An Epic 5-Day Family Adventure in Outback Queensland
Big skies and ancient landscapes await in this epic family friendly adventure. This five-day Outback Queensland road trip blends bilbies, history, hands-on science, authentic station stays and unforgettable stargazing — perfect for curious kids and adventure-loving parents.
Day 1: Charleville
Your Outback adventure begins in Charleville. Here you’ll settle into your caravan park or comfortable local motel before venturing out to explore the WWII Secret Base. Hidden in plain sight, this fascinating attraction celebrates Charleville’s little known role in World War II, when thousands of American servicemen were stationed in the town. Interactive displays and engaging storytelling bring history to life for the whole family.
Stop for dinner before heading to the Charleville Cosmos Centre for their night-time experiences. Here, the stars feel almost close enough to touch with powerful telescopes revealing Saturn’s rings, distant galaxies and the shimmering Milky Way in breath-taking clarity.
A fantastic experience to round out your first day in Outback Queensland.
Day 2: Quilpie
Delay today’s departure to Quilpie until 9.15am to view the BOM Weather Balloon Launch at the Charleville Airport precinct. This giant weather balloon offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Australia forecasts its weather.
Depart Charleville and head west to Quilpie aka God’s country.
Once you arrive in Quilpie, check into The Lake and enjoy a refreshing swim, cast a line or take a ride around the lake.
As evening falls, head into town for dinner at The Brick Hotel and the Quilpeta Night Show, where a charming, animated character shares local stories under the Outback night sky.
Return to your accommodation at The Lake for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 3: Quilpie
Quilpie is opal country. Spend the morning fossicking for your own treasure — the kids will love the thrill of the hunt, and you just might uncover a sparkling souvenir. Grab a fossicking kit from the Visitor Information Centre and head to a local fossicking area.
Take a look through the Visitor Information Centre precinct and head to Lyn Barnes Gallery. Lyn’s work is recognised for its vivid depiction of not only the intense blue skies and red earth of her home, but also of the people of the area that is sometimes referred to as Heartbreak Corner.
Take a drive out of town and head to Baldy Top, one of the most elevated points in South West Queensland. Explore caves and crevices, untouched by civilisation whilst traversing this magnificent boulder formation which was created naturally over millions of years.
Overnight at The Lake.
Day 4: Eromanga
Today’s drive takes you 106km along the sealed Diamantina Development Road to Eromanga where you will spend the day at the Eromanga Natural History Museum. Join the Australian Dinosaur Giants Tour – this world-class experience showcases some of Australia’s largest dinosaur discoveries. Families can even take part in a hands-on fossil preparation activity — an unforgettable way to connect with the prehistoric past.
Be sure to stop at Knot-a-Saurus Park for a selfie before you head back to Quilpie to Toogunna Plains Farmstay.
This authentic working property is a fifth-generation cattle and sheep station with luxury accommodation and tour experiences. Be sure to cap off your day with Toogunna’s Sunset Sandhills Tour, an unforgettable experience that will see your enjoy bubbles and a cheese platter as you take in the magic of an Outback sunset over Channel Country.
Overnight at Toogunna Plains.
Day 5: Charleville
Travel back to Charleville for one final day of discovery and Queensland’s sweetest stopover.
Just outside of Charleville, the Outback Date Farms offers a sweet stopover where visitors can tour the plantation, sample harvested dates and even enjoy a home-cooked date loaf for morning tea. The farm offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at food production in Australia’s arid zone.
Enjoy the morning at the date farm before returning to Charleville to check into your accommodation.
Head to the Warrego Yacht Club for lunch. The “Yachttie” as locals refer to it, serves up share plates, meals, desserts and wine and is known for its great meals and hospitality.
Stay overnight before tomorrow’s departure.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
WWII Secret Base
Uncover a hidden chapter of Australian history at Charleville WWII Secret Base. This must-do experience invites you to “enlist” and explore state-of-the-art interactive exhibitions featuring classified missions, wartime romances and the secret lives of the 3,500 United States Army Force personnel that were stationed in secrecy in the town during the 1940s.
Charleville Cosmos Centre
Experience the universe like never before at the Charleville Cosmos Centre. Beneath some of Australia’s clearest night skies, explore distant galaxies through powerful telescopes, join immersive planetarium shows and uncover the secrets of the solar system with both their daytime and night time experiences.
The Lake
Just 4km from the charming town of Quilpie, The Lake is a stunning location nestled around Lake Houdraman. Swim, fish or ride around the lake, enjoy a spot of yabbying or birdwatching, take a private station tour, pick mulberries or chat with other guests at the onsite bar that opens after 5pm. A highlight of a trip to The Lake is their onsite artesian bathhouse (additional charges apply).
Eromanga Natural History Museum
Head to the Eromanga Natural History Museum to meet “Cooper” – a titanosaur that once shook the ground over 95 million years ago. Get close to the action at the museum’s fossil preparation lab, carefully brushing away ancient dust to reveal the bones of giants or see their technicians at work in the onsite lab.
Toogunna Plains Farmstay
Tucked between the towns of Quilpie and Eromanga, Toogunna Plains is a fifth-generation cattle and sheep station that allows guests to see the day-to-day workings of life on the land. A highlight of a stay at Toogunna is their Sunset Sandhills Tour. Enjoy bubbles and a cheese platter as you take in the magic of an Outback sunset over the Channel Country
Outback Dates Farm
Just outside of Charleville, the Outback Date Farm offers a sweet stopover where visitors can tour the plantation, sample harvested dates and even enjoy a home-cooked date loaf for morning tea. The farm offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at food production in Australia’s arid zone.
Charleville Bilby Experience
Discover one of Outback Queensland’s most heartwarming wildlife encounters at the Save the Bilby Fund. Charleville’s Bilby Experience invites you behind the scenes of vital conservation work protecting this endangered native species. Meet these elusive nocturnal icons up close, learn their remarkable survival story, and support a program helping bring the bilby back from the brink.