Welford

Welford, within Welford National Park, includes a rare surviving example of a pisé, or rammed earth, homestead constructed between 1875 and 1881. Aside from the homestead complex with meat house, water stand, worker accommodation and ancillary sheds, Welford includes a shearing complex, remnant built features and archaeological sites. The property exemplifies the development of the Mitchell pastoral district; explored by Sir Thomas Mitchell during 1846. European settlement along the Barcoo River began in the early 1860s. In 1871, Richard Welford took up five contiguous properties, known as Walton Station. Welford and a stockman were killed by Aboriginals in April 1872. His leases and 290 head of cattle were purchased by Thomas and Charles Rome. They leased adjacent land further down the Barcoo River, naming it ‘Welford Downs’ and building its pisé homestead by 1881. The Mitchell district changed to wool production during the 1880s and by 1892 accounted for 38% of Queensland’s sheep. For the next century, Welford Downs continued to produce wool. It was declared a national park in 1993; featuring ghost gums, spinifex and wild flowers, surrounded by wind-blown sand dunes. The homestead is now the park ranger’s residence. Visitors can enjoy camping, canoeing, birdwatching, walking, fishing and photography.