Top things to do with kids in Outback Queensland over the school holidays

Outback Queensland is full of surprises and adventures. You’ll never be short on things to do with kids in Outback Queensland. It’s the perfect place to spend the school holidays, enriching your childrens’ minds and providing them with unforgettable experiences.

If you’re thinking about heading to the outback over the school holidays, add these top things to do with kids in Outback Queensland to the itinerary. The whole family is sure to learn a lot, have plenty of fun and fall in love with this unique part of Queensland.

Charleville

Cuddle a bilby

Did you know bilbies don’t need to drink water? They get all the moisture they need from the food they eat, so it's no wonder they call the outback home!

Charleville lets you in to see these cute endangered critters at The Bilby Experience. The charitable organisation holds guided hour-long tours to see the  bilbies in their spectacular nocturnal house, where you'll learn about the plight of the bilby and their successful breeding and release program.

Not only will your visit give you a better insight into these magnificent creatures, but your entry fee goes directly to the Save the Bilby Fund, which is dedicated to breeding and protecting our dwindling native bilby population.

Go stargazing

Away from the bright lights of big cities and towns, you’ll be amazed at how florescent the sky shines after dark in Outback Queensand. The Cosmos Centre and Observatory is home to three giant telescopes that make the night sky look just a bit different than you’re used to. Take a peek and spot wonders you can’t see with the naked eye, like coloured stars, clusters and other planets.

While you’re in the area, add Cunnamulla to the itinerary. By day, go sandboarding down the Cunnamulla Sand Dunes. Then, check into your Charlotte Plains farm stay and spend your afternoon chilling in the outdoor bathtubs that overlook the artesian bore or watching sheep being sheared in the historic woolshed.

Longreach & surrounds

Fly a (virtual) plane

For kids who happily have their heads in the clouds, they’ll love the informative adventure that awaits them at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach. The museum tells the story of Australia’s beloved airline, from its early days in Outback Queensland to present day.

Genuine artefacts along with replica airplanes reveal Qantas’ heritage. This isn’t just a look-and-don’t-touch museum. Kids can experience what it was like to be a pilot in the First World War while flying in the Bristol Fighter Simulator. Or, they can jump in a full size DH 61 replica from the 1920s.

Little ones with curious minds should head along the Kids Trail. They’ll get to learn interesting facts, complete tasks and answer questions while they explore the museum.

Discover Outback Queensland's dinosaur history

Dinosaurs were all over the world millions of years ago but finding them these days is hard work. Luckily there is a team dedicated to the cause right in our backyard. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs dig site, 24km south-west of Winton, is home to Banjo and Matilda – two dino fossil sites that are revealing new things to scientists every day.

Inside the natural history museum, you’ll find the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. Pick up a Museum Field Guide (available only during school holidays) and work your way through the fun activities while learning more about prehistoric Australia.

For kids with a keen interest in dinosaurs that lived in the deep sea, head two hours’ north to Richmond to check out the incredible display of marine fossils at Kronosaurus Korner. Nearly 1,150 unique fossil specimens that were found in the local area are on display, including the 100+ million-year-old remains of extinct marine reptiles, fishes, ammonites and squids. During the school holidays, Kronosaurus Korner holds family-friendly digs that allow you all to play paleontologist for the day.

Want to explore even more of Outback Queensland’s dinosaur history? A self-guided tour of the Dinosaur Trail.

Stay and play on an outback station

The best way to learn the lay of the rugged land is to stay on an outback station. Shandonvale Station, 1.5 hours drive from Longreach, will give the whole family an authentic taste of what it’s like to live, work and play on a real working station.

Spend your days tagging along as Shandonvale Station’s owners Lane and Deon Stent-Smith and the team go about their daily chores of mustering cattle, feeding the farm animals (there are camels, donkeys, horses, emus, pigs, goats and more), picking fresh produce from the garden, and herding sheep in a buggy. Or, take advantage of all the natural beauty around you by taking a walk around the property, a dip in the mineral rich waters of the station’s treetop artesian bath, a chopper flight over the 150,000 acre property, or go fishing or kayaking on the lake.

Every night, your hosts put on a spectacular paddock-to-plate spread up at the Homestead, or you can cook your own meals inside your adobe - a four-bedroom converted 100-year-old Shearing Quarters.

Want more outback farm stay options? Here’s where else you can stay in Outback Queensland.

The Sapphire Gemfields

Fossick for hidden treasure

It’s not often everyday you get the chance to dig for real treasure. Kids will love the thrill of fossicking the Gemfields in the hope of finding a hidden gem.

Head to Fascination Gems in Rubyvale (45 minutes west of Emerald) to learn the ins and outs of how to fossick. Then, with your licence and necessary tools in hand and insider tips from an experienced miner, you’ll be ready to venture out on a self-drive tour and get your hands dirty.

If digging up dirt is a little too strenuous for your kids, you can always head to the Miners Heritage Tour in Rubyvale. They’ve already dug the mine so that's one less job for you to do. Simply buy a bucket of wash and sift through it for sapphires and zircon. When you’re done, make your way underground to learn about the colourful history of Australia’s largest walk-in mine.

For more tips on finding your fortune amongst the Sapphire Gemfields, check out this guide.

Savannah Way

Explore ancient lava tubes

The outback is more than just barren wastelands and a trip to Queensland’s Gulf Savannah country will quickly open your family’s eyes to a unique pocket of Australia. Out here, the scenery is lush, green and home to a natural geological wonder: the Undara Lava Tubes.

Inside the Undara Volcanic National Park is one of the longest lava tube cave systems in the world, which dates back more than 190,000 years ago. Undara Experience offers tours through the ancient lava tubes, where your guide will fill their little heads with interesting environmental, geological and historical facts about the volcanic rock formations. The more adventurous should opt for the Wind Tunnel Tour, which involves scrambling over rocks as you travel deeper into some of the more raw lava tubes.

Staying here is an outback adventure of its own. Sleep in old railway carriages or swag tents, enjoy a bush breakfast each morning, swim in the billabong-style pool, and at night, gather around the campfire for sing-a-longs, nature talks and other activities led by one of the local guides.

While you’re in the Gulf Savannah, check out the astounding Cobbold Gorge.

Where to next? Take the family on this Savannah Way road trip through Outback Queensland. Just brush up on these outback driving tips before you go.

Want even more ideas for things to do with kids in Outback Queensland? Try these kid-friendly adventures.