Where Mitchell Grass Meets the Diamantina

Overview

Combo Waterhole Conservation Park is a small outback park near Kynuna, about 132km north-west of Winton, protecting part of the Diamantina River system and the waterholes that sit along its braided channels. Although it covers only 49ha, it preserves a distinctive slice of Central West Queensland where permanent-looking water, open downs country and river red gum and coolibah shade come together in an otherwise dry landscape.

The place is best known for its waterholes, which hold on as important refuge habitat in dry times. It is also one of the more accessible places in the district to get a feel for the Mitchell grass downs that define so much of inland Queensland.

Highlights

The character of the park comes from the contrast between broad, open Mitchell grass country and the quiet, low-lying waterholes along the Diamantina. These channels and pools give the landscape its shape, breaking up the plains with lines of mature waterside trees and pockets of shade.

Another striking feature is the old stone-pitched overshots built across the river channels. They sit naturally within the landscape now, but still stand out as part of the park’s visual identity, especially where they meet the flat downs and slow-moving water.

Best Time to Visit

The most comfortable months are generally April to September, when the heat is less intense and walking around the open downs is far more pleasant. In the warmer months, the country can be extremely hot through the middle of the day, so the cooler season is usually the better time to appreciate the park’s scenery and birdlife.

Plants and Animals

This is a good place to see the meeting point between inland grassland and riverine habitat. Mitchell grass dominates the open downs, while coolibah trees gather around the waterholes and create shelter for birds and other wildlife.

The waterholes are especially important for animals during dry periods, and birdwatching is one of the park’s strengths. Australian pratincoles are seen in the surrounding open country, while species recorded around the waterway include weebills, rainbow bee-eaters, sacred kingfishers and spotted harriers. Wetland records for the park area are dominated by bird sightings, reflecting how strongly these waterholes function as habitat for inland birdlife.

Culture and Heritage

Combo Waterhole has a recognised connection with the Koa people, whose travel and trade routes followed the Diamantina River and its braided channels long before pastoral settlement. The park also holds historical features linked to later movement through the district, including the old stone-pitched overshots associated with coach and stock-route travel.

The place is also widely linked with the story of Waltzing Matilda, with Combo’s waterholes said to have inspired Banjo Paterson when he wrote the song. That association gives this small park an outsized place in Queensland’s pastoral and cultural history.