Ilfracombe Historical Society Incorporation

Ilfracombe Historical Society Incorporation Information

A wonderful display of machinery, some of it very rare and almost all collected within 100 miles of the town, can be seen at The Ilfracombe Historical Society Incorporation. The display is free of charge, with a donation box located on premises if you feel generous.

The town is 27 kilometres east of Longreach in Central West Queensland, located on the Matilda Highway. Accessible by road from Brisbane, Rockhampton and Mount Isa.

Visitors can expect to see many forms of old machinery, including a 1917 Ruston Proctor Tractor (only two more of this model left in the world), Steam Devil, a big Excavator driven by three horse powered steam engine, which runs along one railway line. Made in 1880 and sold in 1882, it would be safe to say this excavator is the only remaining one of its kind. There's also a 12 tonne Stuart Tank that has been converted to a dozer; the first series grader made by Caterpillar in 1935, an early 1900 Lacre Light Truck, and a 1914 Republic Truck.

There are numerous other items, including stationary engines all painted, standing on cement and marked with all previous history attached.