Cracow, Queensland: A hidden gem in the Australian Outback with a storied past

Not all roads lead to Cracow. In fact, getting to this town in the heart of the Outback requires careful preparation.

Halfway there, the GPS signal disappears. And, as there are no petrol stations along the route, you need to bring an adequate supply of fuel if you don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Cracow, however, rewards the traveller's effort. After a long, pothole-laden journey, you finally see a town that — although it does not resemble Kraków, the better-known Polish city — has its own subtly charming, albeit austere, character.

The town's ties to Poland remain unclear.

Some say that the founder of the first settlement in the area had a Polish wife and was moved by her compatriots' struggle for freedom in the 19th century.

But others believe that the name comes from the rustling of dry branches (or crack), which are abundant in this harsh climate.

Either way, what is beyond doubt is that this place has long attracted people with an explorer's spirit and a desire for something more than an ordinary life.

Cracow was one of the last towns to emerge during the gold rush of the 1930s. At its peak, it had a bustling population of around 10,000 people, and almost 20,000 kg of gold...
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