was awarded the King's Medal of Bravery.

https://www.weekendnotes.com/torrens-creek-township/

A quiet unattended golf course

Across from the Oasis Exchange hotel and campground is a public amenities block and playground. Note the bin covers throughout the shire. Australia’s Dinosaur Trail in Queensland’s Outback is an exciting new adventure highlighting the world-class fossil discoveries in the towns of Winton, Hughenden and Richmond. A journey along the Dinosaur Trail offers visitors a range of unique experiences not offered anywhere else in Australia.

https://www.visithughenden.com.au/itinerary/australia-dinosaur-trail/

Oasis Exchange Hotel swimming pool and spa

Oasis Exchange Hotel Traveler Guest Book is so extensive it couldn’t be contained on paper. Records date back to 1991.

Fox Helicopter Services provides a safe, economical, low stress aerial service seven days a week.

We have four helicopters in service, three predominately used in our mustering business & aerial applications. Two machines are fitted with hooks for sling operation and pods for aerial applications, ag spray systems, charter & survey using GPS & recorded guidance.