So you’re coming to Quilpie for the annual Golf Club Open Weekend this weekend (15th & 16th August), ….of course you are, why wouldn’t you be??
If you don’t fancy yourself a golfer but your husband thinks he is a regular Tiger Woods, make sure you come along for the weekend anyway because there are plenty of other things to see and do.
Hole-in-one: A rarity but not impossible. This is where a player hits the ball directly into the hole from their first (tee) shot.
Plan your trip around spending a few days either side of the golf weekend exploring the local area. Like the hole above. Hell Hole Gorge to be more precise. This incredible National Park is located 167km north of Quilpie, via Adavale and is a must visit see while in the area.
A nature enthusiast and bush walkers dream, this park also offers incredible opportunities for photography, 4wding or even canoeing if the water isn’t too cold! HOT TIP: Make sure you book a High Tea or Premium Morning Tea experience at the Elegant Emu in Adavale on the drive through.
Eagle: A hole completed in two strokes under par.
The Quilpie Shire is home to an abundance of birdlife, including the might Wedge-tailed Eagle and the best place to see them around Quilpie without a doubt would be at Lake Houdraman.
Now you may not spot an Eagle at the lake as they tend to hover around road kill along the main roads scaring you by waiting long enough for you to slam on the breaks and slow right down before taking off, but none the less bird life a plenty awaits you at this natural lake, 5km north of Quilpie.
Make sure you get a bird list from the Visitor Information Centre before you head out to enjoy a picnic under the shady river red gums as the birds frolic through the trees and the shallows of the banks.
Rough: The longer and coarser grass at either side of the fairway that is best avoided.
Now the walk to Baldy Top might be a little rough in spots due to the rocks but with decent shoes on you won’t have a worry in the world to make it to the summit for an Outback Sunset like no other.
Sure Baldy Top has great views any time of day with its complete uninterrupted 360 degree views of the landscape, but there is nothing quite like watching the sunset atop this little rocky ridge with an ice cold beer. You can even class up the event by ordering a hamper from the Heritage Inn in Quilpie to pick up on your way out.
Hook: For a right-handed golfer a hook occurs when the ball travels from right to left, but in a much more exaggerated path.
Did you know that the Bulloo River at Quilpie is a closed drainage system and is one of the only catchments in Queensland that does not have carp? What better place than to throw in a line and hook a Yellow Belly!
You can even try your luck at catching some yabbies or if fishing isn’t your cup of tee (see what we did there…..), take a leisurely stroll along the signed river walk and learn about the local flora and fauna of the Bulloo Catchment.
Fried Egg: Sometimes when your ball lands in the bunker it will get buried. It looks exactly like a fried egg!
What better way to start your Sunday morning than a hearty breakfast.
Make your way to the Heritage Inn and enjoy a delicious brunch at this beautifully restored circa. 1926 Hotel. You can even enjoy brekky in the morning sunshine out in the courtyard. What a way to start the day!
Slice: This is probably the most popular of golf terms as it relates to a player’s swing. A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball. For a right-handed golfer, they have sliced it if the ball is moving excessively from left to right.
Sunday night is pizza night in Quilpie so after a long weekend of trying to find your golf ball, reward yourself with an Italian Frisbee from the Imperial Hotel.
Choose from 4 of the regular flavours or spoil yourself with the monthly special. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
Fairway: Exactly where golfers should aim to keep to — the short grass between the tee and the putting green.
Now 108km may seem like a fair way away on foot, but in the car it’s nothing! With that being said you should defiantly then plan to head to Eromanga after your weekend of golfing in Quilpie.
Not only is Eromanga the furthest town from the sea in Australia, it is also home to Australia’s LARGEST dinosaur….you can’t get much more impressive than that now can you.
While in Eromanga you can visit ‘Cooper’, Australia’s largest dinosaur at the Eromanga Natural History Museum, learn about Eromanga’s fascinating history at the Living History Centre and on the historical town walk, stay a few nights at the Caravan Park and enjoy an ice cold beer at the Royal Hotel. Sounds like a perfect few days to me!
Now doesn’t that sound like a fabulous weekend? We look forward to seeing you in Quilpie for the Golf Open weekend and maybe even for the Outback Queensland Golf Masters in 2021.
For more information on everything above or on other things to do in Quilpie visit the below sights:
https://www.facebook.com/quilpieheritageinn/
https://www.facebook.com/Quilpie-Pub-169674143079064/
https://www.facebook.com/EromangaMotel/
https://www.facebook.com/royalhoteleromanga/
https://www.outbackqldmasters.com/
