Escape to Tambo, Queensland: The tiny town with a royal connection

If you want true blue outback, Tambo is your town. Not to be confused with the Tambo in Victoria, this Tambo is located in central western Queensland. Mount Isa is a 10-hour drive in one direction and Brisbane is a 10-hour drive in the other.

Despite its isolation, people happily travel there in search of a precious souvenir that can only be found in Tambo – the famous Tambo Teddies. Made with sheepskin and wool, the teddies are so iconically Australian, they have been gifted to not one, but two royal couples. 

The cuddly creations have put the town on the map, but more recently locals have been trying to leverage the tourist attraction by organising others.

Now Tambo is home to chicken races every night of the week between May and October (when coronavirus-related restrictions are not in place). Poultry punters have lapped it up with glowing reviews; “The most ridiculous and entertaining thing I have ever seen,” said one. 

These quirky and unique attractions make up everything Aussies love about a country town. And did I mention it has two pubs?

Population: 367, as of the 2016 census

Who lives there?

The best thing about living in Tambo, according to librarian Sharynn Brigg, is the people.

“It’s a very safe town, like you can walk around here at 10 o’clock at night and not even think twice about it,” she said.

“You know everybody, that’s the beautiful part of it I think, because you know everybody. There’s nobody bad here. It’s a great little community.”

Brigg is the sole employee of the Tambo library, which also houses the visitor information centre. The heritage-listed library was originally the town’s court house.

Built in 1888, the court used to double as a hall for community functions thanks to the portable witness stand, prisoner’s box and judge’s bench. 

Brigg, who has lived in Tambo for 20 years, said the town had its fair share of modern-day explorers.

“People don’t come to Tambo, rather they are passing through Tambo and, of course, they come for Tambo Teddies,” she said.

“We get tourists, people who just mainly want info about the area, what’s on, what’s happening, where they can stay. 

“Plus we get quite a lot of self-contained people with their caravans, showers and toilets so they’re looking for a different experience than a caravan park.”

Tambo is home to many who live off the land, thanks to its huge open grassland plains, many of which have access to Barcoo River. With its dry climate and expansive paddocks, it’s often referred to by farmers as “blue ribbon grazing” country. 

What happens there?

For a small town, there’s a lot going in Tambo. When COVID-19-related restrictions aren’t postponing all the fun, the town is home to regular plays at the town hall and exhibitions at the Grassland Art Gallery. 

Locals love their sporting events with everything from clay shooting to rodeo on offer. Equestrian sports are particularly popular and May is the month local horse lovers highlight on their calendars. The month is ordinarily packed with events including the Tambo Polocrosse, Tambo Campdraft and Tambo Races. 

The Tambo Stock Show comes around every April and as the first agricultural event on the central west show circuit, it usually draws hundreds of families. The show includes everything from children’s entertainment to coveted agricultural prizes. The pandemic has seen the cancellation of the 2020 show, so it will celebrate its 50th year next year. 

The Royal Carrangarra Hotel is one of Tambo’s social hubs. Found on the main street of Arthur Street, the hotel has an intriguing history. Dating back to 1863, the pub prides itself on being the oldest licensed pub site and since then it has doubled as the town’s post office – and burnt down three times. Yes, three times.

Townsville’s Ben Casey purchased the hotel in 2018, fulfilling his dream of owning an outback pub.

“It’s a friendly town and that’s the main reason I’m here,” he said.

“There were a few pubs I was looking at and I rang the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker in each of those towns to get a feel for what the community was like.

“Tambo is really welcoming and actually invites tourists. Plus, the pub is the oldest building in the town. It has a real heart and soul.”

Since he introduced Ben’s Chicken Racing two years ago, half of the proceeds have been donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, amounting to more than $8500.

What’s life like?

Tambo is laidback, but locals work hard and are proud of the community spirit they have forged. Alison Shaw, co-owner of Tambo Teddies, said the business started as a way of lifting morale in the town, which had battled drought for decades. 

“People really do feel for the rural communities who struggle with drought and the challenges they face,” she said.

“People empathise with that and we certainly get those sort of messages all the time from our customers, that they love to buy our teddies to support us because we’re providing jobs and supporting our community. 

“And we have that unique story of each teddy bear being individual and being handcrafted from Australian sheepskin, to help the wool industry and helping a community.”

When coronavirus lockdowns began, Tambo Teddies jumped at the chance to be part of the bear hunts happening around the country. Inspired by the popular children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, bears were being displayed in houses and shop windows for passing children to spot. Bears of all shapes and sizes are now hidden around Tambo. 

Tambo Teddies, which cost between $135 and $325, were gifted by the Queensland government to royal couples Kate and William, when they toured Australia in 2014, and Harry and Meghan in 2018.

What jobs are there?

For many, the name Tambo is synonymous with wool. But in recent years drought and even large numbers of wild dogs have forced farmers to switch to cattle.  

The beef cattle farming industry accounts for nearly a third of Tambo’s workers, according to the 2016 census. Local government employs the second-largest group of employees, followed by primary and secondary education staff. 

Although its population is tiny, Tambo locals have found new ways to invite passing tourists to stay a little longer. This means many residents work in accommodation venues – there are two caravan parks, a motel and rooms at both hotels – and attractions including the Grassland Art Gallery, which hosts touring exhibitions and the work of local artists.

Another tourist hub is Tambo’s Heritage Precinct, which is volunteer-operated and includes Tambo’s Post and Telegraph Offices. Interestingly, the offices played a crucial role in the early telegraph system that linked Australia’s north and south. Visitors can see and hear an interactive Morse code display tapping out messages.

Why should you move there?

History is everywhere you turn in Tambo. Many residents come from generations of families  who have lived in the area and just about every building has a story to tell.

In contrast to the new suburbs springing up on the outskirts of metropolitan where everything is brand new, towns like Tambo have heritage in spades. 

Although it’s isolated, its welcoming community has found innovative ways to attract tourists and keep the town thriving.