Woodford, Queensland: Museum, Railway, Markets and Archer Street

Woodford is a small hinterland town on the D’Aguilar Highway, about 70 minutes by car from Brisbane, with a free local history museum, a volunteer-run heritage railway, monthly country markets and a main street of buildings from the 1880s onward. If you searched for Woodford QLD to plan a day out, the town itself is well worth a few hours outside the famous folk festival.

The Archer brothers set up Durundur Station near the Stanley River in 1841, and the town grew around a hotel at a river ford. It was named after Henry Conwell Wood, a junior partner in the station.

Woodford Historical Society Museum

The museum is at 109 Archer Street. Entry is free, and donations help keep it open. It is open 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and on the third Sunday of each month, and visits outside those times can be arranged in advance.

The Historical Society’s work covers Woodford’s history, the sawmills of Durundur, the town’s saleyards and houses, the ANZAC tribute, the memorial trees along Archer Street, and a restored flood boat. Guided tours and group visits can be arranged through the society.

The entrance is at ground level from the rear car park, there is a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and tables and chairs let you eat your own morning tea or lunch.

Woodford Country Markets

The markets are held on the third Sunday of each month, from 7 am to 12 pm, in the middle of town. The museum is open the same day, so the two make an easy morning together.

The Woodford Railway

Volunteers from the Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society run heritage train rides, usually on the first and third Sunday of each month from 10 am. The society’s website says its steam locomotives are being repaired or overhauled, so the trains are currently heritage diesels. The station is in Margaret Street: turn at the water tower and look for the station. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available on site.

The society says the trains may not run when Easter or New Year’s Day falls on a running Sunday, and can be cancelled for fire bans or other problems. Call the recorded information line on 07 5496 1976 or check the society’s Facebook page before you go.

Archer Street heritage walk

Archer Street is the old main street, and the Woodford Historical Society has recorded the history of many of its buildings. Things to look for as you walk:

• The original post office and telephone exchange site at number 113, built near Post Office Creek in 1885.
• One of Woodford’s oldest stores at number 97, built by H.C. Cowie, and a butcher shop at number 91 that carries on a family butchering business started in 1887.
• The former Methodist church at number 126, opened in 1912 with logs donated and cut at local mills.
• Remembrance Park at number 127, and the old fire station at number 132.
• The saleyards at number 129, and the memorial trees honouring Australian Defence Force members along the street.
• St Matthias’ Anglican Church, dedicated in 1892 and later moved to its present site by bullock wagon.

The Moreton Bay Hinterland Visitor Information Centre is at 127 Archer Street. It has free Wi-Fi, and free walk and talk tours run on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 am. The Woodford Library is at 1 Elizabeth Street.

Woodford Folk Festival

Woodford is best known for its folk festival at the end of each year. Dates, tickets and camping are in our Woodford Folk Festival guide.

Planning your visit

• How long: Allow a half day for the museum, an Archer Street walk and the markets or railway.
• Best time: The third Sunday of the month, when the markets, museum and railway are all running.
• Cost: The museum is free. The railway charges fares, so check the society’s website or Facebook for current prices.
• What to bring: A hat, water, and cash or a card for the markets and the railway.

Getting there and parking

Woodford is about 70 minutes by car from Brisbane, about 24 km west of Caboolture on the D’Aguilar Highway. From Caboolture it is about 25 minutes by car. The museum has a rear car park, and there is parking space for coaches. For the railway, turn at the water tower and follow the signs to the station in Margaret Street. Details of the museum and markets are on the Woodford Historical Society website.

Nearby

• Mount Mee – a day out in the D’Aguilar Range, south of Woodford.
• More history and landmarks and more Moreton Bay days out.

You might also like

• D’Aguilar National Park – the national park around Mount Mee.
• Kilcoy – Yowie Park and Lake Somerset, further along the highway.
• Caboolture Historical Village – more local history on the way home.
• Glass House Mountains – lookouts and walks to the east.

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