Outback Top 10's
Choose your own Outback adventure
Where To Go
North West
Things can get wild in Queensland’s rugged North West. Visit the thriving mining town of Mount Isa, saddle up for the Mount Isa Rodeo, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and drop in at the historic Underground Hospital built during WWII.
Canoe through vivid red gorges in the Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park and search for ancient fossils in the limestone outcrops of Riversleigh World Heritage Area. Head to Hughenden to see 'Hughie', the seven-metre Muttaburrasaurus and an impressive fossil collection.
And, don’t leave without visiting the Porcupine Gorge National Park.
Far West
Queensland’s Far West is the place for adventurers. Explore the rugged Simpson Desert by 4WD, see the Big Red sand dune glow at sunset and watch thousands of migratory birds flock to the wetlands of the Diamantina National Park.
If you’re looking for outback entertainment, catch a famous Australian band at the Big Red Bash or back a winner at the Birdsville Races.
South West
The closest section of Outback Queensland to Brisbane, the South West is home to colourful characters, wedge-tailed eagles and boulder opals.
Bathe in mineral-rich mud at the Eulo Mud Baths, meet a tiny endangered marsupial at the Charleville Bilby Experience Centre and peer into the heavens at the Charleville Cosmos Centre.
East
Banana Shire has many natural attractions including gorges, rivers and National Parks such as the Glebe Weir and Expedition National Park. Visit Lake Murphy, Kroombit Tops and Mt. Scoria Conservation Parks, or relax at Isla and Cania Gorges.
The Dawson River and Callide Dam provide many opportunities for fishing and water sports. The Shire can also provide many adventures for the 4WD enthusiast.
Central West
The Central West is the heart of Outback Queensland, a place built by pioneers and stockmen. Visit Longreach, the birthplace of an Australian icon at the Qantas Founders Museum and learn about the region’s fascinating history at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Learn about Waltzing Matilda in Winton where the song was original performed.
Longreach Airport is on the edge of town, with flights arriving from Brisbane and Townsville. You can also catch the Spirit of the Outback train from Rockhampton.
What To Do In The Outback
Meanwhile in #OutbackQueensland
Australia is a very big place and this sign atop Mount Isa's City Lookout proves the point. . 📍 674km to Alice Springs 📍 1,576km to Brisbane 📍 16,095km to New York City Just to name a few! How far have you travelled to visit #OutbackQueensland? Photo by @graduated.cylinder
Jan 23 Mount Isa, Queensland
This pub is no mirage. @birdsvillehotel might be the last pub before you hit the Simpson Desert but we can promise you its beers are still ice cold. This historical pub (est 1884) is well worth the 1582km trek from Brisbane to Birdsville all in the name of a 🍺or 🍻. . Tag a mate you'd want to 🚗 west with 👇 Photo by @georgie.mann.photos
Jan 22
If you thought #outbackqueensland was all red dirt and dust, think again. Enter Lawn Hill National Park, which promises 4WD-only, phone reception-free and off-the-beaten-track adventure 🚗🚗🚗. . What do you reckon? Tag a mate you'd take here 👇 Photo by @haggisspringrolls
Jan 21 Lawn Hill National Park
We don't know about you, but these 🐮 look like they're about to drop the hottest album of 2020. 11/10 would listen to their mooooo-sic 🎧 Photo by @wattle_and_co
Jan 20
You never know who you'll meet in #outbackqueensland Our Aussie natives aren't usually shy out west. Just remember to take extra caution on the roads around dusk and dawn when our friendly natives often come out to play. Photo by @sidetracked.australia
Jan 17
If you've been there, done that, stayed at normal hotels, why not swap things up with a station say in 2020? We're not horsing around, #outbackqueensland is full of them! Tag a mate you'd want to take 👇 Photo by @llehmannphotography
Jan 16
Hold onto your hats, or don't, it's National Hat Day! We don't need any excuse in #outbackqueensland to toss our akubras in the air. Photo by @annehartung.photography
Jan 15
Riddle us this, where else can you check into 4.5 ⭐️ luxury and still sleep under a blanket of a million of them 👉 @saltbushretreat. To find it 📍@visitlongreach aka 'the heart of the outback'. . Getting there is easy, whether you choose 🚗🚌🚊✈️. . So, what are you waiting for? Tag an outback mate you'd like to travel with 🤠
Jan 14
Unlike Fight Club, we're happy to share the rules of travelling to #outbackqueensland First rule: Get yourself a window seat 💺 Photo by @ianquatermass_qantas
Jan 13
Could we suggest adding one more thing to your New Years Resolutions list? Attend one of our weird and wacky race days! Looking for inspo? Mark your 🗓 for 17-19 July 2020 for @bouliacamelraces which take over the far-west town. Outside of festival weekend this tiny town has a population of approximately 300 people oh, and plenty of 🐪🐪🐪. . Hands up 🙋♀️ who wants to go this year?
Jan 11 Boulia, Queensland
When you're visiting a city rich in mining history, it pays to get underground to see it in action. Next time you're in 'The Isa', don bright orange overalls, gum boots, and a matching hard hat joining @outbackatisa for a Hard Times Mining Tour. With an ex-miner as your tour guide, you'll descend to the depths of a replica mine to hear first-hand stories of Mount Isa's mining history. Tag a mate who'd love this tour 👇
Jan 10 Mount Isa, Queensland
What do you mean you don't ride to your local for a 🍺? You're doing it wrong! Take a cue from @sammieobrien on a recent visit to #Cunnamulla #OutbackQueensland Tag a mate who would do this 👇
We raise your normal bubble bath, this one 🛀 Rub-a-dub-dub in this tub @juliacreekqld in #outbackqueensland. . 📍Find #juliacreek 260km east of Mount Isa 🚘 @overlandersway. Photo by @lookoutherewecome
Jan 8
🙌 That's a wrap 2019! 🙌 See you in 2020! 🎉 #OutbackQueensland photo by @lisa_alexander_photography #outbackqueensland #outbackqld #happynewyear #newyearseve #thisisqueensland #beautifulonedayperfectthenext #seeaustralia #undiscoveraustralia
🏜️ The Simpson Desert is one of the world's best examples of parallel dunal desert 🏜️ Get one of the best views of it from Big Red, which marks the desert's symbolic edge 😍 #OutbackQueensland photo by @troyboy00
From all our families to yours, we hope your day is filled with love, laughter and happiness. Merry Christmas Amazing photo by @sweet.as.fotos #outbackqueensland #outbackqld #longreach #merrychristmas #christmasday #christmas #thisisqueensland #beautifulonedayperfectthenext #seeaustralia #undiscoveraustralia
Dec 25 Longreach, Queensland
🔥 Now, that's a way to beat the heat 🛶💦 What's your favourite spot to make a splash in #OutbackQueensland? Photo by @thewildclearfields
Dec 22 Boodjamulla National Park
🏜️🚙Who's planning on tackling the Simpson Desert? We're counting down already for access to reopen 👉 on 15 March 2020! 🙌 #OutbackQueensland photo by @moredirtlessbitumen
Dec 21 Munga-Thirri National Park
🚶♂️🚶♂️ We're pretty sure we've found our favourite place to play 'follow the leader'! 🌏 Carnarvon Gorge ticks all the boxes for school holiday fun! ✅ #OutbackQueensland photo by @bigandlittleadventures
Dec 20 Carnarvon Gorge
What are your travel goals for #2020? 🌏✈️ We hope climbing Big Red is one of them! 🙌🙌#OutbackQueensland photo by @danielle_jessie
💦 No filters here, the water at the eerie abandoned Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine really is this blue! 💦#OutbackQueensland photo by @madeleinewb
Dec 18 Mary Kathleen, Queensland
🏊 This isn't your average triathlon 🏊 Swimming through #JuliaCreek is just the start of @dirtndustfest #OutbackQueensland photo by @leecarseldine
Dec 17 Julia Creek, Queensland
🌏 What's your favourite Outback national park? We love Porcupine Gorge 70km north of Hughenden 📍🗺️ Here you'll find this pyramid-shaped mountain and permanent waterholes to cool off in. You'll find a campsite at the top of the gorge too, perfect for sunset viewing! #campinggoals 🏕️✅ #OutbackQueensland photo by @madeleinewb_
🎁🎅 Santa's Bush Basher has taken a tumble on the road between Longreach and Stonehenge! 🤣#OutbackQueensland photo by Karen Emmott
🌳 Did you know that Roma's largest bottle tree has an incredible girth of 9.51 metres, a height of 6 metres and a crown of 20 metres? 🌳 The tree was transplanted by the local council to its present location from a local property in 1927! 😮 #OutbackQueensland photo by @wandering_aus
Dec 14 Roma, Queensland
☀️🍾 Is there any other better way to finish the day in Outback Queensland? Who wishes they were here right now? 😍 #OutbackQueensland photo by @troyboy00
Love exploring? This is north west Queensland's only railway tunnel 🚂 Take your 4WD to find the abandoned town of Hightville and Wee MacGregory Mine 🚙 between #MountIsa and #Cloncurry 📍🗺️Hightville was established in 1913 to support the nearby mine, the mine closed in 1920, bringing the demise of the small town. Nearby you'll also find local favourites, Fountain Springs and Rigby Falls 💦 #OutbackQueensland photo by @sara_jane_xoxo
Dec 12 Wee Macgregor Mines
📍🗺️ Situated in the remote north-west highlands of Queensland, Boodjamulla National Park encompasses Lawn Hill Gorge and the Riversleigh World Heritage Area 🌴🌏 What's our favourite way to experience the true magic of this national park? By canoe along the emerald green waters of the park's canoe trail! 💦🛶#OutbackQueensland photo by @seanscottphotography
Dec 10 Boodjamulla National Park
☀️ Chasing sunsets? Here's one of our favourites along the Warrego Way 👉 Baldy Top Lookout ✨😍 You'll find it just outside of #Quilpie 🙌 #OutbackQueensland photo by @visitquilpieshire
Dec 10 Baldy Top Quilpie Queensland
✨Under the stars at the famous Birdsville Racetrack. The Milky Way trying to peak through the cloudy skies ☁️🌙Will you be heading to the race that stops the Outback in 2020? 👉 @thebirdsvilleraces 🐎🏁#OutbackQueensland photo by @carolc.photography
Dec 9 Birdsville, Queensland
