The town is situated on Lagoon Creek, which flows into the Alice River approximately five kilometres south of the Barcaldine.

[6] The first European to enter the area was Frederick Walker, the former commandant of the Native Police, who in 1861 led an expedition through what is now Barcaldine searching for the explorers Burke and Wills.

[10] The local Aboriginal people were not allowed onto Barcaldine Downs and blackbirded South Sea Islander labour was utilised in the 1860s and 1870s.

By 1891, a local doctor observed that water contained soda and potash which he believed would have health benefits.

In 1907, a swimming pool using the artesian water was built by the Barcaldine Shire Council, along with baths and showers for therapeutic use.

The initial local government meetings were held in a building in Oak Street, which burned down in 1896.

A shire hall was then constructed in 1898 on the south-east corner of Ash and Beech Streets, which eventually became too small.

In February 1912 a new larger shire hall was opened and that building (somewhat modified and extended) is still in use today and is heritage-listed.

[20][22][23][24]In August 1909, a devastating fire destroyed buildings in Oak Street, including a general store (J. Dias), a saddlery (H. A. Hawthorne) and the Welcome Home Hotel (W.

Barcaldine was expanded to incorporate Barcaldine Downs, Evora, Grant (all except for the eastern corner), Home Creek, Ingberry (southern part), Moombria, Narbethong (all except for the north-eastern corner), Patrick, Saltern Creek, and Tara Station.

Banners carried included those of the Australian Labor Federation, the Shearers' and Carriers' Unions, and one inscribed 'Young Australia'.

The Labor Bulletin reported that cheers were given for "the Union", "the Eight-hour day", "the Strike Committee" and "the boys in gaol".

It reported the march:In the procession every civilised country was represented doing duty for the Russian, Swede, French, Dane etc., who are germane to him in other climes, showing that Labor's cause is one the world over, foreshadowing the time when the swords shall be turned into ploughshares and Liberty, Peace and Friendship will knit together the nations of the earth.On the 9 September 1892 the Manifesto of the Queensland Labour Party was read out under the well known Tree of Knowledge at Barcaldine following the Great Shearers' Strike.

The State Library of Queensland now holds the manifesto,[33] in 2008 the historic document was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Australian Register and in 2009, the document was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World International Register.

Network Ten and its sister channels 10 Bold, 10 Peach and 10 Shake transmit to Barcaldine through its regional area affiliate, CDT.

Barcaldine has a bowls, tennis clubs, a combined racecourse and showground near the golf course, a historical and folk museum, swimming pool and visitor information centre.

This story shows a contrast between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' (slum dwellers and the wealthy citizens) and depicts the conflict between the squatters and pastoral workers.

The preface of the book states, 'The scene is laid in Sydney because it is not thought desirable, for various reasons, to aggravate by a local plot the soreness existing in Queensland'.