- New visitor hub at Wooleen Station set to diversify tourism in the Murchison
- The project was supported by a $100,000 grant from the Cook Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) program
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has officially opened a new visitor hub at Wooleen Station today, which is set to diversify the tourism experience in the Murchison.
The owners of Wooleen Station have relocated and refurbished a 100-year-old shearer’s shed kitchen and have transformed it into its reception, caf and art studio.
Originally situated 7km from the homestead, it’s relocation to the entry of Wooleen Station will provide a distinct focal point for visitors with its curved, domed tin roofline.
While not heritage listed, given its age and architectural construction, the structure holds regional significance, so creatively repurposing it as tourism infrastructure preserves its integrity and the history of the area.
The building will enhance the quality of visitor experiences, support Aboriginal culture, retain local heritage and create awareness of regenerative and sustainable pastoralism to enable local and regional economic growth.
The project was supported by a $100,000 Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
“The owners of Wooleen Station have done a fantastic job of bringing the history of Wooleen to the fore and making it accessible for the modern era.
“It demonstrates that when heritage is embraced and valued, it can become a valuable asset for the community and a tourism drawcard.
“The shearer’s shed kitchen transformation into a visitor hub contributes to growth and diversification of Wooleen’s business structure and aids in the long-term sustainability of the pastoral industry.
“Our Regional Economic Development Grants are supporting locally driven projects right across the regions, creating new jobs and driving economic diversification.”
