The 1869 ‘Peak Downs’ Homestead is the largest restored station homestead of its kind in Australia, and it is the centrepiece of the Capella Pioneer Village complex on the Gregory Highway at Capella, in Queensland Central Highlands region.
60,000 wooden 40 x 10 centimetre shingles make up the roof. No nails, nor any other fasteners, were used in the pit sawn spotted gum timber walls.
The Capella Pioneer Village also boasts the woolshed from ‘Gordon Downs’ station that has a tale to tell on the Central Highlands origins of the 1891 Great Shearers Strike. Ask about the sabotage attack on military train.
Wonder at the magnitude of the post World War II Food and Britain scheme.
The Queensland British Food Corporation (QBFC) held 200,000 hectares of open down grasslands across the Highlands in 1949 and had 27,000 hectares under crop in 1950.
The operational headquarters were at Capella.
Come and see the tractors and farming machinery and learn of the people who worked to make that feast possible.
Join in the fun of the annual Craft Fair and Vintage Machinery Rally that is held on the second Saturday in September.
Coach and school groups always welcome.
Pioneer Street
Capella QLD 4723
PHONE : (07) 4984 9434
Note: The Village closes over the Summer wet season.