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50 Things to do in Outback Queensland (+ Planning Tips)

Discover some amazing and colourful terrain, explore untouched gorges, and visit unique areas of Australia. This is what you will experience when checking out the 50 Best Things to do in Outback Queensland. It’s a huge area covering 900,000 square kilometres across ever-changing scenery.

The locals are always welcoming, having been there for generations. This can bring you history, culture, and the True Blue Aussie atmosphere. There are obviously lots of opportunities or sights to see when discovering this area of Australia. Therefore, we have put together some of the highlights of Outback QLD below that you should consider adding to your list + some planning tips to help you tick them off!

This post was written by Chris of Aquarius Traveller

Table of Contents

• 1.1 How to Get Around Outback Queensland
• 1.2 Best Time to Visit Outback Queensland
• 1.3 Outback Queensland Accommodation (Where to Stay)
• 1.4 Safety Tips for Outback Queensland
• 2.1 Things to do in Winton
• 2.2 Things to do in Longreach
• 2.3 Cobbold Gorge
• 2.4 Things to do in Barcaldine
• 2.5 Girraween National Park
• 2.6 Porcupine Gorge
• 2.7 Mitchell’s Great Artesian Spa
• 2.8 Carnarvon Gorge National Park
• 2.9 Charleville
• 2.10 McKinlay
• 2.11 Silo Art at Yelarbon
• 2.12 Things to do in Mount Isa
• 2.13 Birdsville

Essential Planning Tips for Your Visit to Outback Queensland

How to get around outback queensland.

Most of the common routes or journeys are provided on comfortable and sealed bitumen roads. This makes most of Outback Queensland viewable by any mode of transport.

Keep in mind though, that some of the sites to see are recommended for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Taking a four-wheel-drive or high clearance vehicle along for the journey will open up different and unique areas and well worth the extra consideration.

Not only that, but driving early morning or at dusk will attract Kangaroos to the roads, and therefore become more dangerous driving in a smaller vehicle. It’s best to avoid these times for driving, in any case.

Best Time to Visit Outback Queensland

Due to large temperature differences and scorching summers, heat will become a major factor to consider when visiting Outback Queensland.

The touring season tends to be around the winter months, and anything between April and October is more tolerable. Also, be aware that the nighttime temperatures can drop more than 15 degrees. In winter, this could be down as low as 1 or 2 degrees, so it’s advisable to pack options for clothing layers.

Rain in Outback Queensland is limited, and you will see this with the dry and desolate surroundings.

During the day, always carry plenty of water to protect from dehydration. In the summer, allocations to water supplies need to be increased.

Outback Queensland Accommodation (Where to Stay)

This is where you most likely to see the Great Australian Aussie Nomad, camping their way through the country. This means caravans, campers, tents, and swags are probably the most commonly used. Caravan Parks allow you a cheaper style of accommodation while carrying your personal creature comforts with you.

Alternatively, there are plenty of cabins, hotels, or motel accommodations to suit your style or budget. Although, some of the more remote regions can get a little higher priced, depending on the area.

Safety Tips for Outback Queensland

• Travelling anywhere in Outback Queensland, you do need to be mindful that phone service is limited. Although, there’s sometimes Wi-Fi in fixed accommodations, and data could be available in the towns.
• You should always carry extra supplies (especially water) for the long road trip journeys or exploring the sites to see.
• Travelling during the day will deter animal accidents, ensure service stations are open, and other cars will be on the road to help if needed.
• If you don’t know already, Australia is known for its deadly animals , so don’t approach or touch anything. This includes the wild Kangaroos! Most wildlife will probably run away from you, but best to stay aware and admiring from a distance.
• It’s always handy to carry a first aid kit with you for any minor issues.

Places to Visit & 50 Things to do in Outback Queensland

(we’ve bolded the 50 things to do in Outback Queensland under each of the headings below, I hope it makes it easier for you to plan your trip and gets you super excited to get out there!)

Things to do in Winton

The small town of  Winton  has a population of 1600 people and is located in central Queensland. It’s a major point of interest for everyone to discover the Outback Dinosaur trail and should not be missed. This draws thousands of tourists each year and a popular one for educating the kids about the Dinosaurs roaming the earth, millions of years ago.

The Age of Dinosaur Museum is a popular exhibit that takes you to three different areas of digging the bones up, surmising the stories of how they got there, and a replica canyon creation.

Alternatively, Winton also holds one of the largest collections of old trucks in the Diamondtina Truck Museum . As well as an exploration into the Bladensburg National Park and seeing very unusual rock formations at Rangelands Station . If you’re feeling artistic, then visit the Musical fence and try to band some chords together on their welded instruments.

No visit to Winton would be complete without seeing the Waltzing Matilda Centre , which doubles as Winton’s Tourist information centre. The museum tells the story of Banjo Patersons creation of Waltzing Matilda and the role of the Combo Waterhole, the Exhibition tells about WW1, the Art Gallery displays travelling exhibitions, and the Qantilda Museum tells the story and history of the Winton Shire.

Things to do in Longreach

Two of the biggest drawcards you will find in  Longreach  are the Qantas Founders Outback Museum and the Australia Stockman’s Hall of Fame Museum . Both facilities are museums to teach or show you the history of Outback Queensland and the rest of Australia.

Firstly at the Qantas Museum, you will see how flight transport has been used and changed over the years. Find out the differences between how they were built back then, to the variances of today’s machines. In the Airpark, you can tour four different Qantas planes, pretend to be a pilot in the cockpit or even walk out onto the wing of a 747 plane. All this can be done in a day, and you won’t regret your visit.

The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame holds so much history of Outback Australian Life. See how the men and women worked the land, the types of machinery they used, and the tough conditions they endured. You have several levels of exhibits to walk through, as well as a live performance, sheep, and dog show.

Longreach also has some great big sky moments, making it a fantastic place to catch an outback sunset ( as can be seen from the photo higher up the page! ), or to spend a night stargazing .

Cobbold Gorge

Cobbold Gorge is located in the northern part of Outback Queensland and only 5 hours drive from the coastal highway. It’s grown in popularity over the years, having the first-ever glass walking bridge over the gorge . (photo of the spectacular glass bridge is above)

Cobbold Gorge is not very large, but one boat trip down the narrow slot canyon, and you will be amazed at its beauty. This is one spot situated on private land, and you will need to book tours with the onsite company to see it.

You have 3 choices between boat tours, stand-up paddleboarding , and helicopter tours . The boat tour is obviously the most convenient and the most popular, but the stand-up paddle boarding tends to have fewer people and a more quiet and peaceful experience.

The whole area has been fitted with campsites and other accommodations, along with a restaurant, bar, and infinity pool. If you enjoy natural water-formed rock canyons, then you need to add Cobbold Gorge to your list.

Things to do in Barcaldine

Known as the Garden City of the West, Barcaldine (named after a region in Oban, Scotland), is the home of the Tree of Knowledge , a historical site that is credited as the birthplace of the Australian labour movement.

The tree was inscribed in the Queensland Heritage Register in October 1992 but was poisoned and killed in 2006. The culprit was never found. However, several cuttings from the tree that were propagated before its death are now growing in Barcaldine and there is a dedicated memorial on the spot where the original tree stood, which is lit up at night and makes for a highlight of any visit to the town.

While you’re there we also recommend you immerse yourself in the history of the region with a visit to the Australian Workers Heritage Centre , Barcaldine and District Historical Museum and a visit to the Dunraven Station (a sheep station that has been run by the same family for over 100 years); and when you’re cultured up, go wildlife spotting on the Lagoon Creek Track, take a dip in the Lara Wetlands or channel your inner college kid with a bar crawl along Oak Street (the main street in town).

Girraween National Park

If you’re into some brilliant hikes and fantastic views, then you might like to visit the Girraween National Park. It’s located in Southern Country Queensland and just 30 minutes south of the town of Stanthorpe.

One of the more popular hikes is the Pyramid Track , which can be very challenging at the end. The extra effort is worth it for the views at the top while visiting the famous Balancing Rock . Unusual rock formations are in an abundance in this area, and you will witness natural creations like Australia’s version of the Sphinx and another shaped like a turtle.

Porcupine Gorge

If you manage to venture to North West Queensland after some rain, you won’t be disappointed. Most of the year, Porcupine Gorge can be very dry, which allows you to explore and walk over the creek bed. Over the years, water has eroded deep crevices and holes, which doubles as brilliant rock pools for swimming.

If the area is too dry, these rock pools are very stagnant and not great for swimming, but after some rain, can be very refreshing. What makes this gorge unique is a large rock-formed Pyramid overlooking the area and sometimes referred to as Australia’s Little Grand Canyon .

Mitchell’s Great Artesian Spa

Sit back and relax in one of the many hot artesian baths available to you all over Outback Queensland. Artesian water is free-flowing, spring water that comes from underground wells. Unlike traditional wells, pressure brings water in artesian wells to the surface naturally, where others need a pump. The water temperature can be anything close to 40 degrees Celsius, and essentially, it feels like a hot bath.

The Mitchell Great Artesian Spa centre holds a regular pool and another with artesian waters, so you can interchange between the two of them for a relaxing soak. Reap the benefits of the swim with things like removing toxins from the body, relieving sore muscles, and producing healthy skin.

Carnarvon Gorge National Park

About 8 hours’ drive inland from Brisbane you have the ever-popular Carnarvon Gorge. This is one place you will need a few days, to a week to explore its natural beauty. The main hike down the gorge is 22 kilometres return, and this is a long day’s hike on its own. You will spend the day trekking down both sides of the Gorge while crossing the stream several times.

Along the way, you have a few shorter routes coming off the track to see some particular and unique areas of the Gorge. This includes the Moss Garden, Amphitheatre, Wards Canyon, Art Gallery, and Boowinda Bluff . The hike as a whole is fairly easy, with very little elevation and stairs only in a few sections.

Apart from that, you have several other smaller hikes you can split between the day’s relaxation and recovery. There are both cabins and two camping locations available to stay in the National Park. Alternatively, you have options to stay an hour away in a small town called Rolleston .

Charleville

Practically anywhere you find yourself in Outback QLD, you will be treated to some incredible big sky moments. But if you would like to kick it up a notch, be sure to visit the Charleville Cosmos Centre and tea a peek at what is up there via the 14″ Meade telescopes at the Big Sky Observatory.

As the largest town in Murweh Shire, Charleville also has plenty of other attractions and things to do to keep visitors occupied. Visit the Secret WWII Base where 3500 US Air Force personnel were stationed; get a glimpse into the iconic flying doctor service which provided medical services to outback communities at Charleville Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre or join two of the ‘Secret’ tours – Stars and Secrets Tour (for local lore) and WWII Secrets Tour .

The Walkabout Creek Hotel – home of Crocodile Dundee , in the town of McKinlay – came to represent what the rest of the world knew about the Aussie outback – and for a lot of people, has remained their only interaction with it.

Today the town has a tiny population of under 200 people but is home to much-loved relics and bits of memorabilia from the film including Mick’s Truck and the original bar still standing proudly in the Walkabout Creek Hotel. Additionally, you’ll find Queensland’s smallest library and museum (on Middleton Street) and the Crafty Old School House’s Coolibah Tree – created from vintage metal objects collected from stations in the area.

Silo Art at Yelarbon

Chasing the Silo art trail around Australia has become increasingly popular over the years. Displays and followers started in country Victoria and have slowly ventured into the other states over the years. Queensland alone has only a few painted Silo Art Pieces, and one is located at Yelarbon. This is not far from Goondiwindi and very close to the New South Wales Border. It won’t require a lengthy stop to see it, but you can learn about the artist, and the story depicted in the painting.

Things to do in Mount Isa

Mt Isa is billed as the heart of North Queensland, an oasis in the Outback, and a great starting point for your outback adventure (especially with its proximity to Longreach and Winston, above).

Nestled among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on the banks of the Leichhardt River, Mount Isa is a bustling melting pot of culture and industry and has lots for visitors to see and do.  Learn about mining culture on the Hard Time Mine Tour ; dust off your cowboy boots and soak in the vibes at the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo – the southern hemisphere’s largest rodeo; take in the views of Transport Bay when you catch a sunset at Lake Moondarra; visit the Mary Kathleen Mine  – an old Uranium mine which gives of old western/John Wayne vibes; and see the city lights in the outback from the Mt Isa City Lookout .

This tiny outback town, population 115, is home to some big events! Back a winner at the famous Birdsville Races ; enjoy a bevvie and curried camel pie at the Birdsville Hotel , dance the night away at the Birdsville Big Red Bash (which is also one of the highest sand dunes in the Simpson Desert) and laze the day away with the birdlife, fish, yabbies and marsupials at the Birdsville Billabong .

And that’s a wrap guys! We hope our outback Queensland guide has been helpful in planning your trip and introduced you to some of the incredible sights, sounds and national parks in Outback Queensland Australia. And if you can’t get out there just yet – you could always head to the popular Outback Steakhouse Queensland for their famous chicken and shrimp pasta. It’s pretty darn good!

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46 Best Things to do in Outback Queensland with Map

Do you want to know some of the best things to do in Outback Queensland? Then you have come to the right place and I have a full list of adventures I’m just itching to share with you?

After spending various trips through the Outback over the past couple of years, I thought I would pass on some of the experiences I had exploring this area of Australia. This will let you know your options, what to expect and help you decide where you’re stopping.

So, lets get to the list and start planning your journey!

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please read my disclaimer, T&C’s & privacy policy here .

My Top Picks of Things to do in Outback Queensland

Outback Queensland cover an area of over 900 Square Kilometres, with sealed and dirt roads, along with recommended 4 Wheel Drive Areas. Please find my specially pinned map here to help you round down the different locations and plan out your journey.

1. Cobbold Gorge

Cobbold Gorge has increased it’s popularity over the past few years and has grown to be a “Must do” stop. I found the gorge itself was the smallest I have seen, but didn’t disappoint on it’s beauty.

It does happen to be on private land, so accessing the gorge on your own is not possible. Luckily, they have a great set up with options of Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP), Boat tours and Helicopter flights to help you see it from different aspects.

On top of that, accommodations vary with different types of Cabins, caravan and camping sites. There are also options to stay at Forsayth which might be a little cheaper, but will require a 2 hour return trip along a corrugated road to get there.

2. Porcupine Gorge

We are always looking for free things to when road tripping around and hiking is a great way to save some money. So, Just a little north of Hughenden there is Porcupine Gorge . with a couple of different viewing spots. Although, If you’re really keen, then walking the 1.4 kilometres down into the gorge is really beautiful.

If you manage to visit when there is more water around, then it might be a good option to pack the swimmers and make a day of it. But, our visit was very dry and hardly any water around. However this did make the water calm for photo’s and reflections.

3. Julia Creek Artesian Baths

Have you ever heard of the Julia Creek Artesian Baths ? These relaxing Bath Tubs are filled with artesian water that comes straight from a geological formation deep underground.

The temperature ranges from 38 to 41 degrees Celsius, making it nice and toasty for a soothing dip. And if you want to make a weekend out of it, there’s even a caravan park on-site! Trust me, your body and muscles will thank you for the purification and detoxing abilities.

4. Undara Lava Tubes

Ancient volcanoes formed the Undara Lava Tubes in Queensland’s gulf savannah country over 190,000 years ago. Huge rivers of lava flowed through the earth, leaving behind empty tubes that are now open for exploration and tour.

Some of these lava tubes stand 15 metres tall, offer a unique look at natural history, and provide insight into volcanic activity millions of years ago. Visitors can take guided tours through the caves, learning about the formation process and seeing diverse plant and animal life within the tube ecosystem.

5. Mount Isa

Known as the Outback capital of Queensland, Mount Isa is famous for its mining industry. The city offers the Hard Times mining tour, where visitors can learn about mining life and try their hand at mining tasks. But there’s more to this outback town than mining – it also hosts the annual Mount Isa Rodeo, complete with bull riding and barrel racing.

And did you know that Mount Isa is also an important paleontological site? The nearby Riversleigh Fossil Centre showcases fossils from prehistoric animals, making it a must-see stop for any history buffs. And don’t forget to check out the city lookout for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

6. Lawn Hill National Park

Lawn Hill is located in Queensland’s northwestern region, close to the border of the Northern Territory. Its aboriginal name, Boodjamulla, means Rainbow Serpent Country and is one of Australia’s most scenic National Parks.

The park is known for its gorge country and sandstone ranges and abundant freshwater. Or more specifically, from the Lawn Hill Creek, Adels Grove, and acclaimed Indarri Falls. Lawn Hill National Park has everything from walking trails to dedicated viewing platforms and camping grounds. So whether you’re into bird watching or canoeing, or want to relax by crystal clear waters, don’t miss a visit to this fantastic piece of outback Australia.

7. Walkabout Creek Hotel

Have you ever had a hankering to visit outback pubs in Australia? Walkabout Creek Hotel is located in the heart of McKinley, which was made famous by the Australian Film Crocodile Dundee. This cozy pub offers delicious food and drinks to quench your thirst after a day spent exploring northwest Queensland.

Grab a drink and soak in the Australian atmosphere, surrounded by enough taxidermy to rival any museum. Whether you’re just passing through or making it your base camp for adventure, Walkabout Creek Hotel is the perfect spot for an authentic outback experience.

8. Mary Kathleen Mine

The Mary Kathleen Mine might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Australia. Still, it’s actually a significant part of our history. Located in the Selwyn Range in Queensland, this mine produced approximately 8000 tons of uranium oxide from 1954 to 1963. The discovery and development of the mine were led by two men, Clem Walton and Norm McConachy.

Today, the Mary Kathleen Mine is abandoned. However, it has become a popular destination for adventurous tourists looking to explore its eerie remains and incredible water colour. From its humble beginnings as an accidental discovery to its role in shaping Australian industry, the Mary Kathleen Mine certainly adds a unique chapter to our country’s story.

9. Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond

Discover additions on the Dinosaur Trail by visiting Richmond and the Kronosaurus Korner. This fossil museum houses over 1150 specimens from marine reptiles, fishes, ammonites, and squids from over 100 million years ago.

There’s something for all fossil fans at this interactive museum. So, take advantage of where you can get up close and personal with life-sized replicas of dinosaurs. Spend a day exploring the history of Earth with Kronosaurus Korner, and don’t forget your camera!

10. Rangelands Station

Rangelands Station is a privately owned working cattle station where erosion has formed and created long channels through the rock. If your into Natural rock formations is a nice addition for your adventures in the Winton region. Since it’s private property, normally this one is only available on tour from the small town of Winton.

➡  Find Winton Accommodation HERE with Booking.com, or Tours HERE with Get your Guide

11. Bladensburg National Park

Bladensburg National Park has a number of different sites to see like Mitchell Grass Downs and Channel Country. If your lucky to spot them, you also have some unique birdlife, plants and animals to encounter along the way. It’s only 7 kilometres from Winton itself and easy enough to explore on your road trip.

It offers you a look into station history at the old Homestead and surrounding buildings and Shearing Shed. As well as a concentrated and beautiful collection of Winton’s landscapes.

You are welcome to camp at Bough Shed Hole, which is also a popular swimming spot. Maybe stop off for a picnic lunch at Engine Hole or explore Scrammy gorge for those views.

12. Waltzing Matilda Centre

The Waltzing Matilda centre is also the Tourist information centre for the Winton area. This holds a lot of history and displayed as a museum, Art Gallery and a number of different exhibits.

This is a new centre, reborn in 2018, as unfortunately the original one was destroyed by fire in 2015. The museum tells the story of Waltzing Matilda (Song written by Banjo Patterson), the Exhibition tells about WW1, the Art Gallery displays travelling exhibitions, and lastly the Qantilda Museum tells the story and history of the Winton Shire.

13. Age of Dinosaurs

One of the Biggest highlights and one of the best things to do in Winton , is learning about the dinosaurs that roamed the area millions of years ago.

We ended up purchasing the package deal called the Ultimate Dinosaur pass. This package takes about 3 hours and has 3 different sections of the museum to see and you have a number of different tours time throughout the day to choose.

➡  Compare prices for Winton Tours HERE with Get your Guide

The sections include the Fossil Prep Laboratory, The Collection Room and Dinosaur Canyon. Which lead you into different aspects of uncovering the dinosaur bones, telling the story of what happen, and walking among replica scenes.

14. Lark Quarry

The Lark Quarry Dinosaur Stampede is located 110km southwest of the small town of Winton. It contains one of the most incredible records of dinosaur behaviour with over 3,000 fossilized footprints. Surprisingly, these have been found in an area just 30 by 50 meters, indicating a massive stampede.

The herd seems to have consisted mostly of small carnivorous dinosaurs over 95 million years ago from the Cretaceous Period. The Lark Quarry is open for tours, allowing visitors to see these ancient tracks for themselves and imagine what could have caused this chaotic stampede millions of years a go.

Note:  Did you know that Steven Spielberg based his dinosaur stampede in the Jurassic Park movie from the evidence in the Lark Quarry

15. Truck Museum

Officially called Winton’s Diamondtina heritage truck & machinery museum where there is a history lesson on how Australia’s transport pioneers carved a road transport network. They recognise the men and women who contributed and drove all these great machines of the past.

It was first opened in 2007, and established by a group of community minded truck enthusiasts who collected a number of different additions. You can venture through the undercover sheds or check out all the rough diamonds out the back.

Highlights of the collection are the legendary lady truckie, Toots Holzheimer, who pioneered to truck route from Cairns to Weipa. Other additions you could see are an 1890 Ruston stationary steam engine, 1910 Talbot, 1934 dodge Fargo and Several Leland trucks.

16. Three Moon Silo Art

If you’re on a road trip and looking for some unique outdoor art, look no further than the Monto addition to the silo art trail. The silos, though seemingly an unorthodox canvas, provide a dramatic backdrop for the vibrant colours and striking designs.

Artists Joel Fergie & Travis Vinson worked together to bring this particular silo to life. It’s a painting portraying a local Aboriginal stockman boiling his billy while watching the moon.

17. Qantas Founders Museum

Exploring the Longreach attractions wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Qantas Founders Outback Museum. This has been on my radar for a few years and really glad I had an opportunity to finally do it.

➡  See Longreach Tours HERE with GYG, or find Accommodation HERE with Booking.com

The different sections consist of a night Luminescence show, walking through the Qantas Airpark, the inside museum exhibits, and walking out on the wing of the 747 plane.

The night tour was to see the Luminescence show and the Morning tour walked us the through the museum, Guided Airpark tour & a Wing walk on the 747 plane. The evening tour took about 1 hour and we spent about 5 hours in the Museum and Airpark. But, my highlight was walking on the wing of the Boeing 747 as I haven’t seen anything like this around the world.

18. Australian Stockmans Hall of Fame

The Australian Stockmans Hall of fame is a museum tribute to the pioneers of the the Australia Outback along with the Stockman who shown bravery and courage working the lands. The statue out the front is named “The ringer” and was sculpted to mark the opening of the centre in 1988.

You enter the museum and find there is a couple of different floors with six themed galleries depicting an important aspect of the pioneering history. The Discovery Centre, the Pioneers, Outback Property’s, Royal Flying Doctors, Stocks Workers & an Art Gallery.

I’m told there is more than 1200 items currently on display but ever growing with new donations and increased exhibits. These comprise of objects, Images, audio visual presentations and open displays to tell the story of Outback Australia.

19. Carnarvon Gorge National Park

Carnarvon Gorge has a number of different sites to enjoy and hike around. The trails are fairly easy (in the main section) and not much elevation, just really long (depending on where you go). 

Your journey will take you up the sides of the Gorge, crossing at a number of different spots. As well as a number of detours off the main track to see some gorgeous spots. My favourites would have to be the moss garden and the amphitheatre, along with mickey creek and warumbah on a separate own track. 

20. Tree of Knowledge

If you’re passing through Barcaldine, then take 10 minutes to stop off and check out the Tree of Knowledge Ghost gum. It symbolises the foundation of the organised representation of labour in Queensland. As well as being added to the Heritage register in 1992.

21. Blackdown Tablelands National Park

My happy place is anywhere in the water, so I love finding new places to swim in the wild. The Blackdown Tablelands National Park has a small camping ground and a number of different hikes to do. I was looking for some rock pools, but ending up loving the nice cool waters of Rainbow Falls .

The water wasn’t running heaps, so the pool was a little still, but clear as and had a sandy bottom. The 2klm hike including 240 steps, which was a little harsh on the way out, and felt like I needed another swim…lol.

22. Emerald

Located in the Central highlands area, the small town of Emerald got its name from the nearby lush green hills. This region is home to the world’s largest sapphire fields and contains the biggest Van Gogh Sunflower painting at 25 metres high.

The National Trust listed Railway Station, built in 1900 and restored in the mid-eighties, is a sight to see. It features wrought iron lacework and a pillared portico. The Emerald Town Hall has an ancient fossilized tree that is estimated to be over 250 million years old.

23. Welford National Park

About an hour’s drive outside of Windorah, in Western Queensland, you have the Welford National Park . Although it’s only a small park, it does have camping, and you can spend a couple of days exploring the sites.

One of the biggest drawcards for me was seeing those vibrant red sand dunes. But, this is a four-wheel-drive area, and the popular Desert Drive can be done on a day trip from Windorah.

24. Channel Country Tourist Park

Ultimately, the Channel Country Tourist Park is a place to stay with both Camping and Cabins accommodations in Quilpie. Alternatively, you have a unique experience with Hot Artesian water being used in Spa Baths (which is why we stopped here). Obviously, this makes for a relaxing experience all day, or while your watching the sunset.

25. Windorah

Windorah is a small country town located in Channel Country, or the Barcoo Shire. This is your first look at the bright red sand with the Sand Hills or the Welford National Park. You could easily spend a few days exploring the different areas, or simply watching the amazing sunsets.

26. Quilpie Opal fossicking

Have you ever dreamt of fossicking for your very own opal? Quilpie is home to some of the world’s most beautiful opals. And the best part? It’s free, and you don’t even need a permit!

The fossicking paradise is located near the airport, just on the outskirts of town. But visitors beware – opals can sometimes be challenging to identify or find with changing conditions.

27. Baldy Top Lookout

The Baldy Top lookout is about seven kilometres or 10 minutes outside the town of Quilpie. It’s only a short walk to the top but gives you a perfect, clear view of the Outback valley floor.

If you’re lucky to catch it on the right day with some high cloud cover, you can see something like in the photo below. The great thing is, this spot is good for sunrise or sunset.

28. Roma Cattle Sales yards

The Roma Saleyards in Queensland attracts buyers from all over Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. Spread across 50 hectares of land, these auction yards sell over 100,000 head of cattle every year.

The offers take place every Tuesday, bringing in droves of potential buyers and sellers from the agriculture industry. Plus, the atmosphere during an auction is electric – it’s truly a unique experience, and tours are offered for visitors.

29. Hydro Power Plant

The red desert may seem like an unlikely location for a hydropower plant, but that’s exactly what can be found in the remote town of Thargomindah. The plant is powered by water from the Great Artesian Basin and is part of the Natural Sciences loop. It uses natural pressure to generate electricity for street lighting.

While it may only provide energy on a small scale, it proves that even the most unexpected places can have sustainable resources waiting to be tapped into.

30. Charlotte Plains Station

Spend a couple of days on a Sheep property and unwind in your very own Bath tub full of Hot Artesian Water. This is exactly what your going to get at Charlotte Plains Station and the unique open-air hot tubs experience.

It’s located about 40 minutes outside of Cunnamulla and offering both Camping and cabin accommodations. 

31. Eromanga Natural History Museum

The Eromanga Natural History Museum is part of the Dinosaur trail, which includes Winton, Hughenden, and Richmond. We only stop for a few hours, but this was enough time to take the tour, have some lunch and be on our way.

The museum was only a short one hour tour and tells the story about “Cooper & George”, the Largest Dinosaur bones found in Australia. There is a very nice, new centre developed with a small café for drinks and snacks. Eventually, they will take you out the back to see the replica bones, the process in order to uncover the bones, and where they were found.

Note: Definitely take advantage of the Wildflowers in the area and keep an eye out on the side of the road. Between Eromanga and Windorah was where I saw the most.

32. Betoota Pub

The Betoota Pub is one of the most remote and incredibly popular pubs to visit. Surpassingly, the town itself has a population of just one – who is the pub’s owner, so it’s patrons are all travelling around the area?

It was built in the 1880s and nestled between the tiny towns of Windorah and Birdsville. Right on the edge of the Simpson Desert! It’s a true oasis for weary travellers, offering up cold beers and tasty pub grub. It’s just a short few minutes via off the main highway, so remember to stop in and say “Gidday”!

33. Big Red Sand Dune

Well, you can’t get any more remote than making it to Birdsville. About 16 Hours west of Brisbane and very close to the South Australian and Northern Territory border. This is the Simpson Desert and where you will find the Big Red Sand Dune which is high on peoples bucket list.

This is the first and the highest Sand dune, out of 1140 Dunes, driving into the Munga-Thirri National Park. It stands 40 metres high, and doesn’t seem to be that difficult to get up, but you do need to have your 4WD basics down. 

Note: Don’t want to drive up yourself, then you can take a tour !

34. Dreamtime Serpent Rock

The Dream Serpent Rock will be a short 15 minute stop in between Birdsville and Betoota. If you’re travelling into Birdsville, it’s signed as a rest stop on the right-hand side of the road. The Art piece depicted below is straight across the road and a must-see when touring.

This is the Dreamtime Serpent Rock, So huge it was only possible to photograph in its entirety with my drone. This is an Indigenous Art instalment placed on a hill made out of rocks and dirt supplied in the area.

35. Roma Bottle Tree

Roma has heaps of bottle trees around, but have you ever seen one with a girth of 9.5 metres? If you just passing through, then take 10 mins to stop off and see this marvel of nature.

36. Cosmos Centre

The town of Charleville has so much to offer a tourist and a big hit for every kind of traveller. Due to the Cosmos Centre , I find it’s advertised as the darkest area for watching the stars, but you can literally see this anywhere in the Outback.

The Cosmos Centre does allow you to view the sun and stars from high-powered telescopes and a worthwhile experience. We only managed to stay two nights here and there is plenty of accommodation to chose from , but definitely could have used a couple more for the activities.

37. Bilby Experience

The Australian Bilby experience is definitely a must, which is located right next to the Tourist Information centre in Charleville. It’s only a short one hour tour, which starts with finding out about the Bilby, and what protections are in place for their survival. Then finally, walking out the back into the red lit room to see them running around.

38. Weather Balloon Release

Did you know that Charleville has the weather balloon releasing every morning at 915 at the airport? It was very cool to see, but I can’t stress enough to make sure you arrive with plenty of time! Since it won’t wait for you and it takes the Balloon mere moments to disappear into the clouds.

Note: Listen out for the sirens when it’s about to be released.

39. Great Artesian Spa

Visiting a Hot spa is a great addition to your bucket list in the outback. The Mitchell Great Artesian Spa just looks like a normal pool, but happens to be around 40 degrees and fed from the bore. It’s like a giant natural bath…lol.

There is a small entry fee and you can stay as long as you want in the centre. Although they do recommended 15 minute intervals between the Hot Spa and the normal pool, so you don’t overheat and dehydrate. 

40. The Unique Egg Shop

St George is the home of the Unique Egg Shop where a self taught Artist transforms large Emu eggs into an illuminated display piece. You can pay a small charge and see display in the back, but also enter the store and learn about Stavros ‘Steve’ Margaritis and his passion for his work over the years. 

41. Yelarbon Silo

You probably know that these Painted Silo’s are all around Australia and new ones are popping up at the time. This particular one is located about 30 minutes outside of Goondiwindi near the border of Queensland and New South Wales.

If your passing by then it’s worth stopping off for 10 mins to appreciate the work that goes into displaying these beautiful art pieces.

42. Sunflower Farms

Sunflowers are very much seasonal and only around for 2 to 3 weeks after blooming. I’m not that big into flowers, but to see these Sunflowers fields in person was incredible.

I was lucky to be passing by Warwick in November, and it was just announced a day before that they were flowering. Typically, they tend to flower from January to March, so these ones were a little early.

This field was on the corner of the New England Highway and Willowvale Road. But alternatively, you can find others at Allora, Toowoomba , Cambooya & Nobby.

43. Girraween National Park

There are lots of hiking opportunity’s available at the Girraween National Park . However, I completed the Pyramid Track and the Sphinx & Turtle Rock track.

The Pyramid Track was the shorter of the two ( 2 hours return), but the end was difficult and not for the faint-hearted. The first three-quarters had lots of stairs and average hiking. The last quarter has you scaling a large rock formation and extremely steep.

The Sphinx & Turtle rock track took a little longer or around three hours to return. The was still a lot of uphill section and stairs, but definitely easier than the Pyramid Track.

Overall, the boulders and rock formations are stunning, surrounding the Girraween National Park. The Cicada’s couldn’t have been more hypnotising with their noise.

44. Thallon Silo Art

The Thallon Silo art is located in the Ballone Shire, a rural town in southwestern Queensland. The silos were transformed into vibrant masterpieces by artists Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson, including this popular piece, “The Watering Hole.” Not only does the art bring colour to the Australian countryside, but it also promotes tourism and economic growth in the area.

45. Nindigully Pub

With a history dating back to 1864, the Nindigully pub is said to be the oldest pubs in its original condition. Located on the banks of Moonie River, it was originally a stopping point for the horse-drawn coach company Cobb & Co. Not only that, but used in the 1999 Australia film “Paperback Hero”, with Hugh Jackman.

Today, this historic pub still offers a rustic charm and a taste of outback hospitality, serving up cold beer and fresh meals. While the establishment may not have all the modern amenities found elsewhere, it more than makes up for it with its unique atmosphere and sense of history.

46. Sunrise & Sunsets

The Sunrises and Sunset’s in the outback are always more defined and you can see some amazing colours. This can obviously be done anywhere on your outback adventures.

I think with less smog and pollutions from city living, the gorgeous colours come out to play and worth it to stop and appreciate your surroundings.

Wrap up on Things to do in Outback Queensland

Thanks for reading this blog today on the best things to do in Outback Queensland and hope you have found what your looking for. However, If you’re still researching, please look into more Outback Queensland Articles HERE , for planning and inspiration.

“Hi, travel enthusiasts! I’m Chris Fry, The Aquarius Traveller Blogger. I’ve been exploring the world since 2007, documenting my journeys through the lens of my camera. Having visited over 37 countries, I’ve gained first-hand experiences that help you plan your adventures."

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Outback Towns and Drives

Find a town, find a drive itinerary, outback traveller's guide, outback traveller’s guide 2024.

• Destinations
• National Parks
• Wildlife Experiences
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A Taste of the Queensland Outback: A 10-Day Road Trip

Updated August 2023

Despite the barrenness and heat, I’m fascinated by Australia’s interior.

Vast open spaces, apparent emptiness (which isn’t empty at all), sunburnt, dark red soil that is so uniquely Australian, and life far removed from what 95% of Australians know (paywall-restricted).

Australia’s outback is hot, harsh and tough beyond measure.

I’m fascinated by what it takes to live in such inhospitable conditions and admittedly, I know I could never live there myself. The long, hot summers would simply kill me. But in winter, it’s a different story and that’s when I get my chance to go out west.

Living on the east coast, you’re never far from people. Out west, you’re almost always far from people.

After a week, you’ll forget that traffic lights exist but take every opportunity to fill up with fuel. You’ll see more road kill than you have in a long time but soon you don’t even notice the carcasses on the road anymore. Your mobile phone stops working, so you simply turn it off and forget you own one.

Out here, life is slower and that forces you to slow down.

And winters are just about as perfect as can be.

GETTING A TASTE OF THE QUEENSLAND OUTBACK

The national parks in the Queensland Outback offer plenty of opportunities for camping, exploring, self-guided drives, and short hikes. And then there are the vibrant country towns with their small bakeries, grocery stores, amazing butchers, famous pubs, annual events, local museums, and increasing caravan parks catering to grey nomads.

We usually pop into a bakery or butcher in town when we need to refuel. But for the most part, our town stops tend to be very short and focused on getting supplies. And we don’t really hang around the (in)famous pubs either.

We go out west for the solitude, time away from life on the coast, and to explore a part of Australia we haven’t seen before.

Since the Outback is rather large, and sadly we don’t all have three months to travel across Australia, here’s my suggestion for spending a bit over a week in the Queensland Outback , focusing on three national parks: Idalia , Welford and Currawinya .

HEADING INTO OUTBACK QUEENSLAND: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Travelling into the Queensland Outback requires a certain amount of preparation .

While most of these places can technically be accessed in a 2WD-vehicle in the dry season, scenic drives within the national parks are usually limited to 4WDs .

With a campervan that has high clearance and careful driving, you could probably manage getting into these three national parks. Just be very mindful of road conditions and that you really don’t want to get stuck out there when it’s even vaguely wet. The scenic drives will be off-limits though.

Ensure you have or know the following:

• Know when to travel: Winter is the best time for outback travel. The days are cooler (mid-20°Cs) with occasionally frosty nights, and relatively little rain. April to September is best (my favourite time is June/July). Temperatures can be very high (40°C+) during summer, and many roads stay impassable long after rain.
• Ensure your vehicle has either a large fuel tank or dual tanks: Distances out here are vast and fuel becomes less and less available. Fill up whenever you can, even if you’re still 3/4 full as fuel stations are known to run out of fuel altogether. Blackall, Windorah, Quilpie, Thargomindah, Eulo will be your best stops for filling up along this loop.
• Carry (more than) sufficient water with you: We took 60L and used water very conservatively (think washing dishes once a day only, etc.). We filled up again in Quilpie (bore water) and used that for all washing and cooking needs from then on. Plan at least 5-7L per person per day.
• Be prepared for flies: We almost went as far as Blackall the year before and experienced virtually no flies. This time, there were flies everywhere. Apparently they weren’t as bad as a few weeks prior but they were sufficiently annoying that I was grateful for my mozzie/fly net, and chose to eat dinner inside the tent a few times.
• Be prepared for mozzies at Currawinya: The mosquitoes were so bad at our first campsite at Currawinya that I wanted to leave that night. It was an onslaught of buzzing insects. The bites didn’t hurt or itch terribly but the buzzing and biting was incessant. Our second site was somewhat better so choose your camping spot wisely. I actually developed Ross River Fever a few weeks (and still have flare-ups years later) later so protect yourself against mozzie bites.
• Pack clothes for cold and hot weather: Based on previous trips into Central Queensland during winter, I was prepared for seriously cold temperatures (scarf, gloves, puffer jacket, etc.). I didn’t need any of these on this trip (first week in July). Instead, I was really hot in my 3/4 leggings, and couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of throwing in a pair of shorts.
• Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen: We had four days of blue skies and sunshine, and I couldn’t have done without my hat. Even in winter, the sun is still strong out here.
• Don’t expect to have mobile coverage: Unless you’re with Telstra (and not just a carrier that uses the Telstra network), you won’t have coverage out here. Beyond the towns, you won’t even have access to emergency signals. Carry a PLB (personal locator beacon) and/or have UHF radio in your car in case of emergency or breakdown.
• Expect dust to get everywhere: The drier it’s been and the hotter the day, the more dust will get kicked up as you drive along these outback roads. Expect the red dust to get into everything and to stick. Protect your electronics by wrapping them up – I’d wrap up my camera in a top when I didn’t have it stored in the bag, just to protect it from the dust as we were driving.

A 10-DAY ITINERARY FOR OUTBACK QUEENSLAND

The problem with exploring Central Queensland is that it’s a long way from the coast. From the Sunshine Coast, you have to drive 1,000km just to get to the start of what’s considered the Queensland Outback. And you haven’t even gone anywhere yet.

But making it this far west is definitely worth it.

Doing this loop around Queensland’s Channel Country will give you a real taste of the outback. The towns become smaller, the roads narrower, the road trains longer, and the dirt increasingly redder.

If you want to get off the beaten path, this loop is for you. You won’t see too many Juicy vans, Britz motorhomes or grey nomads in their caravans beyond the towns leading to Longreach or Birdsville.

You can do this loop in either direction and add on plenty of side trips.

Keep in mind that doing this outback road trip is pretty ambitious , and requires moving every day or every second one. If that’s too intense for you, just take more time and add a few days to the itinerary.

We did this road trip in about 9 days , which was just about perfect for us. We clocked up about 3,800km altogether.

Of the 9 days, we had three travel days : Two days to get to our first stop at Idalia National Park, and one day to drive back home.

We had actually allowed two days to drive back home but we mixed up some directions and ended up driving home from Currawinya in one hit (not recommended unless you love driving long distances).

It was a long night…

DAY 1: SUNSHINE COAST / BRISBANE TO MITCHELL OR MORVEN

The drive out to Mitchell (~600km) or Morven (~700km) from the coast is pretty straightforward, it just takes a fair few hours. We usually like to get going early (6am or earlier) and then stop in Chinchilla for a coffee and a quick break.

Roma is a fairly sizeable country town along the way so if you need supplies, this would be a good place. We’ve been through Roma a few times, and once even stayed in a dodgy motel there, but have never really looked around the town much. I think we’re always in travel mode when we come through Roma.

If you break your journey in Mitchell , have a soak at the Great Artesian Spa . We did this the year before after about a week of hiking and camping in Central Queensland, and boy, was I happy to have a shower and a good long soak in the warm artesian waters!

The bakery in Mitchell is also quite famous, and popping in for a snack helps keep these country towns alive. (The husband has to repeatedly deal with my insistent ‘Let’s go in and buy you a nice treat to eat!’ suggestions since I usually can’t eat any of the treats.) 🙂

CAMPING OPTIONS

• Mitchell: Free camping along the Maranoa River at Neil Turner Weir and the smaller Fisherman’s Rest site – both very popular with caravans
• Morven: Camping at the Morven Recreational Facility ; $5 unpowered site

Both sites are fine for an overnight stop, even with a tent, though the spots at Mitchell are much prettier than Morven. On the other hand, the toilets were much cleaner at Morven when we stayed there.

DAY 2-3: MITCHELL / MORVEN TO IDALIA NATIONAL PARK

The drive from Morven to Idalia National Park takes about 7 hours (add an hour / 100km if coming from Mitchell).

We expected the Isisford-Blackall Road from Blackall to Idalia to be unsealed and slow-going. Good news is that it’s sealed all the way to the turnoff for the Blackall-Emmet Road, which then takes you into Idalia.

We stopped briefly in Blackall for fuel, and then went straight to Idalia, getting there by mid-afternoon.

IDALIA NATIONAL PARK

Idalia National Park is a great spot for a couple of days. Here you get to explore rocky escarpments, gorges and relics of a pastoral past.

We stayed two nights at the basic campground at Monks Tank , which seemed just the right amount of time. If you’re after a bit of downtime, plan an extra day or so.

There are a couple of short hikes at Idalia, one of which we ticked off the same day we arrived after setting up the tent. Wave Rock is best explored in the late afternoon light so off we went that first day.

The next morning we started early to hike the short but difficult Emmet Pocket Walk , which ended up being a completely flat walk with no difficulty – or views! – whatsoever.

The Bullock Gorge Walk is another short hike and definitely worth it as you get great views into the surrounding countryside from the escarpment. There are a few other sights to see, including Rainbow Gorge , but none of them will take much time.

READ MORE: A Guide to Idalia National Park

If you’re lucky, you might even spot an elusive yellow-tailed rock wallaby. The husband glimpsed one off Emmet Pocket Lookout .

• Idalia National Park: Monks Tank Camping Area
• Blackall: Camping along the Barcoo River , just outside of town; $5 unpowered site (popular with caravans)

DAY 4-5: IDALIA NATIONAL PARK TO WELFORD NATIONAL PARK

The drive from Idalia to Welford National Park is roughly 250km so not a big travel day.

Make your way back to the Isisford-Blackall Road, which becomes the Emmet-Yaraka Road at Emmet. This is a gorgeous drive as you pass by range after range.

The road is pretty much sealed all the way to Yaraka. Past the tiny settlement of Yaraka (fuel available), it’s more unsealed than sealed but was still in excellent condition (July 2019).

MOUNT SLOCOMBE

Before you get to Yaraka, definitely take the side trip to Mount Slocombe . You’ll get incredible 360° views from up the top, and there’s a fantastic picnic shelter, toilet and even (tank) water available.

This spot would be amazing for sunrise or sunset, you could see for miles around. Alas, we were there at 10:30am so simply had morning tea and headed off.

From there it’s another 100km to Welford, and though Google Maps suggests it’ll take 3.5 hours to get there, it only took us 2 hours to reach the boundary of the national park. More of the road has probably been sealed by now than what Google thinks but travel in the outback is also unpredictable so be prepared for things to take longer.

WELFORD NATIONAL PARK

Like at Idalia, we camped two nights at Welford National Park but unlike Idalia, Welford doesn’t offer much in terms of developed walking trails. Welford also feels much more desert-like than Idalia, which had a distinct rocky feel to it.

Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service have developed three scenic drives at Welford, with the Mulga Drive ending up being our favourite. It offered varied vegetation, and the red soil looked amazing in the late afternoon light.

The drives do take a few hours to drive so two days would be the absolute minimum you need to spend here if you want to explore all the drives.

READ MORE: A Guide to Welford National Park

The highlights at Welford are, no doubt, glistening clay pans, clear waterholes, and the little red sand dune, perfect for sunset watching.

CAMPING OPTION

• Welford National Park: Little Boomerang Waterhole Camping Area

DAY 6: WELFORD NATIONAL PARK TO KILCOWERA STATION

After Welford, you’ll have another long travel day ahead to get to Kilcowera Station an hour south of Thargomindah (~530km).

We left Welford early and stopped at the much-bigger-than-expected town of Quilpie to refuel and frequent the local bakery. 😉 In fact, I got a gluten-free lemon tart at the local supermarket AND a gluten-free passionfruit cheesecake at the bakery, couldn’t quite believe my luck!

If you need to refill water, there’s (bore) water available at the visitor centre but make sure to choose the tap with the sign on it. Otherwise it’ll be scalding hot as the bore water here comes out hot and has to be cooled down first.

Unlike in the Northern Territory, I didn’t find the bore water here particularly sulphuric or odd-tasting.

7km south of Quilpie is Baldy Rock Lookout from where you can get some nice views (so I’m told, we didn’t quite have the time to explore). If you’re staying in Quilpie for the night, I’d definitely do that. I bet sunset is pretty cool from there.

We left Quilpie around 12pm, and it took us another five hours to get to Kilcowera Station, some 90km past Thargomindah. (We did take a slightly more circuitous route though as we wanted to go through some more station country.)

We saw very few cars or trucks on our way from Quilpie to Kilcowera. This is where things really start feeling remote. As you pass by a few isolated stations, you can’t help but wonder how tough life must be out here.

KILCOWERA STATION

If you’ve never camped on a station, here’s your chance.

Kilcowera Station is a working organic cattle station, and has been in the same family close to 30 years. Toni and Greg have set up their property for campers (and other accommodation in the old shearer’s quarters), and you can either get an unpowered or powered site.

We’d never stayed at a station before, and really enjoyed our little site at the lagoon. Plus, I relished being able to have a shower after a week on the road and tons of red dust in my hair.

The next day, we took our time to do the scenic drive around their property (about 5 hours), and then wished we had booked another night here instead of at Currawinya.

• Kilcowera Station : Powered ($50) and unpowered ($40) sites at a working cattle station
• Currawinya National Park: Various camping areas
• Please note that camping is not permitted along the Bulloo River outside of Thargomindah (there’s  a commercial caravan park in town)

DAY 7-8: KILCOWERA STATION TO CURRAWINYA NATIONAL PARK

Getting from Kilcowera Station to Currawinya National Park won’t take more than a couple of hours (~100km). We ended up rushing a bit as we spent the best part of Day 7 exploring Kilcowera Station, and only left the station around 3pm.

Along the way you could stop at Hungerford. It’s a tiny town with a somewhat crazy-looking pub and gravity-fed fuel available.

CURRAWINYA NATIONAL PARK

Currawinya National Park is almost bordering on NSW, and easily one of Queensland’s largest national parks. It has recently been extended and now encompasses a pretty vast area.

The park is a wetland of international importance, supporting more than 100,000 birds, including migratory ones. Obviously in winter, the waterways are relatively dry so bird watching isn’t necessarily at its prime. Still, you’ll see plenty of birds if you keep your eyes out for them.

Currawinya has two large lakes, one fresh and the other salty, and a myriad of channels, waterholes and rivers cruising through the area. Except for one area, camping is found along the Paroo River (think muddy waters, not clear blue).

But what we found really fascinating are Currawinya’s remnants from pastoral times.

Two huge shearing sheds, including a number of other pastoral outbuildings, give a glimpse into the hard life that once was pulsing out here.

We easily spent two days at Currawinya. Just doing the new River Drive takes a day. 3-4 days would allow a more relaxed way of exploring all that Currawinya has to offer, especially if you’re into poking around relics from the past.

• Currawinya National Park: Various camping spots along the Paroo River

DAY 9-10: CURRAWINYA NATIONAL PARK TO SUNSHINE COAST / BRISBANE

Day 9 and 10 will be travel days again, and marked the end of our Central Queensland Outback road trip.

We spent a leisurely morning exploring yet more historic remnants at Currawinya, and then left the national park around lunch time. Our next stop would be Thrushton National Park near Bollon, and after getting fuel in Cunnamulla, we went on to Bollon.

Cunnamulla looked like a super tidy town, and I spotted some painted silos that I totally forgot to photograph. There were plenty of people getting snacks and food from the local pub so it’d probably make for a nice stop for lunch.

We briefly stopped at the camping area in Bollon, and debated staying the night but then decided to move on to Thrushton National Park.

An hour out of Bollon, we realised that we should have turned off the Balonne Highway before reaching Bollon (onto the Mitchell-Bollon Road) to get to Thrushton, and turning around now would mean a fair detour. By the time we’d get back to Bollon, let alone Thrushton, it’d be dark so we decided to keep going, stop in St. George for a quick bite to eat, and drive home that night.

• Bollon: Free camping along Wallum Creek (popular with caravans); hot showers available along the main road in town
• Thrushton National Park: Thrushton Homestead Camping Area and Thrushton Woolshed Camping Area

In the end, Day 10 was spent at home. First sleeping in, and then cleaning out the car and putting all that camping gear away again.

Driving all the way from Currawinya back to the coast meant a big drive (~1,000km). If we hadn’t dawdled so much in the morning, thinking we were going to Thrushton, we would have left early and got home at a somewhat more reasonable hour. That said, Bollon would make a great stop to break up the trip home.

Queensland is a massive state, and even after a few years living here, we’ve still only see a small part of it.

I love heading into the interior, albeit only during the cooler months. If you’re after solitude, wildlife, red dirt and wide open spaces, southwest Queensland is a great spot.

The three national parks are all very different, and I enjoyed each one for different reasons. Idalia offered gorges, rocky escarpments and walks. Welford had beautiful clay pans, Mulga shrubland and sand dunes. And Currawinya gave us a real insight into the former sheep shearing industry (though interpretation panels were somewhat lacking).

10 days isn’t a heap of time for exploring such a vast area so if you have an extra day or two, you’ll be able to travel a bit slower and have some time to relax. We could have used two nights at Kilcowera Station, and would have liked to stop at Thrushton National Park as well. And now that Currawinya is opened up even further, three nights there would be the minimum.

MORE POSTS ON TRAVELLING IN THE OUTBACK

For more detailed information on what to do at Welford, our second stop on this outback road trip, take a look at my guide to Welford National Park .

Perhaps not technically in the Queensland Outback, Carnarvon National Park is an amazing place to explore. With four different sections accessible, it can be hard to decide what to see. Here’s my guide to Mount Moffatt , or if you want to do some overnight hiking, Carnarvon Gorge is a great destination .

The Northern Territory is another vast area, and one that has a lot of popular spots. Read more about my highlights from our Northern Territory road trip .

Hiking in the Australian Outback can be a very special experience. The Ormiston Pound Hike in the West MacDonnell Ranges is a stunning half-day walk. If you’re keen on long-distance hiking, the Larapinta Trail is a must.

Further Reading...

7 Stunning Inside Passage Destinations

A Scenic Rim Drive: Falls Drive and Condamine River

How to Do a Scenic Drive through the Glass House Mountains

Was für eine schöne Einleitung 🙂 Und vor allem die Bilder von Tag 2 sind richtig beeindruckend. Lustig wie richtig zu sehen ist, dass alles irgendwie so golden und orange und nach Outback aussieht, also allein vom Licht.

Oh, danke schoen! 😀

Ja, alles sehr golden und hell (teilweise sogar sehr grell) im Outback. Am schoensten finde ich immer die rote Erde mit gruenen Straeuchern, Grass oder Baeumen. Da muss es allerdings gut regnen!

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Idalia National Park Camping Guide

Welford national park camping options, queensland & beyond.

The 13 Best Places to Visit in the Outback & Travel Itineraries

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The Red Centre of Australia is a fun place to explore – the amazing landscapes make this one of our favorite spots in Australia. With barren deserts and long drives, a road trip in the Outback has many amazing places we did not expect to see. The scenery is unique with mountain ranges, massive canyons, and gorges with permanent watering holes.

While the Outback may not be as “sexy” as a trip to the  Great Ocean Road , Sydney beaches, or  tropical Queensland , something about the Outback’s raw beauty and spiritual history makes it hard to beat.

The Outback is a perfect place for a 7-14 day road trip. We cover all the highlights in the Outback, a survival guide, and various itineraries for those short on time or looking for a week-long road trip through the Red Centre.

Check out our list of the 13 best places to see in the Outback below!

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon .

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

The Outback Travel Guide

Best time to visit the outback.

The best time to visit is during the winter months (June – September) when the days are hot but manageable. The temperature drops significantly during the night, so having layers and a light jacket would be a good idea.

Visiting the Darwin region in the summer (wet season) should be avoided at all costs. Not only are temperatures extremely high, but it is also monsoon season and roads are commonly flooded.

How to Get to The Outback

The cheapest flights are with TigerAir. Flights from Brisbane start from $150 to Darwin or $270 to Alice Springs. From Sydney, flights start from $160 to Darwin or $240 to Alice Springs. Flights from Melbourne start from $180 to Darwin or $200 to Alice Springs.

Check Flight Prices on Skyscanner

Thrifty AU  has locations in Darwin and Alice Springs, among other major cities in Australia. They have very competitive rates. Make sure to check and understand the agreement terms for unsealed roads. Most small vehicles do not allow for use off-road, and penalties are excessive.

Rentals in the Outback typically come with 100 kilometers (62 miles) per day with overage charges of around $0.30 per km. Although 100 km per day may seem like a lot, driving distances in the Outback can easily exceed that.

Routes to The Outback

Driving from queensland.

Townsville is the main gateway into the Outback from Queensland. The Flinders Highway (A6) originates in Townsville and connects with Mount Isa and on to the Stuart Highway (87). It is 1,600 kilometers, or two full days driving without stops, to get from Townsville to the Stuart Highway.

The road is sealed with speed limits of 100 km/h in Queensland and 140 km/h in the Northern Territory.

4WD Route From Cairns

If Darwin is your first destination in the Outback and you have time to spare, the Savannah Way (Highway 1) is an excellent 4WD adventure. The beginning stretch from Cairns to Normanton is a sealed road, although there are creek crossings on this route so it is not advised for 2WD.

The real journey begins after Normanton on the stretch between Burketown and Borroloola, a remote area that requires experienced drivers with high clearance 4WD vehicles. Check conditions before going. This road can be flooded and impassable, especially during the summer. 

The Savannah Way is a great resource for itineraries and road conditions, and it has contact numbers for emergencies.

Driving from South Australia

Adelaide is the gateway to the Outback from South Australia. The Stuart Highway originates in Port Augusta, three hours north of Adelaide. From Adelaide to Alice Springs, it is 1,500 kilometers in distance (930 miles), or two very long driving days.

The 13 Best Highlights of the Australian Outback

Also known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is the most recognizable landmark in the Outback and one of the top reasons to visit the Land Down Under. Pictures simply cannot do this massive sandstone rock justice. There is something so spiritual being in its presence.

This was one of our favorite places in Australia. We stayed for three days to explore the park and watch the rock glow red at sunrise and sunset. Take advantage of the three-day pass and stay awhile.

Hiking at Uluru

Currently, hiking to the top of Uluru is closed . The local aboriginal Aṉangu tribe does not climb it for spiritual reasons. They also ask that visitors do not climb it out of respect for their traditions.

A good way to explore Uluru is to hike around the base of the entire rock. It is a 10 km (6.2 miles) walk and takes around three hours. The hike begins from the Mutitjulu carpark or Mala carpark. There are several sections along the walk where photography is not allowed as these sites are considered sacred.

Best Sunrise Locations at Uluru

My favorite spot for sunrise is at the end of the sunset car park. There are usually only a few people there. Views are unobstructed with the sun rising behind Uluru.

Although extremely busy, my second favorite spot is at the Uluru sunrise platform. If using a tripod, be sure to show up early for a good spot. This view has the sun rising from behind, which helps capture the glowing red rock.

There are also some nice spots while driving on the road that circumnavigates Uluru.

Best Sunset Locations at Uluru

The sunset car park is best for sunset. The crowds will be here watching alongside you, so it is best to arrive one to two hours beforehand. My favorite location is at the very right, after the last few parking spots.

All of the accommodation and shops are located outside the park in the town of Yulara. There is a small IGA supermarket to stock up on supplies. There are several restaurants in the small center of the town. It is a 10-minute drive to the park entry gates.

Entrance Fee for Uluru

The entrance fee to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is $38, valid for multiple entries for up to three days.

The Ayer’s Rock Campground charges per vehicle. The closest free campsite is a 15-minute drive from Yulara at a rest stop along the highway.

2. Kata Tjuta

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is not only home to Uluru. Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, is an incredible site in its own right. It is located 45 km (28 miles) east of Uluru, or a one-hour drive.

There are two viewing areas for Kata Tjuta – the one off the main road has panoramic views of all 36 domes but is quite far away. The other is close to the base of Kata Tjuta, but it is somewhat obstructed by trees. My favorite viewing location for photography, including sunrise or sunset, is on the side of the Valley of the Winds access road. 

Make sure to explore Kata Tjuta for one day and watch one sunset while visiting the park.

The Valley of the Winds is a 3-hour hike that should not be missed. The hike winds through the rock formations next to Mount Olga and through a very scenic valley. This is my favorite hike in the park.

Entrance Fee

3. Kings Canyon

We were pleasantly surprised by this beautiful and massive canyon. The 100-meter (328-foot) cliff walls are sure to make you feel a bit uneasy. It is located four hours north of Uluru, and worth the detour.

There are a couple of walks in the area – the Kings Creek trail is an easy 2 km (1.2 mile) walk that follows the canyon floor.

The best views are on the 6 km (3.7 mile) Kings Canyon Rim Walk. This loop trail has a steep ascent in the beginning and follows the canyon rim allowing for incredible views. There is a short detour that descends down to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole. The entire hike takes about three hours to complete.

The Kings Canyon Campground has unpowered sites. The first free campground is a rest stop 30 minutes drive toward Uluru.

4. Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park, located three hours southeast of Darwin, is the largest national park in Australia. Several different types of landforms define the park, including cliff walls, gorges, and floodplains. The park is known for its waterfalls – Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls, and Twin Falls.

There are many walks throughout the park, the best ones are the Koolpin Gorge Track, the Nawurlandja Lookout, the Barrk Marlam Walk (June – October), and the Twin Falls Plateau Walk. Other activities in the park include boating, fishing, wildlife, and crocodile spotting.

A park pass is $25 during the wet season and $40 during the dry season (May – October) which is valid for up to seven consecutive days.

Kakadu offers free camping and bush camping (walk-in) sites throughout the park. Check the  park website  for all accommodation options, including campsites.

5. Nitmiluk National Park

Nitmiluk, formerly known as Katherine Gorge National Park, is located south of Kakadu. The two major highlights at Nitmiluk are the Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls. Several  hikes  in the park range from two hours to 3-day treks.

Canoeing is also a great way to explore the gorges on the Katherine River. For overnight hiking and canoe trips, camping is available at Dunlop Swamp, Smitt Rock, and Eighth Gorge.

For the ultimate hike, grab a permit and set off on the  Jatbula Trail . This is a 4 or 5-night hike starting from Nitmiluk Gorge and ending at Edith Falls.

Bush campsites at the Gorge Caravan Park are abundant, but require a permit from the park office.

6. Litchfield National Park

Located two hours south of Darwin, the Litchfield National Park is loaded with single-drop and cascading waterfalls. Popular attractions are Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, Florence Falls, and the Buley Rockhole.

The Lost City has impressive sandstone pillars and is an interesting place to visit, but it is only accessible by 4WD. The are several  short walks  as well as the 3 to 5-day  Tabletop Track .

Camping is available at the Wangi and Florence Falls campsites.

7. Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation

The Devil’s Marbles Conservation area is a bizarre and beautiful place to visit. It is full of round rock formations that precariously sit atop of one another. The natural process of erosion and weathering has changed the shapes of the granite stone to resemble round marbles, hence the name of the conservation.

Access is directly off the Stuart Highway. There are several short trails that take two to three hours to visit. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset photography, as well as astrophotography if the conditions are right.

There is a basic campground (toilet, no other facilities) with fire pits at Devil’s Marbles. The closest places with facilities are Tennant Creek Caravan Park (100 km north) and Barrow Creek Motel (130 km south).

8. West McDonald Range

The West McDonald Range is only a short drive from Alice Springs and is a great place to explore. Who would have thought that the Outback has pristine swimming holes and beautiful gorges? Not us!

The best places to stop are the Simpsons Gap, the Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek, Serpentine Gorge, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, and Redbank Gorge. Each gorge is a 10 to 30-minute walk from the highway. Ellery Creek and Redbank Gorge were our favorites as both had a watering hole, perfect for an afternoon dip.

Our favorite hike was the Counts Point return which is a 13 km (8 miles) loop hike from the Serpentine Gorge. If you are up for a challenge, the 223km (138 miles)  Larapinta Trail  should be on the list. This hike traverses the range in 13-16 days. It should only be attempted during the winter months.

All gorges and sites are free except for the Standley Chasm which costs $12 per adult entrance, or $18.50 for overnight camping which includes the entry.

There are several free campsites along the West McDonald Range on Larapinta Drive. All of the gorges listed above have campsites which range in cost depending on the facilities.

9. Mereenie Loop Road

Mereenie Loop Road is an awesome way to get the Outback drive experience; no 4WD required (mostly). This road links the West McDonald Range and Kings Canyon so you don’t have to backtrack through Alice Springs.

The private road cuts through aboriginal land and is officially considered a 4WD-only road. However, with a bit of confidence, the road is an easy drive unless it has recently rained. We did it in our AWD Subaru Forester.

There are sections that are heavily corrugated and get quite bumpy, so you should drive slow but most of the drive is quite easy and smooth. There is absolutely nothing on this road and very few cars pass by, so make sure to have enough petrol. Also, bring extra water just in case. This is a 2-3 hour drive.

Note: Before attempting this drive make sure to check conditions at Glen Helen Lodge or Kings Canyon Resort. The Alice Spring Visitor Center directed us there for the latest road conditions. One night of rain can make this road impassable.

A permit fee is payable at the Alice Springs Visitor Center, the Kings Canyon Resort, or the Glen Helen Lodge. We never had our permit checked but I would get one anyway.

There is no accommodation or camping allowed on this drive. There are campsites and accommodation at both ends in Glen Helen or near Kings Canyon.

10. Oodnadatta Track

This 620 km (384 miles) multi-day drive is a true Outback adventure. The journey is possible on 2WD vehicles during the dry season. The track follows the abandoned Ghan rail line with several stops, including abandoned ruins, salt lakes, and natural springs. Some of the main stops are Lake Eyre, Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs, Coward Springs, the Hergott Springs, and the William Creek Hotel (the only pub on the drive).

The drive is between Marree and Marla, with fuel stops at Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta, and Marla.

Note: Before attempting check with the  Pink Roadhouse  for the latest track information.

There are basic campgrounds at Coward Springs.

11. Breakaways Conservation Park

The Breakaways Conservation Park has low hills with incredible colors from centuries of erosion. Several gravel roads lead to different views of the park. The overlooks are a great spot to watch the sunset.

These rock formations are located 30 km (18 miles) north of Coober Pedy. From the Stuart Highway, there is a well-conditioned 16 km (10 miles) gravel road to the park.

There is no accommodation or camping allowed in the conversation area. The closest option for accommodation is Coober Pedy which has free campgrounds and several hotels.

12. Lake Hart

This large salt lake is something out of the ordinary and worth a short stop on the way to or from Adelaide. It is located 40 km (25 miles) north of Pimba and 327 km (200 miles) south of Coober Pedy. The lake is only a 5-minute walk from the highway.

There is a free Lake Hart Rest Area with no facilities.

13. Flinders Ranges

The largest mountain range in South Australia is 450 km (280 miles) north of Adelaide. The best section of the Flinders Ranges is within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This is the southernmost part of the Outback.

The park is known for outstanding wildlife and great hiking opportunities. The Bunyeroo Gorge is a nice scenic drive. For those not intending to hike overnight, Razorback Lookout is a great sunset location. 

The Wilpena Pound also has several great hikes. The St Mary Peak loop is a 21.5 km (13 miles) overnight hike and the Wangara Lookout is a nice 7-8 km (5 miles) day walk with panoramic views.

$12 per vehicle

Several campsites are available in the Flinders Ranges, which you can book online. The Wilpena Pound Resort campgrounds are a bit more pricey.

A 3-Day Uluru Itinerary

If you are really squeezed for time, three days is enough to check Uluru off your bucket list. Book flights in and out of Alice Springs.

• Day 1:  Wake early and drive from Alice Springs to Yulara, a five and half hour drive. Stop at the overlook for Mt. Connor, also known as Fool-uru. Immediately, head to the national park and spend the next three hours hiking around the base of Uluru, starting from the Mutitjulu watering hole. If short on time, it’s still worth it to walk around the base for 30 or so minutes. Stay for sunset.
• Day 2:  Head to Uluru for sunrise from the sunrise car park. Afterward, head back to Yulara for breakfast. After lunch, drive out to Kata Tjuta for the afternoon. Hike the Valley of the Winds walk and stay for sunset. Make sure to drive back before the gates close.
• Day 3:  Watch the sunrise from the sunset viewing in the car park and enjoy a picnic breakfast at the visitor center. After soaking it all in at Uluru, head back to Alice Springs for your departure flight.

Note : Alice Springs is the central hub of the Outback. However, there is little reason to stay in Alice Springs other than to restock and gather free maps and information from the visitor center.

The 7-Day Outback Itinerary

To hit all the highlights of the Outback, seven days is a perfect way to explore the region. To maximize your time, fly to Darwin or Alice Springs and rent a car. This suggested itinerary can be done in either direction.

• Day 1:  Stock up in Alice Springs and hit the road to explore the waterholes and hikes in the West McDonald Range. Camp at one of the campsites.
• Day 2:  Drive the Mereenie Loop Road to Kings Canyon and hike the rim walk. Stay for sunset and camp near Kings Canyon Resort.
• Day 3-4:  Explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta with two sunrises and sunsets. Stay in Yulara.
• Day 5:  A long driving day with a sunset stop at Devils Boulders. Camp at the Devils Boulders campground.
• Day 6:  Sunrise at Devils Boulders and a long driving day to Katherine.
• Day 7:  Hike or canoe in the Katherine River Gorge and drive up to Darwin to finish the 7-day road trip.

Ultimate 14-Day Road Trip in the Outback

Be mentally prepared for several long driving days with no stops. Two weeks in the Outback is a perfect amount of time to soak in all the highlights. Whether you drive in from South Australia, Queensland, or fly into Darwin, two weeks allows for at least one full day at all the best spots.

• Day 1-3:  Hike in Flinders Ranges or drive the Oodnadatta Track to Marla. Head towards Uluru.
• Day 3-5:  Explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta for two days seeing all the sunrises and sunsets.
• Day 6:  Drive four hours to Kings Canyon. Hike the rim walk.
• Day 7-8:  Drive the Mereenie Loop Road and explore the watering holes in the West McDonald Ranges. Head towards Darwin.
• Day 9-10:  Marvel at the Devils Boulders on the way to Katherine.
• Day 11:  Canoe or Hike in the Katherine River Gorge.
• Day 12-13:  Hike and explore the Kakadu National Park.
• Day 14:  Check out all the waterfalls and watering holes in Litchfield National Park. Head to Darwin.

What to Bring to the Outback

Food  – We expected prices to be much higher in Alice Springs, which they were not, so try not to bring too much. Stock up on a few essentials such as canned goods and non-perishable items that will last while in a hot car. Alice Springs has full-size supermarkets and Uluru has a normal size IGA. It is a good idea to have 3-4 days of food.

Alcohol  – NT has some strange laws on alcohol, so definitely stock up on it for the duration of your trip. Alice Springs is the only place with proper liquor stores but the prices were higher than in the rest of Australia. The law prohibits sales during certain hours and regulates the quantity of liquor sold (especially when purchasing cask wines or goon).

Fuel  – If you’re going on a 4WD adventure, carry a 10L or 20L can of extra petrol.

Apps for Australia

There are two apps to download before heading to Australia.  Campermate  is a free app that provides information on campsites, things to see, petrol, and lots more. 

WikiCamps Australia  is a paid app that has tons of information and user comments. The comments can be downloaded ahead so the entire app is available offline. WikiCamps is great for its extensive list of campsites and comments to help provide information and suggestions.

Important Things to Know About The Outback

Fuel  – petrol is more widely available than expected in the Outback. With that said, it is normal to have a 200 km (125 miles) stretch between petrol stations. Most roadhouses have petrol. My rule of thumb was no matter what the price, fill up at every possible place.

Roadhouses  – Roadhouses are few and far between, usually with nowhere else to stop. Roadhouses have petrol and sometimes a small general store. They always have camping options, food, and beer available.

Driving at Night  – Unless you have to, do not drive at night. It simply is not safe. It gets very dark in the Outback, there are no road lights, and there is an abundance of wildlife. If you plan on staying for sunsets, make sure to drive very slow on the way back to your accommodation.

Lock Car Doors  – We heard on a few occasions, especially at Uluru, of things getting stolen. It almost always occurred with unlocked car doors. And it typically happened in the middle of the night, even with people sleeping in the car. Make sure to always lock your doors. As a rule of thumb, do not stay at a rest stop or campsite unless there is another car there.

That’s it – we hope you have an amazing time exploring these spots to see in the Outback!

Planning a trip to Australia? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years. After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

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10 best places to visit in outback QLD

Posted by Dean Heckscher 11/03/2020

Step back in time and discover outback Queensland through an assortment of museums, cultural displays and prehistoric time-capsules dotted across the west. From dinosaurs and preserved fossils to rich indigenous culture and everything in between, outback Queensland is full of old-world wisdom with all the charm and character of a land before time. But don’t let that fool you, the west is also bursting with state-of-the-art facilities and generous outback hospitality along the way, so you’re bound to feel right at home. If you’re planning on making the trip out west, read on to find out about some stops you simply can’t miss.

Best places to visit in Outback QLD

If you’re visiting the outback, be sure to check out the following sights for the full experience:

Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach

Australian age of dinosaurs, winton, eromanga natural history museum, eromanga.

• QANTAS Founders Museum, Longreach

Cunnamulla Fella Centre Art Gallery and Museum, Cunnamulla

Tree of knowledge, barcaldine, the big rig, roma, charleville cosmos centre, charleville, waltzing matilda centre, winton, the birdsville hotel and big red, birdsville.

The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre is a fitting tribute to the outback pioneers of yesteryear, painting a vivid picture of the various characters and colourful stories that define the settlement of Western Queensland. Since being officially opened back in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Stockman’s Hall of Fame has welcomed over one million people through the doors, providing a detailed history of rural Australia.

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton is a display of Australia’s unique evolutionary history, with a particular focus on the discovery and conservation of dinosaurs and other prehistoric fossils in Outback Queensland. Home to the world’s largest collection of Australia’s dinosaur fossils, the museum is constantly making new discoveries, with the Fossil Preparation Laboratory, The Jump-Up and Dinosaur Canyon also available for some family fun.

Continuing on the outback dinosaur theme, the Eromanga Natural History Museum offers tours and experiences which revolve around a fossil preparation and preservation laboratory that is still fully operational today. Some of the tours available include a hands-on fossil preparation program, which teaches you to prep real fossilised megafauna bones, and a variety Dinosaur Digs so you can try your hand at excavating some of the world’s oldest and largest fossils.

Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach

It’s hard to believe that Australia’s largest airline began with humble roots in Western Queensland. The museum, which operates out of the National Heritage-listed Qantas Hangar, features full scale models of the early Qantas fleet, as well as replicas of the world’s most significant aircrafts today. The museum can be experienced through a guided tour or self-guided exploration, with plenty of displays to keep you busy.

The Cunnamulla Visitor Information Centre is also home to a variety of iconic tourist attractions, dubbed the Cunnamulla Fella Centre. The sites include the Artesian Time Tunnel, an art gallery and museum as well as the cultural theatre. The exhibitions are regularly changed and updated, often displaying works and artifacts from the local region, as well as curated pieces sourced Australia-wide.

The heritage-listed Tree of Knowledge Memorial in Barcaldine, which was poisoned and killed in 2002, has now been wonderfully restored and preserved with a memorial on the site of the original tree. The Tree of Knowledge was the epicenter of the 1891 Australian Shearers Strike and is considered to be the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

The discovery of natural gas in Roma gave birth to one of Australia’s most profitable industries and biggest global exports. The museum allows you to discover the unique origins of the Australian oil and gas industry, including self-guided tours of the outdoor museum, The Oil Patch, as well as The Big Rig Night Show, a sunset sound and light tour.

Take in the wonders of astronomy by day, or view the Milky Way free from city light pollution through a powerful Meade telescope at night, at the Charleville Cosmos Centre. Guides point out some of wonder of the universe, such as binary stars, star clusters and various planets, with the centre also giving you the opportunity to hold a meteorite, as well as explore the Space Tunnel or visit the Cosmos Theatre, among other things.

Not many songs can claim a museum dedicated to them, however the ballad of Waltzing Matilda is so entwined in the history and culture of Australia that it has become the unofficial national anthem. After a disastrous fire back in 2015, the Waltzing Matilda Centre has been painstakingly restored and is now a world class museum, gallery and exhibition space, hosting a wide variety of displays year-round.

The iconic Birdsville Hotel is a must-see if you’re travelling to the farthest west reaches of Queensland. Home to the Birdsville Races, a horse race meet that lasts for a week and has become a pilgrimage destination for travellers across the country, Birdsville’s most well-known pub – the Birdsville Hotel – is a really great spot for a cold drink and a yarn with fellow trekkers. Another stop in the area is the ginormous red sand dune, affectionately dubbed Big Red, which signals the start of the Simpson Desert, and is host to the annual Big Red Bash festival.

Is it worth travelling outback Queensland?

Boasting wide roads, open skies and friendly people, outback Queensland has plenty to see and do. Whether you’re interested in Australia’s unique cultural and natural history, or you just want to experience some good old-fashioned country hospitality, a drive through the outback has something for everyone, although you may want to carve out a bit of time to see it all, the outback is a big place!

Photo credits: Travelling.About/shutterstock.com, Robert Hiette/shutterstock.com, Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Eromanga Natural History Museum, Edward Haylan/shutterstock.com, The Weekend Notes, Outback Queensland.com, Charleville Cosmos Centre, Howlandsnap/shutterstock.com, Wendy Eriksson/shutterstock.com

Original Author: Eliza Parry Okeden

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• Outback Queensland

Outback Queensland Attractions

Mitchell Great Artesian Spa

    Opens at 8:00 AM

Combo Waterhole

Dinosaur Stampede

The Tree Of Knowledge

Birdsville Races

Outback At Isa

Rotary Rodeo

Underground Hospital & Beth Anderson Museum

Longreach Visitors Information Centre

Royal Open Theatre & Opal Walk

Artesian Bore

Waltzing Matilda Centre

John Flynn Place Museum & Art Gallery

Waddi Trees

The Original Black Stump

Festival Of Opals

Cosmos Centre & Observatory

Charleville

Lake Julius

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Australian Workers Heritage Centre

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The Best Time to Visit Australia for Perfect Weather and Affordable Rates

These are the best times to visit Australia for surfing, hiking, beach hopping, and more.

From golden beaches and tropical rain forests to one-of-a-kind wildlife and rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Australia has a memorable vacation in store for all types of visitors.

Visiting a country so big — complete with three separate time zones and eight different climate zones — requires a degree of planning. To help you get started, keep in mind the following seasons, which apply to most of the continent's tourist hot spots.

• High Season: December to February
• Shoulder Seasons: March to May and September to November
• Low Season: June to August

While city breaks, road trips, and winery visits can be enjoyed year-round, varying regional weather patterns mean that certain highlights — hiking around the iconic monolith of Uluru; snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef — are best experienced during specific months. No matter what you want to do during your Australia trip, we've got you covered.

Best Times to Visit Australia for Smaller Crowds

Most tourists, especially from the Northern Hemisphere, visit Australia during the country's summer months: December, January, and February. To avoid these crowds, try visiting in winter (Australia's least popular season) or in the spring and fall shoulder seasons.

If you're planning to visit the country's northern coast, opposite rules apply. This region (home to the Great Barrier Reef and the city of Cairns, among other attractions) lies in the tropics. Because of this, the June to August winter months here are warm, dry, and swarming with tourists — both domestic ones on winter vacation and international visitors looking to explore the reef when visibility is at its peak. The summer rainy season, from November to April, is the least crowded time up north.

Best Times to Visit Australia for Good Weather

Every month presents an opportunity to experience a particular region of Australia at its best. If beach hopping is high on your agenda, aim for the warmer months of September to April in New South Wales and southeast Queensland, and November to March in southern states, including the southerly reaches of Western Australia. Summer is also bushfire season, so keep your eye on local alerts during your visit.

While southern states tend to experience four seasons, northern Australia (encompassing the top sections of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland) has just two: wet (November to April) and dry (May to October). With road access often compromised during the wet season, the dry period is generally the best time to visit this region, especially on a road trip. The wet period also corresponds with cyclone and marine stinger seasons, which can make coastal travel a challenge. That said, Great Barrier Reef and rain forest tourism in the Cairns region operate year-round, weather permitting. If you want to swim during stinger season — when certain dangerous species of jellyfish populate northeast Australian waters — you'll just need to don a Lycra stinger suit supplied by your marine activity operator.

If you've got your heart set on an Australian outback adventure, the cooler months from May to August are most comfortable. For outdoor adventures in the island state of Tasmania, which has a cooler climate than the mainland, the warmer months from October to March are ideal. If you packed your skis, the snowfields of New South Wales and Victoria are typically open from June until September.

Best Times to Visit Australia for Lower Prices

Flights are usually one of the biggest cost hurdles on a trip to Australia, but there are ways to save. Airfare tends to be lowest during the Aussie winter — June to August — since that's the least popular season for tourism. At any time of year, though, you can find good deals by opting for flights with a layover instead of direct routes (New Zealand, China, and Singapore are some common stopovers) and by watching for sales. Airlines like Virgin Australia and the low-cost Qantas offshoot Jetstar often advertise great domestic deals.

Accommodation prices, meanwhile, can drop significantly in low and shoulder seasons. City breaks in the south's bustling urban centers tend to be most affordable in the winter off-season, too. Though the beaches may be too chilly for a swim, there's still plenty to see at this time of year. Try visiting in May or June to catch the Vivid Sydney festival, when iconic buildings are illuminated by incredible light installations for several weeks.

Best Times to Go Hiking in Australia

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Australia's national parks and wilderness areas are laced with hundreds of spectacular hiking trails, many of which are best tackled at certain times of the year. As the summer months can be unbearably hot in Australia's Red Centre, walks in places like Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are most comfortably and safely undertaken from April to September.

The opposite can be said for Tasmania, where hiking is more popular during the warmer months, though walkers should be prepared for all types of weather (even snow) throughout the year. Hiking in the lush Gondwana Rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales is typically more comfortable in the drier winter months (particularly June to October), while the best time to wander Western Australia's famed Cape to Cape Track is in the spring (specifically September and October, when wildflowers are in bloom) and autumn (March to May).

Best Times to Go Surfing in Australia

Like in many other destinations around the world, the best months for surfing in Australia don't always coincide with the best months for swimming. If you're just learning how to surf, there's generally no bad time to take a lesson here — though you'll be more comfortable spending hours in the water during the warm summer months of December through February. (This is especially true in Victoria and southern Western Australia.)

For experienced surfers, the offshore winds and more consistent swells of the Australian winter tend to proffer the best conditions, though storms can also generate big waves at any time of year. If you'd rather watch great surfers than join them, try visiting in fall months like March or April — that's when many of the country's biggest surfing competitions, like the Margaret River Pro and Newcastle's Surfest , are held.

Best Times to See Wildlife in Australia

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

One of the best things about visiting Australia between May and November is the opportunity to spot migrating whales. Various species make their way up and down the east and west coasts during those months, with different peak times for each species. The best time to book a whale-watching tour in general is August or September, when humpbacks tend to be most active. If you've always wanted to see an orca on the hunt, aim to be in Western Australia's Bremer Bay between January and April.

When it comes to seeing land-based wildlife, it's more about the time of day than the time of year, with the hours of dusk and dawn typically the best for spotting native animals such as kangaroos and wombats. From lorikeets to cockatoos to the iconic kookaburra, Australia's birds (which can often be seen in cities) also tend to sing their hardest when they come in to roost. And after dozing in gum trees all day, koalas are more active in the evenings, making them easier to spot.

Baby animals of all kinds abound in springtime (September to November) across the country. And while sea turtles can be spotted in Australian waters throughout the year, time your visit to Queensland between November and January to see them come ashore to nest, with their babies hatching from January to April.

Can't-Miss Places to Visit in Australia, According to Australians

Worst times to visit australia.

Australia's diverse natural beauty and thriving culture mean that there's no bad time to visit. But, depending on your priorities, some times of year can be better than others.

If avoiding crowds and saving money are your top goals, you may want to skip summertime, when tourist numbers and flight and hotel costs reach their annual peak. For beach hopping, avoid the winter — except on the northern coast, where the beaches of Port Douglas and the Whitsunday Islands are at their best in the dry winter months.

International travelers should also note that Easter is surprisingly busy. Australian schools go on break this time of year, and most locals use that time to travel, whether to see family or go on vacation. Since this drives up prices and increases crowds, Easter may be a time to avoid unless you too are there to visit Australian relatives.

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Queensland's last day of winter may be the warmest we've felt in decades

By Alexandria Utting

ABC Gold Coast

Topic: Weather Forecasts

Donna Billingham and her daughter Charlotte, 7, have travelled from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast to cool off this weekend. ( ABC News: Jessica Ross )

Parts of Queensland are predicted to see a record-breaking end to winter, with the hottest temps since 1985.

Brisbane is expected to record tops of 36C, the warmest August day in years.

What's next:

Things will cool down from Tuesday next week.

It's the last day of winter, but you wouldn't know it in Queensland.

Heat records are set to be broken in parts of the state today, with temperatures in the north-west expected to soar to almost 40C – more than 14 degrees above the maximum average for this time of year.

After an unseasonably hot final week of winter, the Bureau of Meteorology's Helen Reid said Brisbane was likely to sweat through its hottest August day in 15 years on Saturday.

Swimmers at Brisbane's South Bank, where temperatures will be above average this weekend. ( ABC News: Curtis Rodda )

The River City could reach up to 36C today – more than 10 degrees above the state average for August.

The mercury is expected to rise higher than the current record for an August day in Brisbane, which was 35.5C set in 2009.

Toowoomba is set to reach a top of 31C.

"We have seen some very warm temperatures and it is the hottest we've seen for many months," Ms Reid said.

Outback tourists flock to the sun

In the outback, the high temperatures of almost 40C that were felt in Birdsville on Friday afternoon will fall slightly, as the warmer weather tracks further inland.

"In south-western parts of Queensland, like the Channel Country, there will be a slight easing back of heat, there is a bit of a change moving through, allowing a little bit of a cooler southerly flow," Ms Reid said.

"But it isn't going to be taking it back down to anything that resembles being cool, just cooler than it has been."

Caravanner Paul Anderson is in outback Queensland for the warmer weather.

"It's freezing in the Snowy Mountains. I would have three jumpers on by now, two fires going and my long johns," he said.

Paul Anderson and his furry mate don't mind the hot weather in the outback. ( ABC News: Hannah Walsh )

But in Longreach, where the mercury is peaking at 38C today, there's no need for such attire.

"Just take your shirt off and have a beer," Mr Anderson advised.

"You'd think it was summer already."

Hottest day since 1985

Meanwhile, Roma and Charleville are headed for a top of 37C on Saturday. The towns are up there with the Mt Isa region, which is expected to see the hottest day in Queensland on Saturday.

Paul Anderson is happy to be out of his long johns. ( ABC News: Hannah Walsh )

Weatherzone meteorologist Quincy Tut said the town of Camooweal on the Queensland-Northern Territory border was expected to have its hottest August day in almost 40 years, set to hit top temps of 38C.

The town's last heat record for winter was 37.3C.

"That's an interesting one because the last the highest August temperature was in 1985, so if that one's broken, which it looks like there's a good chance it will be, then that will be the highest August temperature in a very long time," Mr Tut said.

AFL players in Mt Isa applying sunscreen to their heads as record temps hit the region today. ( ABC News: Meghan Dansie )

Mount Isa resident Grace Van Noord headed to her AFL game despite the record-breaking heat, but said temperatures rose early in the day.

"It just got really hot, really quickly," she said.

"Definitely a lot hotter this year. [It's been a] really quick transition, we've been having some colder nights still."

Sea breeze to cool down coasts

The Sunshine Coast will feel a top of 33C today and Gold Coast is headed for a top of 32C, with the sea breeze keeping the regions cooler than other parts of the state.

Lilou, 11, and Luca, 9, enjoying ice-creams to stay cool. ( ABC News: Jessica Ross )

Mooloolaba was packed on Friday as beach-goers tried to beat the heat, with Sunshine Coast locals Lilou, 11, and Luca, 9, enjoying ice-creams to stay cool.

Business is also booming at one Gold Coast gelato store, where staff have been busy making extra stock to match customer numbers this weekend.

Winter is usually the quietest time of year for the store, but this week, customer numbers have been up there with summer trade.

Bridie Buckley is gearing up for a busy weekend of scooping gelato on the Gold Coast. ( ABC News: Julia Andre )

Gold Coast Lifeguard Superintendent Joel Nantes said his team was bracing for a busy weekend.

Mr Nantes said while the temperatures are forecast to be slightly cooler on Sunday, he's still expecting a large crowd.

"It's going to be a pretty nice day and there might be a few Father's Day gifts being tested out in the ocean," he said.

Old friends soak up the sun on a windy Gold Coast beach day on Saturday.  ( ABC News: Alexandria Utting )

While the sun was shining on the Gold Coast on Saturday, the north-westerly winds of up to 25km/h made it a less than perfect beach day.

Leonardo Leite and his nine-month-old son Adrian were thankful for the cool breeze as they cruised around Mermaid Beach this morning.

Cool change to come from Tuesday

The unseasonably hot weather is hitting Queensland due to a lack of colder air moving into the state and an increase in westerly winds, meteorologists said.

Leonardo Leite and his nine-month-old son Adrian crusing the streets of Mermaid Beach getting some stray rays. ( ABC News: Alexandria Utting )

"We haven't had any cold changes moving through to flush out that heat, usually during the winter months and particularly through August, as well," Ms Reid said.

Things are expected to cool down from early next week, with southerly winds hitting the state on Tuesday.

Keep animals cool and out of the car

While things remain hot, RSPCA spokesperson Emma Lagoon said pet owners should make sure their furry friends have plenty of shade, water and are not left tied up in the backyard.

Millie at the beach on the Gold Coast with her water nearby. ( Picture: supplied )

For those wanting to help native wildlife this weekend, Ms Lagoon suggested leaving out containers of water for them.

"Just make sure there's a rock or a stick so that if anything gets in there, they can still get back out," she said.

Snake season slips in early

The hot weather has kept south-east Queensland snake catcher Timothy Hudson busy, who said calls for help to relocate snakes had "exploded" in recent weeks.

Snake catcher Tim Hudson says he's been extremely busy due to the hot weather. ( Supplied: Hudson Snake Catching )

He said in the past week he'd relocated two venomous eastern brown snakes from properties on the Gold Coast.

"They're travelling quite large distances, quite quickly," Mr Hudson said. "Unfortunately, a lot of them do get run over and hit by cars or cross through backyards and that can put them in dangerous proximity to family pets," Mr Hudson said.

He warned snakes would come inside looking for a place to cool down when temperatures reached above 30C.

"There are snakes in every single street, so for every snake that someone does see, there's probably another 10 that they're not seeing," he said.