By Sonia Isaacs and Marina Gomide
IF you have an interest in pioneering history, you may wish to take a short road trip from the Hinterland to visit Stonehouse, believed to be Queensland’s only stone-built inn and stagecoach station.
2024 marks its sesquicentenary with a special celebratory weekend on July 27-28.
Located close to Moore, Stonehouse is a heritage-listed group of rare stone buildings, built around 1874 as a stagecoach horse changing point and wayward inn. Celebrating 150 years of history, the historical society ‘Friends of Stonehouse’ have organised a jam-packed weekend of activities, food, and fun, and everyone is invited to help mark this milestone occasion.
The weekend will feature replica stagecoach rides and other attractions, including working horse ploughing displays, wool spinning and weaving, market stalls, wheelwright display, folk music, stonemasons, heritage displays, and much more.
The book launch of ‘Set in Stone’ will also take place on July 27. A bush poetry workshop run by Australian grand champion and international representative for Aussie bush poetry, Gary Fogarty, will also be held on July 28. Walk-ups are welcome to join!
“This is a chance for the general public to visit and absorb the atmosphere at Stonehouse, watching trades and skills from a bygone era,” a Friends of Stonehouse representative said.
Buses will shuttle attendees from the Moore Hall to Stonehouse at 15-minute intervals. Admission $10, with children under 12 free. For more details, search Friends of Stonehouse, History Restoration and Conservation Inc on Facebook.