What’s New in Outback Queensland in 2020

2019 may have been announced as the Year of Outback Queensland Tourism by the Queensland Premier, but the good times will keep rolling in 2020, with a raft of new tourism products set to open.

Thanks to funding by the Queensland Government and the announcement of the Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund, Outback Queensland travellers will have 15 new attractions to explore in 2020.

Go behind the hoarding with this sneak peek of the new tourism products coming soon to Outback Queensland.

Cobbold Gorge Glass Bottom Bridge

Cobbold Gorge Bridge | What's New in Outback Queensland in 2020

Cinderella may have had a glass slipper, but Cobbold Gorge is soon to have Australia’s first glass bridge.

The 11-metre glass bridge will give tourists the opportunity to walk over the sandstone cliffs and look down to the waters below, spanning the width of the gorge.

This new tour compliments the existing experiences run by Cobbold Gorge Tours, which include boat tours, stand up paddle boarding tours through the gorge and scenic helicopter flights.

W: cobboldgorge.com.au
P:  Glenda, 0409 072700
E:  marketing@cobboldgorge.com.au

 

Luminescent Longreach and Qantas Centenary Celebrations

Qantas Founders Museum | 6 more reasons to visit Outback Queensland in 2020

The Qantas Founders Museum is set for a bright 2020 with the construction of a new sound and light experience, Luminescent Longreach.

Luminescent Longreach will be a ‘first’ for the region, with a sound and light show projected over the Qantas Founders Museum’s existing fleet.

Aside from the construction of the light show itself, 2020 will see the museum install a roof over the planes, which will allow visitors to explore the aircraft comfortably all year round.

The project is due for completion in May 2020 to coincide with the museum’s 100 years of Qantas celebrations.

W: qfom.com.au 
P:  Nicole, (07) 4658 3737
E:  nkuttner@qfom.com.au

 

Observation Tower and Tree Walk

Big Rig Roma | 6 more reasons to visit Outback Queensland in 2020

Roma might be known for oil and gas, but visitors will be digging for history in 2020, with the opening of The Bigger Big Rig Observation Tower and Tree Walk at the Big Rig in Roma.

This new attraction will see the construction of a 30m observation tower as well as a 150m Tree Walk which will go from The Big Rig, across the Oil Patch Museum, out to Bungil Creek.

The Tree Walk will also link to the Adungadoo Pathway, with visual displays along the path.

Before packing walking shoes and dropping a pin on Roma, note, an opening date is still yet to be confirmed.

W: maranoa.qld.gov.au/latest-news/project-updates
P:  Justine, (07) 4624 0203
E:  Justine.Miller@maranoa.qld.gov.au

 

Outback Golf Masters

Outback Qld Masters | 6 more reasons to visit Outback Queensland in 2020

Visitors might need excess luggage next trip to Outback Queensland, with the Outback Golf Masters set to return in 2020 for round two.

The event returns to Queensland’s most remote courses in June and July 2020, with amateur golfers, social players and first-time swingers teeing off for the chance of winning one million dollars.

Punters will be in with a swinging chance with the event teeing off in Biloela, Charleville, Quilpie, Blackall, Hughenden and Longreach next year.

Play “around” in Outback Queensland for the chance to win one million dollars with a hole-in-one at the final round in Longreach.

Tickets for the 2020 event are now available for purchase.

W: outbackqldmasters.com
P: (07) 3252 8155
E: experience@outbackqldmasters.com

 

Hughenden Recreational Lake

Hughenden Lake | 6 more reasons to visit Outback Queensland in 2020

In the prehistoric era, Hughenden was known for its Inland Sea. In 2020, there’ll be water of a different kind with the construction of the Hughenden Recreational Lake.

On completion, the $6 million lake project (funded by both the Australian Government and the Flinders Shire Council) will span 22 hectares in size, making it the equivalent of 35 football fields.

The lake is equipped to cover all manner of aquatic activities, including canoeing, swimming, a 500m rowing course, sailing, water-skiing and slalom circuits. Boat ramp access will also be available.

A separate sheltered sandy beach and a recreational zone including park shelters, BBQs, a viewing deck, pathways and parklands and a kids play area will complete the impressive new recreational area.

Don’t pack swimmers just yet. An official opening date is yet to be confirmed.

W: flinders.qld.gov.au/hughenden-recreational-lake
P:  Rob, 0427 095816
E: tdo@flinders.qld.gov.au

 

Stockman’s Hall of Fame Cinematic Experience

Outback Stockmans Show | What's new in 2020 in Outback Queensland

#OutbackQueensland photo by @benjamin_crisp

Visitors should time their visit to The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame with the arrival of the Easter Bunny, with the unveiling of a $15 million redevelopment in early 2020.

The virtual stockman “Hugh” will guide visitors on a journey through history, retracing the footsteps of the men and women who built Australia.

Visitors can celebrate Australia’s stockmen and women, the contribution of Indigenous Stock-Workers, the role of the Royal Flying Doctors, the men and women of rodeo and the cattle kings who opened up a nation and gave rise to our defining national spirit.

The virtual tour compliments the Stockman’s LIVE Day & Night Dinner Show, which displays the stories and skills that define what it means to be a stockman.

The first stage of the project is due for completion in April 2020.

W: outbackheritage.com.au 
P: (07) 4658 2166
E: pa@stockmanshalloffame.com.au

 

Bigger and better events

Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival | What's on in 2020 in Outback Queensland

It’s not just Outback Queensland’s attractions that are growing. Outback Queensland’s events calendar is even more jam-packed, with the recent announcement of the Queensland Government’s ‘Year of Outback Queensland’ Events Funding Program.
Make 2020 the year to experience these Outback events:

  • Julia Creek Dirt n Dust (April)
  • Festival of Outback Opera – Mount Isa (June)
  • Birdsville Big Red Bash (July)
  • Outback Queensland Golf Masters – various locations (June-July)
  • Winton Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival (June-July)
  • Boulia Camel Races (July)
  • Mount Isa Rodeo (August)
  • The Outback Food, Wine & Music Festival – Longreach (September)