Adventure and learning experiences the kids will love on Queensland’s Natural Sciences Loop

Day 1: Charleville

Start your trip in Charleville with a visit to the Save the Bilby Fund. Here you’ll learn all about Australia’s most famous endangered marsupial and see the cute little bilbies in their nocturnal home.

Next, drive into town and have lunch at the famous heritage listed Hotel Corones. Built in the 1920s, this hotel once welcomed famous aviators, politicians, royal family members, and other celebrities.

In the afternoon, head over to the Charleville Cosmos Centre where the kids will love exploring the Cosmos Shuttle. This attraction is full of interactive installations where the kids will have fun learning about the solar system. 

In the afternoon, look at the sun’s solar flares through the Cosmos Centre’s special solar scope and then after dark, head to the Big Sky Observatory, where you’ll learn all about the Milky Way, stars, planets and other galactic wonders.

Spend the night in a family self-contained cabin at one of the local caravan parks such as Cobb & Co or the Bailey Bar.

Day 2: Charleville to Cunnamulla (199 km / 2 hrs)

Start the day by taking the kids to see the automated weather balloon being released at the Bureau of Meteorology.  This rather unique event takes place each morning at 9.15 am.  Next, head on over to the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Centre, an excellent interactive place for the kids to learn about the incredible work of the Royal Flying Doctors.

Mid morning it's time to hit the road and head to Cunnamulla. Stop in Wyandra and have lunch at the Gladstone Pub. Once a booming railway settlement, today Wyandra is a tiny town of just 116 people.

In Cunnamulla, head straight to the Cunnamulla Fella Centre, where you’ll learn about the Great Artesian Basin. Watch the short documentary and explore the Artesian Time Tunnel – a fun interactive attraction that explains how the Great Artesian Basin is the primary water source in the outback.

Don’t leave the Cunnamulla Fella Centre without having the obligatory photograph with the Cunnamulla Fella. This huge bronze statue was built in honour of the famous Slim Dusty song.

Around dusk, head to the Cunnamulla Bushlands – the perfect time to see kangaroos and emus. Stroll around the bushland paths, and even if you don’t see any animals, the kids will enjoy seeing their footprints and identifying which prints belong to which animals.

Spend the night in a self contained family cabin at the Cunnamulla Tourist Park.  While there, head out the back and let the kids climb up the huge sand dunes - another great place for spotting kangaroos and emus.

For dinner, take the family for a meal at Hotel Cunnamulla Restaurant.

Day 3: Cunnamulla to Yowah (158 km / 1hr 45m) 

Today you’ll head west, you can stop at Eulo if you have time, or continue on to the cute and quirky town of Yowah - famous for its Yowah Opal Nut.

Check into the Artesian Waters Caravan Park - they have some basic motel style rooms.  But even better are their Artesian bathhouses – the perfect place to relax in the natural hot artesian waters. Although for a family, it’s probably best to head across the road to the Yowah Artesian Spa which has large pools filled with artesian water. 

For lunch, walk to the Blue Wren Café and Restaurant, where you’ll feel like you’re visiting family rather than a restaurant.  Then go to the general store – part of the Artesian Waters Caravan Park and grab a few fossicking licences. After head to the local fossicking fields and let the kids try their luck at finding the famous Yowah nut.

To end the day, drive to the top of Bluff for a phenomenal sunset which spectacular views across outback Queensland.

Day 4: Yowah to Thargomindah (96 km /1hr 15m)

Today you’ll continue west to Thargomindah or “Thargo”, as the locals call it. Thargo is famous for being the first town in Australia (and the third in the world behind Paris and London) to produce hydroelectric power for street lighting.

In Thargomindah take a self guided walking tour, starting at the Visitor Centre to grab a tour code card and map. Be sure to visit the Old Jail, Hydro Power Plant and the Old Hospital, made entirely from mud bricks and is a little bit spooky. At each of these attractions, your tour code card will activate some interesting videos where you’ll learn more about these fascinating places.

Spend the night in a family self contained room at Explorers Caravan Park and enjoy a meal at the Bulloo River Hotel.

Day 5: Thargomindah to Eromanga (280 km / 3hrs)

On the road early, today drive to Eromanga. Once in town – stop by the Royal Hotel for a great pub lunch. Afterwards, get a photo of the kids with the 5 metre tall dinosaur riding a surfboard – acknowledging that Eromanga is the farthest town in Australia from the sea.

Next up – what the kids have been waiting for on the entire trip – a visit to the Eromanga Natural History Museum. Home to the largest dinosaur fossils in Australia, your guide will take you around the museum, and you can even take part in a real life dig or fossil preparation experience.

Lastly, check in to the gorgeous Cooper’s Country Lodge and enjoy another incredible outback sunset.

Day 6: Eromanga to Quilpie (106 km / 1hr 15 m)

Today it’s a short drive to Quilpie. On arrival, head to the Visitor Centre, where you’ll find the Railway Museum, the Military History Museum and the Art Gallery. 

Next, pick up a fossicking kit at the Heritage Inn and take the kids to the free fossicking fields to try and find the exquisite boulder opal. Better yet – first take them to the amazing Opal Alter at St Finbarrs Church to show them exactly what they are looking for.

Now it's time to check in your spectacular accommodation – The Lake. This is an operational sheep station, with the bonus of being a short stroll from Lake Houdraman. The kids will absolutely love it here, and their family cottage or shearer’s quarters is the perfect place to stay.

Stroll around The Lake, and then an hour or so before sunset, grab some nibbles and drive over to Baldy Top Lookout. It’s just a short walk to the top, where you’ll have prime position for yet another spectacular sunset, with phenomenal views across outback Queensland.

After sunset, head back to The Lake and join fellow guests for a few drinks and homemade soup or stew around the campfire. 

Day 7: Quilpie to Charleville (211 km / 2hrs 15m)

Today you’ll drive two hours back to where it all started in Charleville. 

If you’re heading back to Brisbane, then a great place to stop along the way is Roma. A detour to the stunning natural wonderland Carnarvon Gorge is also worth considering.