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Explore Outback Queensland

Australia is an amazing country. In fact, driving through outback Queensland highlights what a spectacular country we have. This vast continent offers vibrant colours, delightful impressions of the landscape and some of the most stunning sights imaginable.

There is really so much to see as you explore outback Queensland. Artesian hot springs, dinosaur fossils, museums, classic old pubs full of history – and so much more! How lucky we are to live in this incredible country.

Extraordinary adventures! Each of these outback towns have something special to share about their community. While it’s just a snippet of their world, we can’t help but marvel at the people who make these outback Queensland towns their home.

Travelling through Outback Queensland is always fun

A roadtrip is our most favourite way to travel Australia. No matter how many times we travel, the journey is always different. Season’s change the landscape, waterholes appear, or disappear, emus and their chicks are out and about and budgerigars are chirping loudly as they come in for landing.

I often stop to take photographs along the way, especially when the sun is getting low in the day and the golden glow appears. Sometimes there are huge gloomy clouds hovering above, other times the sky is clear and vibrantly blue. Every single day is different.

Things to do in Outback Queensland

Dinosaurs, fossils, — Image by Steppinstars from Pixabay

One of the best things about taking a roadtrip into Outback Queensland is that you can explore the wild side of Australia’s unique landscapes.

Outback Queensland is famous for it’s dramatic scenery and incredible national parks, with favourites like Carnarvon Gorge and Cobbold Gorge with grand waterholes and an abundance of plant, bird and animal life. Lake Quarry Conservator Park where dinosaurs left their footprints on the shores of a muddy lake and Birdsville, the gateway to the Simpson Desert (Munga – Thirri) – a must-do experience for Australians.

Consider glamping at Walleroo Outback Retreat near Injune for something different or visit a real-like working Outback station at The Lake, just east of Quilpie. Go to the Camel Races at Boulia and have the time of your life with a 4WD off-road tour of Hell Hole Gorge or try noodling for opal in Quilpie.

For an archaeological adventure don’t miss our unique dinosaur experiences with Australia’s Dinosaur Trail around Richmond, Hughenden and Winton and way out west at Eromanga Natural History Museum with ‘Cooper’ the Dinosaur.

Download your Outback Queensland road Map and choose your journey here!

Start with the Highlights in the South West

Through Roma, Charleville, Quilpie, Thargomindah, Eromanga, Cunnamulla and St George in the South West of Queensland.

The Big Rig in Roma tells you all about when oil and gas first flowed in our nation.
Catch the auctioneer calls on Tuesdays at the Roma Saleyards, the largest in Australia.
Come and bushwalk at Carnarvon National Park.
Learn about the history of Cobb & Co at the Cobb & Co Changing Station at Surat.
Riversands Wines on the banks of the Balonne River in St George.
A photo moment at the impressive murals on the Thallon GrainCOrp Silos.
Nullawokka Gallery and Cultural Walk in Bollon.
Revitalise the body and mind at Mitchell’s Great Artesian Spa.
The Cosmos Centre in Charleville – an astronomy centre in the Far West.
Top Secret WWII US Base and Tour in Charleville.
See Bilbies in a nocturnal house in Charleville – Home to the Queensland Bilby.
Soak in the Artesian baths at Charlotte Plains.
Visit the Artesian Time Tunnel in Cunnamulla.
Currawinya National Park in Hungerford, one of Australia’s most important wetlands.
The Fox Trap Hotel in Cooladdi – an icecream stop in one of Australia’s smallest towns.
Baldy Top Lookout near Quilpie.
Hell Hole National Park with rugged gorges and rare yellow footed rock wallabies.
Meet Cooper, Australia’s largest Dinosaur at Eromanga Natural History Museum.
Explore Thargomindah’s history: Hydro Power Plant & Old Hospital & Jail.
Pay tribute to Outback pioneers at the Burke & Wills ‘Dig Tree’, near Innamincka.

Highlights in the in the Central West

The Outback Queensland communities of Longreach, Winton, Barcaldine, Blackall and Tambo. Explore!

Tambo Teddies – The home of over 40,000 homemade teddy bears from Outback Queensland. Stop in an pick up a Teddy of your own!
The Blackall Woolscour – Australian history & the drilling of the Artesian Bore in 1895.
Jumbo the Elephant – uncover the Perry Brothers Circus story in Blackall.
Jericho Drive-In Theatre – the smallest in the southern Hemisphere.
Barcaldine Radio Picture Theatre – a classic Art Nouveau movie theatre with original canvas seating.
The Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine – commemorating the history of the shearers’ strike.
Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail at Aramac – with over 40 creative scrap metal sculptures.
Ilfracome’s ‘Great Machinery Mile’.
Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame – new galleries, exhibits and stories.
Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach – watch their dazzling ‘luminescent lightshow’.
Longreach Powerhouse Museum – the largest preserved rural facility in Australia.
Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum – home to the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the world.
The Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, the first museum to be dedicated to a song.

Highlights to visit in the East

Explore the townships of Biloela, Theodore, Moura and Taroom in Outback Queensland.

Queensland Heritage Park in Biloela – Heritage displays of Australia’s pioneering days.
“Spirit of the Land’ water reservoir mural in Biloela.
Lake Callide – famous for family, fishing, watersport and camping.
Kroombit State Forest and National Park – home to ‘Betsy’ the ill-fated WW2 Liberator bomber.
Lawgi Hall Mural in Thangool.
Mt Scoria, the musical mountain with it’s rock formation standing 150m high.
Moura’s Water Tower mural.
Cracow Pub and Cracow Mining & Heritage Centre.
Glebe Weir – a pet friendly camping area.
Isla Gorge, a national park best known for it’s sandstone rock formations.
Expedition National Park – Remote area ideal for it’s 4×4 and camping areas.
The region’s best fishing spots: Lake Callide, Glebe Weir, Dawson River, Cracow Beach, Dee River Crossing, Neville Hewitt Weir and Lake Pleasant.

Highlights in the North West

Taking in the Outback Queensland townships of Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond and Hughenden.

Lake Moondarra at Mount Isa – A beautiful spot for a picnic. Climb the lookout, go birdwatching, fishing and canoeing.
Mt Isa Mines Rodeo held each August is the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere.
Outback at Mt Isa hosts the Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre and the Hard Time Mine Underground Tour.
Swim in the waterhole oasis – Adels Grove at Lawn Hill Gorge.
Chinaman Creek Dam near Cloncurry is stocked with Redclaw crayfish. They are so much fun to catch.
Mary Kathleen, a picturesque ghost town and former uranium mine.
Cloncurry’s Ballara Mining Heritage Trail – a 4×4 track through three historic mining towns of Bulonga, Ballara and Highville.
Cloncurry Unearthed Museum – Local memorabilia and where you can get your fossickers license.
John Flynn Place in Cloncurry commemorates the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Cloncurry’s Water Tower Mural – overlooks the township and is part of the Australian Silo Art Trail.
Julia Creek Artesian Baths. A great place to enjoy a sunset.
See a dunnart at Julia Creek’s ‘At the Creek’ – a very cute little critter.
Walkabout Creek Hotel at McKinlay, the Hotel from the Crocodile Dundee Movie.
Richmond’s Lake Fred Tritton for a chance to catch a Barramundi.
Cobbold Gorge – well known for it’s magnificent scenery and ‘glass-bottomed’ bridge.
Porcupine Gorge National Park – hike Queensland’s own Grand Canyon.

Places right out in the Far West

Explore the Outback Queensland region of Diamantina, Barcoo and Boulia.

Camping

Cooper Creek symbolizes the Channel Country, renowned as the river where Australian explorers Burke and Wills died in 1861.
Windorah’s International Yabby Races are held on the Wednesday night prior to the Birdsville Races.
Betoota – Population 0 – Home to the Betoota Serpent made entirely out of naturally occurring stones, sand and rocks, found in the area.
Birdsville Billabong – watch the birdlife as you walk, kayak, swim or fish.
The Birdsville Bakery is famous for it’s pies – curried camel, steak, kangaroo and rabbit.
The Birdsville Hotel – Queensland’s iconic far-western hotel and mandatory stopover.
The Big Red Bash – an iconic 3 day desert music festival held at the Big Red Sand Dune, 35kms out of Birdsville.
The Boulia Min Min Encounter – learn about the Min Min light phenomenon with balls of light hovering above the ground.
Middleton, population 2. The camping ground across the road from Queensland’s most remote pub is referred to as ‘the Hilton Hotel’ (tongue in cheek).
The Outback Camel Festival Trail and racing circuit at the annual Bedourie or Boulia camel racing events take place in July.
Munga-Thirri National Park – The Simpson Desert is One Million Hectares of National Park.

5 Essential Items for travelling throughout Outback Queensland

Good Camera – For travelling throughout Australia I recommend the Sony a6000 Mirrorless Camera Package – Light & compact and takes great photos! Most of the photos on AussieMob.com are taken with my Sony!

Comfy Walking Shoes – There will be a lot of walking to be done throughout Queensland! Make sure your feet are comfortable – try these New Balance Women’s Trainer. I love mine!

Loney Planet Guidebook – Even as an Aussie, I’m a fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and rely on the Australian edition. Take one with you!

Good Water Bottle – Keep hydrated! Travelling in the tropics can be thirsty work, so make sure you have a Yeti Drink Bottle and refill as you go. Tap water is drinkable everywhere!

Good Sun Hat – You’ll need a good sun hat when travelling in Australia. This Oz Smart Wide Brim Sun Hat looks stylish and is ideal for keeping you cool.