How to plan your trip to Outback Queensland

It’s easy to make assumptions about the Outback, but we bet you’ve got these six things wrong.

Like one giant outdoor classroom that’s just as educational for big kids as little ones, Outback Queensland packs plenty of history, drama, science and geology lessons for astute wanderers. You can visit the birthplace of Qantas, drink in the bar where Banjo Paterson first performed Waltzing Matilda, and see evidence of a dinosaur stampede with your own two eyes.

If it’s true escapism you seek, you can marvel at cattle stations that are larger than some European countries, feel connected to the cosmos, and soak in artesian mineral baths.

Still need convincing? Here’s six reasons to visit the Outback.

When to go

The outback is known for its heat, so travel when the temperature is most comfortable, between April and October. And remember, even though the days can be scorching, between April and August you might find yourself shivering through sub-zero nights, so pack accordingly.

In many places, the Outback is essentially ‘closed’ over the hottest months of the year, and areas in the north-west of the state can be inaccessible due to seasonal summer rain. 

First-time here? There’s no better excuse for an Outback road trip than grabbing yourself a ticket to one of the many iconic events that take place throughout the year. Events like the Birdsville Races, Mount Isa Rodeo, and the Outback’s answer to the Sundance Film Festival in Winton offer a unique taste of outback life. 

How to get to Outback Queensland

While it’s known for being remote, getting to Outback Queensland is easier than you might think. It’s accessed by air, rail and road – and once you arrive there are well developed highways that connect you to charming towns and incredible experiences.

Fly

Qantas was born in the Outback, and continues to connect locals and travellers seeking a quick journey west. Regular flights operate between Brisbane and Mount Isa, Longreach and Charleville. REX Airways offers many connecting flights to Outback Queensland destinations including Bedourie, Boulia, Birdsville, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Julia Creek, Longreach, Mount Isa, Quilpie, Richmond and Windorah.

Train

Want to take in the landscapes and blue skies from a recliner seat? Queensland Rail offers several rail journeys through the heart of the outback:

• Spirit of the Outback: Brisbane to Longreach with a coach connection to Winton.
• Westlander: Brisbane to Charleville with coach connections to Quilpie and Cunnamulla.
• Inlander: Townsville to Mount Isa
• Gulflander: Normanton to Croydon
• Savannahlander: Cairns to Forsayth

Drive

Outback Queensland is made for road trips. Take it slow, make it adventurous, and take the time to uncover the sights and experiences that make our great big backyard so special.

There are endless options for driving holidays, whether you want to soak up Aussie history, dig for dinosaur bones, explore the Gulf Savannah, or head into cotton country. Use this guide to meet our most iconic outback road trips.

Tour

Take all the fuss out of your Outback Queensland holiday and join an organised tour led by the experts. AAT Kings offers seven-day guided journeys from Brisbane to Winton, Longreach and Quilpie, while those looking for a quick taste of the Aussie bush can strap into a Cessna seat with Seair Touring and fly west some 2,000km to experience our vast landscapes over three days of action and adventure.  

What to do in Outback Queensland

No matter your age, fitness level or budget, there’s an Outback experience with your name on it. You can dig up a dino – or a precious gem – go stand-up paddleboarding in an Outback oasis, or dance the night away at the world’s most remote music festival.

The best way to experience the Outback, however, is by clocking up the kilometres on one of the ready-made drive routes. Ensuring, of course, you leave plenty of time for a yarn with local characters in the pubs you’ll stop, sleep and dine in along the way.

To get the inspiration juices flowing, here’s our top things to do in Outback Queensland and the best ways to captivate the kids.

Where to eat and drink

While some of the best food experiences in the Outback might come from your own campfire, you won’t go hungry in the heartland of paddock-to-plate cuisine.

To hunt down the Outback’s most iconic meat pie through to local Indigenous coffee, here’s a list we prepared earlier. We promise it’s not all crumbed steaks and parmigianas either.

If you're visiting Mount Isa, be sure to take the Indigenous-led bush tucker experience at Outback at Isa.

Where to stay

While camping and caravanning might be the way most visitors choose to stay in Outback Queensland, no two campsites are the same. Camping and caravanning experiences run from simple off-grid sites on a secluded river bank through to holiday parks complete with swimming pools and jumping pillows.

But if you're looking for something a little more cosy than zipping up a tent at the end of the day, you can rest your head in a restored train carriage, cottages, and modern motels.

For next-level glamping, live the life of a jackaroo or jillaroo – or just kick back in your 1000-thread count sheets and gaze at the epic vistas – with an Outback station stay or luxury retreat.

Once you’ve nutted out your destinations, check out a list of accommodation options here.

Best day trips to take

Your day-trip radius will really depend on where you’re basing yourself for the night, since there can be thousands of kilometres between some major towns.

Pack your hiking boots and sense of adventure to explore natural wonders like Cobbold Gorge, Boojamulla National Park, and Porcupine Gorge National Park – all worthy of at least a day out of your itinerary.

For modern (by Outback Queensland standards) history and heritage, day trips to the Dig Tree and Cameron Corner in the south will have you walking in the boot-steps of Australia’s earliest explorers.

If you prefer your history a little older, you can always turn the clock back at least 66-million years at the Eromanga Natural History Museum – a day trip from Quilpie.

Things you need to know

Road safety is a big deal in Outback Queensland and you’ll need your wits about you with our native wildlife. It’s advised to avoid driving between dusk and dawn when the locals (kangaroos) are most active.

A UHF radio is a good precaution and if nothing else, the trucker-chat you’ll get to listen to is the best talk-back radio show you’ll probably ever hear. Use the radio to communicate with road trains in front of you if overtaking, and remember to give them a wide berth to avoid stone chips to your paintwork and windscreen.

It's always wise to carry essentials including water, food and first aid in case of an emergency - and depending on where you're headed, you might need a long-range fuel tank. Always do your research. 

Local’s tips

Parts of Outback Queensland may have been in drought for years, but that doesn’t mean there’s no water to clean your teeth or wash your face. The Outback sits atop the Great Artesian Basin, which pumps mineral rich water out at over 60 degrees to cooling plants before it reaches your tap or shower head. If you're the type of person who likes to soak it all in, be sure to add Julia Creek, Charlotte Plains, or Saltbush Retreat to your itinerary. That might just inspire you to venture north to experience these ancient Indigenous hot springs.

If you prefer to travel like the locals do - or at least get a few local tips along the way - just pull into an outback watering hole. Spark a conversation and you're sure to come away with a few new ideas. And if you want the locals to show you around, incorporate one of these guided tours into your trip.