Official Opening of Birdsville Courthouse & Police Complex

Published on 09 January 2026

Celebrating More Than a Century of Policing History

Diamantina Shire Council will officially open the Birdsville Courthouse Police Complex and Aboriginal Tracker’s Hut Museum on 9–10 April 2026, marking a major milestone in preserving and sharing the remarkable history of policing in one of Queensland’s most remote regions.

The opening celebrates Birdsville’s policing legacy from 1884 to 1988, a period spanning frontier settlement, immense isolation, and the evolution of law enforcement on the far-southwest border. The Courthouse precinct, now restored and reimagined as an interactive museum, offers visitors a rare insight into the challenges and resilience that shaped policing in outback Queensland.

The site holds significant heritage value. It was entered on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1993, with the Diamantina Shire Council becoming custodian in 2008. In 2021, the property was formally transferred from the State Government to the Council, securing its future as a cultural tourism and education asset.

Diamantina Shire Mayor Francis Murray said the reopening marks a proud moment for the region:

“The Birdsville Courthouse stands as a powerful reminder of the endurance, service, and community spirit that defined remote policing for over a century. Restoring this precinct ensures that the stories of those who lived and worked here will continue to be honoured and shared.”

The two-day program includes:

Welcome Event & Exhibition Opening
5:00pm, Thursday 9 April 2026 – Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre Gallery
Featuring Birdsville – The Black Book, an exhibition inspired by Frances Gage McGinn’s 1977 publication Birdsville, bringing the story of old Birdsville to life through artwork and rich historical research.

Official Opening Ceremony
9:30am, Friday 10 April 2026 – Birdsville Courthouse Police Complex & Aboriginal Tracker’s Hut, McDonald Street

Diamantina Shire Council welcomes community members, former police officers, descendants of those connected to the precinct, travellers, and all those with an interest in the region’s history to join the celebrations.

RSVPs are requested by Friday, 6 February 2026 via info@diamantina.qld.gov.au.

For further information, call 07 4564 2000.