JC Hotel Ruins

Imagine life in the historic township of Canterbury as you explore the ruins of the J.C. Hotel and the nearby cemetery, located 80 km west of Windorah. This site, rich with history, offers a chance to pause, reflect, and immerse yourself in the past. The J.C. Hotel ruins, marked by mounds of dirt and scattered stumps, tell the story of a once-bustling outpost that served travelers and explorers.

The site is a reminder of John Costello’s pioneering spirit when he first took a property on Kyabra Creek near Eromanga in 1865. Costello's exploration extended westward, across Cooper Creek to the Diamantina and Georgina rivers, seeking land for the Collins family, led by John Collin. During one of these expeditions, he carved his initials—possibly "J.C." for John Collin—on the famous “JC” tree while waiting for his billy to boil, a testament to the area's early exploration.

The J.C. Hotel, built nearby, stood as a landmark until the roof was removed in 1956, leaving the pise walls to deteriorate over time. Today, an information board at the site shares these stories, allowing visitors to reflect on the history while visiting the small cemetery nearby. For more details, stop by the Windorah Visitor Information Centre.