The community of Thallon, in southern Queensland, has rallied to save their village, which was in danger of becoming a ghost town.
Story + Photos Mandy McKeesick
The drive from Mungindi to St George in southern Queensland passes through the village of Thallon. At first glance, empty buildings might cause the traveller to write-off Thallon as a one-horse town, minus the horse. But a closer inspection reveals friendly locals, new arrivals and a growing number of visitors.
On the edge of town, a levee bank separates two worlds. On one side, caravans are parked adjacent to the cricket ground and a repurposed railway station. On the other side, closer to the Moonie River, a stream of semitrailers pulls into the grain depot. Linking the two worlds are four silos resplendent in sunset tones, extravagantly painted in 2017 by Travis ‘Drapl’ Vinson and Joel ‘The Zookeeper’ Fergie. They depict the best of Thallon: the river, the wildlife, Indigenous heritage and agriculture.
This story excerpt is from issue #163
Outback Magazine: Oct/Nov 2025
