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
The Roma on Bungil Gallery celebrates the second annual 2022 'Sculptures Out Back' Exhibition in the outdoor sculpture walk of art at Roma’s town entrance. Come along and view all 19 sculptures that have entered into this years exhibition located on the eastern side of Roma beside the Warrego Highway from 3.00pm tomorrow until 22 October. Judging will include the Hall Chadwick Emerging Artist prize worth $5,000, The Roma on Bungil Gallery People's Choice Prize worth $2,000 and the Roma Wire & Steel Acquisitive Garden Seat prize worth $2,000. Image 6 - "A Bush Conversation" Sculpture by artist @dion_x_sculptures won last years People's Choice Awards. #outbackqueensland #romaonbungilgallery #sculpturesoutback #artexhibition #sculptureexhibition #romarevealed #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Covering an area of 5410ha, Porcupine Gorge National Park extends for more than 25km along Porcupine Creek, and includes surrounding open woodland and grassland. The Kennedy Development road to Porcupine Gorge is fully sealed. The Gorge Lookout is 63km north of Hughenden and the Pyramid Lookout, campground, Rim Walk and Gorge Walk are another 11km further north. Amazing photo by @overlandtravellers with @drivenorthqueensland #outbackqueensland #visithughenden #overlandersway #qldparks #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Wilson River is a tributary of Cooper's Creek. The River passes through the land belonging to Nockatunga Station, which was originally settled by the Drynan brothers in 1868. A large waterhole exists within the Wilson River adjacent to the Noccundra Hotel, and is referred to as the Noccundra Waterhole. This waterhole is a popular campsite for locals and visitors alike. Great photo by @j9.travels #outbackqueensland #noccundra #wilsonriver #noccundrawaterhole #explorebulloo #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
At the heart of every great town, is a great community and Dirranbandi is no exception! This unique country town captures the hearts of many, arriving as visitors and leaving as friends. You won't get much better country hospitality than in the @stgeorgeregion, their towns are like no other. From touring Australia's largest cotton farm "Cubbie Station" to enjoying some freshly baked Russian Sweets at the bakery, Dirran is full of surprises! #outbackqueensland #stgeorgeregion #dirranbandi #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Nothing like a little Outback Queensland red dirt! We are as happy as little Hadassah @the_vaggabonds here in Windorah. Many of our Outback Queensland tourism businesses found out this week they have achieved ‘Best of Queensland Experiences’. You will see the stamp (2nd image) that will identify and recognise experiences that best bring the Queensland story to life and consistently deliver a high-quality visitor experience. The program has been developed in partnership with the state’s lead marketing and experience development agency Tourism and Events Queensland @queensland , Queensland Tourism Industry Council @theqtic and the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport @qldtourismdevelopment. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review, share your photos, tag tourism businesses, commented on their posts and most of all, for choosing Outback Queensland experiences. Congratulations to you all. #outbackqueensland #bestofqueensland #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Whether you’re camping, caravanning or want fully self-contained accommodation @longreachtouristpark has an option for everyone. From air-conditioned two bedroom cabins, self-contained studio style cabins, drive-through sites, powered sites (lots with ensuites), slabs, extra large sites for RV's and camping area for tents. They have all the amenities you could ask for plus their own onsite restaurant, The Woolshed Bar and Grill. They are minutes from the centre of town and very close to major attractions, making it a perfect location to explore all Longreach has to offer. For more information and to book please go to https://longreachtouristpark.com.au/ Great photo by @queensland_helicopters BTW how amazing does Longreach look at the moment! #outbackqueensland #longreachtouristpark #experiencelongreach #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
'Kirrenderri, Heart of the Channel Country' presents a visually striking and narrative rich exhibition chronicling extraordinary stories from one of the most remote locations at the very heart of Australia. Channel Country is renowned as an intersection for Aboriginal trade networks that connect the continent. Revelations of the age and scale of sites in this landscape are evocative and lead to a reimagining of the deep history of this country. The exhibition will tour to the following Outback Queensland venues- * Outback Regional Gallery at @waltzingmatildacentre, 50 Elderslie Street, Winton July 2 – August 7 * Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery, 62 Valentine Plains Road, Biloela Feb-March 2023 * Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre, 29 Burt Street, Birdsville June-September 2023 Followed by Townsville, Toowoomba and Coffs Harbour in 2024. Photograph courtesy Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation. An Aboriginal stone arrangement located in the country of the Mithaka Aboriginal people in the desert channels region of far Southwestern Queensland. A stone lined curvilinear pathway leads into two closed circles. The main structure is surrounded by several circular ‘c’ shaped structures. Stone arrangements in Mithaka country are associated with ceremonies which according to author Alice Duncan-Kemp who was a trusted informant of the Mithaka people during the early 1900s were often places where Aboriginal people asked for ‘the need for the spirits influence and help’. The main structure is approximately 20 metres long. This site was located by Traditional Owner Josh Gorringe of the Mithaka people together with retired surveyor Ian Andrews in early 2020. The image was taken by a quadcopter drone. For more information please type in your browser https://tinyurl.com/KirrenderriExhibition #outbackqueensland #aboriginalartexhibition #experiencewinton #sandstonewonders #thediamantina #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Put a fork in it! That’s July done and dusted. There’s still so much time to experience Outback Queensland. From bath tubs to dinosaurs there’s something for everyone. Be sure to plan and book ahead as Outback Queensland businesses are still quite busy especially leading up to the next school holidays. Click the link in our bio to our Travellers Guide. Plan your trip around one (or two) of the many events still to come. Click the link in our bio for all the events. Cheers to @charlotteplains for hot tub outdoors! Along with powered, unpowered sites and shearers quarters your stay is sorted. #outbackqueensland #visitcunnamulla #charlotteplains #bookahead #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
From meteor showers and eclipses to planet and moon viewings, the sky is putting on a show and the best place to see it all is at the Charleville @cosmoscentre in Outback Queensland. Using powerful Meade telescopes, the Cosmos Centre allows visitors to see 16,000 light years into space and offers night time observatory sessions, astronomy by day experiences, sun viewings, introduction to the night sky sessions and Aboriginal night sky stories. For more information on their tours please type in your browser https://www.cosmoscentre.com/ Amazing photo by @barwonhdr #outbackqueensland #cosmoscentre #experiencecharleville #astronomy #milkyway #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Whip out to Winton for the @outbackfestivalqueensland anniversary weekend! Celebrating 50 years of achievement, with a special one-off anniversary event weekend from Friday 23 September to Sunday 25 September 2022. Celebrations include their Golden Anniversary Gala Dinner under the stars, live entertainment, Boulder Opal markets in Winton’s main street and Bush Poets Breakfast Recovery Show. The popular biennial event will be back in 2023 with their full five days of quirky events again from 19 to 23 September. For more details and event tickets go to https://outbackfestival.com.au/50th-anniversary-special-event-weekend/ #outbackqueensland #outbackfestival #50yearanniversary #experiencewinton #thisisqueensland #itslive #seeaustralia
Don't imagine yourself here, be here! A 5 star exclusive and luxurious stay is waiting for you at @gilbertonoutbackretreat It's where you can unplug, unwind and relax. Stay in the comfort and absolute luxury in your own private retreat overlooking the Gilbert River with panoramic views. Experience the true comfort of luxurious accommodation while staying on this 88,000 acre working cattle station. Explore Gilberton’s ecological assets, mountain ranges, granite boulders and natural springs … or just soak up the tranquility. Go to https://www.gilbertonoutbackretreat.com/ for more information. #outbackqueensland #gilbertonoutbackretreat #luxuryaccommodation #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Have your camera ready! Located about 20kms east of @betootahotel, you'll love the spectacular and long-ranging views of Deon's Lookout. With a rest area, public toilets and picnic table, this is a great place to break your journey. This lookout is dedicated to a young man (20 years old), Deon Brook who was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in 1996, 18 nautical miles south west of this point. #outbackqueensland #betoota #deonslookout #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
The Outback Queensland park with the "million dollar view"! With prime position on Lake Fred Tritton, Lakeview Caravan Park is definitely the place to be when staying in Richmond. A variety of stay options including powered and unpowered sites, bunkhouse rooms, budget rooms, self contained ensuite cabins and villas. Even your furry companions can stay (just not in the rooms, cabins or villas). Just remember to plan ahead so you don't miss out. #outbackqueensland #lakeviewcaravanpark #youlldigrichmond #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Do you have Outback Queensland in your upcoming travel plans? Here's some tips to get you started. * Book ahead! Many attractions, tours and accommodation (including caravan parks) book out quickly. Please plan ahead and book your activities and stays in advance so you don't miss out. * Phone and Internet Across the majority of Outback Queensland, Telstra is the only service provider with broader coverage. Telstra Aldi (or any other third-party supplier of Telstra) does not provide coverage in our beautiful region, the same with Vodaphone and Optus. Please be aware some long stretches between towns have little or no connection (black spots). * Drop by and say hi at the Visitor Information Centres You'll always get a friendly welcome and plenty of local advice. They can also provide information or sell required permits, maps, guides and brochures. * Fuel If you see a sign for next stop fuel or no fuel, take notice. * Roads Road safety is extremely important for everyone especially around road trains and wildlife. Check ahead for road closures, taking regular breaks and finding the correct route to your destination (see tip 3). Google Maps may not always be correct! * Rubbish Take it with you! Your rubbish doesn't belong on the road side or in a locals letter box. * Be prepared! Whether it's your first time or you are veteran travellers, being prepared is essential. This not only includes planning your travels and what you take with you but also ensuring your vehicle is prepared for your Outback Queensland adventure. For more information to help you plan your Outback Queensland holiday go to the link in our bio to download your copy of our Travellers Guide. #outbackqueensland #travellersguide #traveltips #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
The spectacular site of the Moss Garden's at Carnarvon Gorge is a must see! The Sandstone above collects the rainwater and over thousands of years the water trickles down through the stones. This constant supply of moisture helps in sustaining the moss, ferns and liverworts that reside in this green oasis. Join @boobook_ecotours on their Carnarvon Gorge 5 Day Adventure to discover the secrets of this beautiful part of Outback Queensland. Go to https://www.boobookecotours.com.au/ to find out more about their tours. #outbackqueensland #boobookecotours #romarevealed #carnarvongorge #ecotours #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Following on from Winton's win with Queensland Tourism Industry Council @theqtic Top Tourism Tiny Town for 2022 they will be featured on today's @creektocoast Join the crew this afternoon at 5.30pm on @channel7 as they showcase Winton's great accommodation options, stunning scenery, and even better watering hole! #outbackqueensland #experiencewinton #creektocoast #qtic #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
The weekend is looking mighty fine with these beauties! Bring your pots and catch a feed. The Hughenden Recreational Lake is well stocked with Red Claw. We think they are the perfect accompaniment with sunset drinks. The Hughenden Recreational Lake is a multiple-use lake where you can enjoy picnicking and barbecues, swimming, boating and water-skiing, non-motorised watercraft activities (canoeing, kayaking and rowing), fishing and has a shaded playground. For more information on the Lake please go to https://tinyurl.com/HughendenRecreationalLake #outbackqueensland #visithughenden #recreationallake #overlandersway #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Did you know Bilbies ears can be 60% of their body length? You can learn more about Bilbies when you visit the Charleville Bilby Experience. See the super cute Bilbies in their spectacular nocturnal house, where you'll learn about the plight of the Bilby and their successful breeding and release program. Following the guided tour, you will have time to ask questions, browse the informative displays, watch the short clips available and purchase items from their gift shop. All Bilby souvenirs benefit the work of the @savethebilbyfund. For more information and to book your tour, go to https://tinyurl.com/CharlevilleBilbyTour Take a look at the latest news on 34 precious Bilbies who have been translocated to a new home https://tinyurl.com/BilbiesABCNews #outbackqueensland #savethebily #bilby #experiencecharleville #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Imagine a classroom more than twice the size of Victoria! The Longreach School of Distance Education is one of the largest classrooms in the world. Join the Longreach School of the Air Tours to go behind the scenes to observe the school in action and learn how education is delivered using technology 'in the bush'. Tours run daily from March through to October at 9:00am and 10:30am, Monday to Friday except Public Holidays and scheduled events involving their whole school community. Bookings are essential. For more information and to book your tour go to https://lsodetours.com.au/pages/tours #outbackqueensland #schooloftheair #longreachschoolofdistanceeducation #experiencelongreach #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Farming is the life blood for so many in Outback Queensland. The Australian Government @ausgov are working to ensure all travellers, particularly those returning from Indonesia, are aware of the risk posed by the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Please leave your shoes on holiday to protect Aussie farms #ThrowYourThongs in Bali. Do your part to protect our livestock producers and keep FMD out of Australia. To find out more to go - https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare/pests-diseases-disorders/foot-mouth #outbackqueensland #biosecurity #FootandMouthDisease #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Knot-a-saurus! When visiting Eromanga, a visit to see the locals is a must. If you get the chance to see it with the Milky Way, even better! Just down the road is the @eromanganhmuseum where you can see Australia’s largest dinosaur, Cooper! Amazing photo by @stephenk_lightart #outbackqueensland #knotasaurus #eromanganaturalhistorymuseum #visitquilpieshire #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
A town with old fashioned values and friendly townsfolk are the hallmarks of Baralaba. On any day of the week, the Neville Hewitt Weir is a great spot for camping at the cost of a donation. The area is also magnificent for boating and picnic barbecues. The name Baralaba means high mountain or land of the blue mountain in the local language of the Gangulu people. You’ll find Baralaba about 100kms west of Biloela in @sandstonewonders region. Great photos by @trundlewithus #outbackqueensland #sandstonewonders #baralaba #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Four! down two to go. The @outbackqueenslandmasters is well and truly underway with four of the six locations completed in Roma, Tambo, Barcaldine and Winton. The most remote golf series in Australia is making its way next to Mount Isa this weekend before concluding with the Million Dollar Hole-In-One Challenge in Birdsville 22-24 July. Cheer on the players as they make their way through the courses of the last two locations. Image 1 - Winton Image 2 - Barcadline Image 3 - Tambo (photo by @reubennutt for @pixelframe) Image 4 - Roma #outbackqueensland #outbackqldmasters #romarevealed #totallytambo #discoverbarcaldine #experiencewinton #discovermountisa #thediamantina #itslive #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #golfaustralia #AusPGA
The Aboriginal Traditional Owners, the Waanyi people, know this country as Boodjamulla or the Rainbow Serpent country. According to the Waanyi people, Boodjamulla—the Rainbow Serpent—formed the Lawn Hill Gorge area and created the permanent spring water. To the Waanyi people, Lawn Hill Gorge is a sacred place used only for ceremonial and celebratory purposes. They believe that if you tamper with the water, pollute it or take it for granted, the Rainbow Serpent will leave and take all the water with him. Beautiful photo by @nas_adventures #outbackqueensland #naidocweek #naidoc2020 #boodjamullanationalpark #qldparks #nationalpark #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Did you know you can buy one pass for four experiences along @australiasdinosaurtrail? What does the pass include? 🦕 The Ultimate Dinosaur Tour of the @australianageofdinosaurs in Winton 🐾 Guided tour of the Dinosaur Stampede, Lark Quarry Conservation Park in Winton 🦈 Entry to @kronosaurus_korner in Richmond 🦖 Entry to Flinders Discovery Centre in @visithughenden There are passes available for families, adults, concessions and children. Go to https://australiasdinosaurtrail.com.au/ to find out more and to book your passes. #outbackqueensland #australiasdinosaurtrail #dinosaurs #aaod #experiencewinton #kronosauruskorner #youlldigrichmond #visithughenden #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Melbourne's Hosier Lane - move over! There's now a laneway in south west QLD where you'll find some epic murals, including this poignant commentary about the need to tread lightly on our world by @drapl and @_thezookeeper Created in time for the inaugural Alley View Festival, the event was the brainchild of artist @samantha_meurant and husband Scott. They purchased a commercial building in town to operate their electrical business and recognised the opportunity that awaited. Only a minute's walk from the Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Centre, we can think of no better location for this reminder than in this stunning region. Location: Street Art Laneway off Stockyard St, Cunnamulla. Words and photos by @ausstreetartawards #outbackqueensland #ausstreetartawards #streetart #muralart #visitcunnamulla #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Sunsets in Mount Isa are better when someone else knows the best spots! Hop onboard with @northwesttoursqld on their Lake Moondarra Sunset Tour. End your day relaxing in the picturesque surrounds of Transport Bay. Experience the serenity and sunset over Lake Moondarra whilst enjoying a beverage and generous ploughman’s platter. Go to https://northwesttours.com.au/tour/lake-moondarra-sunset-tour/ to find out more and to book your seats. #outbackqueensland #northwesttours #discovermountisa #sunsettour #lakemoondarra #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
An elephant in Outback Queensland! It's not everyday you would come across an elephant out here but this one is very special. This monument is a permanent reminder that it was in Blackall that one of the country's largest circuses, Perry Bros, experienced its successful rebirth. You can visit 'Jumbo' under a purpose built 'Big Top' rotunda in Banks Park or during the Circus Carnival from 19-28 August. Ten days of all thing’s circus, clowns, acrobatics, trapeze artists, musicians, dancers, hula-hoops, tightrope walkers and jugglers. All the fun of the fair and the magic and mystery of the circus will be held over two action-packed weekends. For full program details and to secure your tickets go to https://tinyurl.com/CircusCarnivalBlackall #outbackqueensland #betterinblackall #Jumbo #circuscarnival #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
The next three days will see Birdsville play host to some of Australia’s most recognised music legends at the @bigredbash With a line up of @jimmybarnesofficial @missyhigginsmusic @kaseychambersmusic @jonstevensofficial @therealkateceberano @richardclaptonofficial and so many more we know you’ll all have an amazing time. We wish all the team involved all the best and enjoy it too. #outbackqueensland #bigredbash #musicfestival #thediamantina #itslive #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
We see your city sunsets but raise you Outback Queensland ones! This one was taken in @stgeorgeregion at Andrew Nixon Bridge / Jack Taylor Weir by @leeroys_lens #outbackqueensland #stgeorgeregion #sunsets #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
