Wanpa-rda Matilda Centre

Services

  
 

The Wanpa-rda Matilda Outback Education Centre:

  • provides dormitory accommodation (see below) for 50 students and 6 adults in our  Barcaldine facility. 

  • offers the services of a full-time Education Officer, who can assist with planning your itinerary (see above) and making any bookings required. A fee of $44 applies to this service, to cover administration costs.

  • can organise catering (see below) for your group. 

  • provides local and first-hand knowledge of site by utilising ambassadors (see above).

  • hires a camping trailer (see below) fully equipped with tents, eskies and cooking equipment.

  • delivers school-based curriculum activities and educational programs (see above) while on camp.

  • can organise evening activities (see below).

  
   
   
   
   
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
Accommodation      
                 
 

Dormitory Facilities

at the

Wanpa-rda Matilda

Outback Education Centre

      
       
       
         
 

The Wanpa-rda Matilda Outback Education Centre has several accommodation options for visiting schools.

      
       
                 
 

The centre features a 56-bed dormitory in Barcaldine. This comprises:

  • Two large student dormitories with 25 bunk beds in each

  • Two staff rooms with three beds in each

  • Dining room seating 60

  •  Air conditioning throughout

  • Fully equipped catering kitchen with cutlery and crockery for 60, large bench areas, storage cupboards and pantry

  • Wheelchair access and facilities

  • Detached ablutions block.

This dormitory accommodation is available at $14.00 per student person per night (1 adult FOC per 10 students, Drivers FOC in separate accommodation) for school groups.  Non School groups children 16 and under $14.00 per night and adults $20.00 per night.  Don't forget to bring your own bedding - eg a sleeping bag and pillow. 		   
                 
Camping Trailer             
                 
 

$55.00 booking fee plus $33.00 day hire charge

The Wanpa-rda Matilda Outdoor Education Centre  camping trailer is equipped to cater for up to 55 people and is designed to be towed by a 4WD (for example a Land Cruiser or troop carrier) as well as most school buses.  You will require your own cutlery and crockery.  

Three-person dome style tents

    
   

Equipment includes:

  • Ten five-person dome style tents
  • Three three-person dome style tents
  • Three fibreglass 85 litre coolboxes
  • Five large plastic food boxes with lids
  • Two three-burner cast iron gas stoves
  • Four gas lanterns and cylinders (gas supplied)
  • 360 cm x 540 cm marquee
  • Shovels, axe, hammers, adjustable spanner
  • Camp ovens, saucepans, frying pans, billies
  • Three 60 cm x 120 cm tables
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    The trailer is partially funded by Priority Country Area Program (PCAP).

     

    For more information on PCAP email:  nwpcap@tpgi.com.au  

    		    
                   
    Catering Options    
        While staying at the Wanpa-rda Matilda Centre you can take advantage of the various catering options available to you. The Centre has  arrangements with a local caterer who can provide hearty meals at a reasonable cost. Please contact the Education Officer for menu and pricing information.

    		   
         
         
         
         
               

    Alternatively, the Wanpa-rda Matilda Centre dormitory accommodation contains a fully equipped catering kitchen and an electric BBQ. Visitors are welcome to use the facilities to self-cater. The local stores are able to deliver any food items you require, ready for your arrival. These arrangements should be made by the last working day before you depart.

    N.B. Catering numbers must be provided one week prior to arrival. If student numbers drop after this time, catering will be charged for the number of people quoted one week prior. This is necessary due to the purchase and preparation of food prior to your group's arrival.

    		  
             
             
                   
    Activities      
      Evening Activities            
                   

    		Astronomy            
      The Wanpa-rda Matilda Centre offers an hour and a half long astronomy program. The Centre has three reflecting telescopes and several pairs of binoculars available. Skies in the Central West are very clear, especially in winter and there is little light pollution. Explore the skies for constellations, planets, the moon and meteorite showers.     
         
         
         
                     
     

    		Campfire

    Enjoy an evening telling yarns around the campfire, with billy tea and toasted marshmallows (at teacher discretion!)

    		   
           
           
           

    		   
     

    		Radio Theatre      
        Barcaldine's one and only movie cinema, built in the 1920s and still operating - complete with intermission and canvas seats.    
           
           
               
               
                     

    		Teamwork and Leadership programs can also be conducted at night.    
                     
      Other Activities            
     

    		Camping          
       

    Camping in the region's national parks provides opportunities for bird watching, bushwalking and environmental studies. 

    National parks include: Idalia National Park (via Blackall), Welford National Park (via Jundah)  and Bladensburg National Park (via Winton)

    These parks have limited facilities and careful preparation is necessary before visiting, but all have the potential to provide great experiences for small school groups. See the Wanpa-rda Matilda CD-ROM for details. 

    		    
           
                     
     

    		Sports            
        Communities in the Central West have sporting clubs and facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, netball courts and football fields.

    To access these, enquire at the Centre for details.

    		    
                     
       

                       

    		   
                     
     

    		Community events and festivals          
        On some occasions schools may be able to join in community events, festivals, field days and other locally organised events. Examples are: the Jack Howe Run, a shearing competition held in Blackall every two years; the Outback Muster and Drovers' Reunion, held yearly in Longreach; the National Outback Performing Arts festival of outback stories, poems and songs, held yearly in Longreach; the Bougainvillea and Artesian Festival held every two years in Barcaldine. Ask  what might be happening in the region during your visit.