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By Hannah Statham
When it comes to things to do in Outback Queensland, two words should come to mind: freedom and solitude.
The region spans some 901,574km2, which means there’s a whole lot of room for activities. Outback Queensland’s size creates so much diversity in the things for you to see and do. Where else can you go digging for dinosaurs one minute and inspect cutting-edge aerospace technology the next?
If you like your road trips long, your beers cold and characters warm, plan your itinerary with these 30 things to do in Outback Queensland.
Located 360km west of Cairns, on the Savannah Way in the outback of Tropical North Queensland, Talaroo Hot Springs is Australia’s only known tiered thermal hot spring and is a truly magical landscape full of rich culture and awe-inspiring nature. The unique North West Queensland geological wonder boasts a caravan park, campground and purpose-built amenities to serve as your base, while you spend the day sinking into the healing waters of the hot springs, or spotting wildlife on walks to the nearby Einasleigh River.
Whether you visit to tackle your own 4WD-ing prowess or come on a tour from Birdsville, you have to climb the 40metres to the top of Big Red for sunset. Bring a little Champagne, watch the colours and shadows of night form across the Simpson Desert, then board (or roll) your way back down.
Get back to nature at Queensland’s youngest gorge – around 135 million years young. The best way to soak up the scenery is to join Cobbold Gorge Tours for a boat or stand-up paddleboard tour through the gorge, then take in the views from above by walking across Australia’s first glass bridge across the chasm of the gorge. Since there’s limited phone reception in these parts, you’ll want to read this guide before you go.
Outback Queensland isn’t all red dirt. There’s an oasis just 15 minutes' drive from Biloela and it goes by the name Lake Callide Retreat. Here you can spend your days on the water of Callide Dam where your daily agenda will look like this: fish, eat, relax, repeat. If you can, time your visit for October to share the dam with anglers from across the state trying to hook a winner at the Lake Callide Family Fishing Classic.
For some of the best Indigenous rock art in Outback Queensland, explore the rock walls at Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park (currently closed). It’s World Heritage-listed for good reason – to preserve its striking red sandstone walls that contrast to the green waters that wind through it. The best jumping off point for this national park is Mount Isa, following this guide.
Sleeping in the Outback doesn’t require roughing it. Check into outback luxury at Gilberton Outback Retreat nestled on the edge of Gilberton Nature Refuge and you’ll be the only guests on this 88,000-acre station at any one time. Whether you choose to fill your day by joining your hosts for farm activities, fossicking for gold or resting in your luxurious bathtub (with views), there’s no phone reception to interrupt your deep relaxation.
Find more luxury outback experiences here, or check into these outback station stays.
Put your phone away – the only lights that need your attention in Charleville are the ones in the sky. Outback Queensland turns its small population (and limited light pollution) into a star attraction at the Cosmos Centre in Charleville. Join for daily tours which include daytime sun viewing or nightly stargazing, using state-of-the-art Meade telescopes to spot stars, planets and moons far, far away. Start planning your Charleville trip with this guide.
If you’ve made the massive journey to Lawn Hill, it pays to dive deep within the national park to find the Riversleigh World Heritage Site. This fossil field is so impressive, David Attenborough himself labelled it one of the top four most important deposits in the world. Make a beeline for Site D among the 10,000 hectares of parks to see fossilised mammals and reptiles.
Landscapes don’t come more vibrant than the one you’ll find at Porcupine Gorge National Park. Home to an impressive canyon that’s been carved out of sandstone over millions of years, the towering cliffs and surrounding landscapes are a hiker’s dream to explore. If you’re up to it, complete the pyramid walk or have a go at the Gorge Challenge (check out other Outback Queensland gorges here).
Queensland's Gulf Savannah holds a lot of wonder within its borders. And in the far north west of the state, where the outback meets the sea, you can learn and explore with the Gangalidda and Garawa Peoples thanks to Indigenous-owned Yagurli Tours. Connect with culture and incredible landscapes from 22,000 ft on a hot air balloon ride, a sunset cruise or a 4WD tour into the salt pans.
There’s more to Outback Queensland than meets the eye. Join Charleville ‘Magnificent 7’ Tour to see what else is hiding. Over the course of a day you’ll dig deep into Charleville’s roots from World War II top secrets to peering into the cosmos and meeting endangered species, uncovering Outback Queensland’s past, present and future.
When it comes to star power, Winton delivers more than just the cosmic kind. It’s been the set of numerous movies including Mystery Road, Goldstone, and The Proposition – and the town celebrates its vibrant arts culture each winter at the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival - held in the iconic open-air theatre. Find out how to make the most of the festival, following this guide.
Sometimes you just need a local’s perspective to get an authentic taste of Outback culture – and the legends at Outback Aussie Tours offer tours that take you to all corners of the outback, including Longreach, Winton, Birdsville, Corner Country and beyond. See what outback hospitality is all about with Outback Aussie Tours’ guided itineraries which all connect with rail and air transfers, taking all of the organisation stress out of your trip west.
Long drive distances not for you? Don’t dismiss these things to do in Outback Queensland just yet. Let Queensland Rail do the driving and do the locomotion across the great western plains in the luxury of a private sleeper on board the Spirit of the Outback train. See why it’s worthy of a place in this list of the seven best rail trips over here.
Save yourself the airfare to visit South Australia and New South Wales and simply stand in Queensland’s Cameron Corner. This is the corner of the map where all three states collide and a photo with its plaque forms part of a fortunate few visitors travel memories. For something fun, visit on New Years’ Eve to celebrate with three different time zones.
Buy from the bush with a Tambo Teddy. These little bundles of 100% wool are hand-made and come with their own personality and first name, borrowed from the local sheep stations in the area. Today over 70,000 teddies are in their fur-ever homes, including in the palace of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Ghost towns do exist outside of western movies, and Betoota is just one of them. As you roll into town, the sign reads ‘Welcome to Betoota, Population 0’. Of course, that all changes in the last weekend in August when it hosts the Betoota Races, part of the Simpson Desert racing carnival.
There’s plenty of famous pubs in Outback Queensland, but none so famous as the Walkabout Creek Hotel in McKinlay. This hotel was made famous 30 years ago for its role in Crocodile Dundee. While you won’t see Paul Hogan sauntering around the pub now, it’s as good a place as any for lunch and a beer – while soaking up the atmosphere of an Aussie icon.
Australia’s furthest town from the sea, Eromanga, has a rather large feather in its cap. It’s home to the bones of Australia’s largest dinosaur – a Titanosaur – which can be found at the Eromanga Natural History Museum. ‘Cooper’ is one of several fossil discoveries in this south-west pocket – pointing to Outback Queensland’s prehistoric past. Whether you want to tour the museum or join a dig, a photo with the 3D model of Cooper’s funny bone is an essential souvenir from this museum.
Few people can say they’ve followed the footsteps of dinosaurs, let alone visited what is believed to be the world’s only recorded dinosaur stampede. Visitors to Lark Quarry can see more than 3,300 fossilised dinosaur footprints, making it a must stop for anyone following this dinosaur trail.
Follow the Dinosaur Trail to Winton to discover the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. Their Dinosaur Canyon transports you 100-million years ago to the landscape these prehistoric creatures walked among. Finish your visit with a trip to the ‘most productive Fossil Preparation Laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere’ to see volunteers dusting off bones using intricate tools.
Can't get enough? Steer your wheel towards Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond. Here you’ll find the bones of extinct marine reptiles, fishes, ammonites and squids that have been perfectly fossilised from the days of Outback Queensland’s inland sea. You can also pick up the tools to join a Digging at Dawn tour, mini-paleo adventure days, or week-long dig experiences.
Stand in the very spot where the Australian Labor Party first formed after the Shearing Strike of 1891 – The Tree of Knowledge, Barcaldine. Although the original tree was poisoned, it’s since been replaced with a memorial that’s well worth the Barcaldine detour. Stop in the Outback’s own Garden City (all the streets here are named after plants), by following this itinerary along the Matilda Way.
If your knowledge of pioneering history is sketchy at best, pay a visit to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to life on the land. The evening Outback Stockman’s Live Show incorporates trick horses, dogs and sheep – a must watch for anyone on their first time to the outback.
Hear all about the legendary Jackie Howe in Blackall, whose 1892 record for blade shearing still stands today: 321 sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes, all by hand. This legend (of who the singlet is named after) went on to gain another record with electric shears, a title not broken for 58 years. You’ll find a statue of Jackie in the centre of Blackall town and a museum with a gallery and historic display. Did we mention this iconic road trip runs right through Blackall to see it?
The history of Australian aviation is filled with pages about Outback Queensland. Celebrate the national airline’s early days at Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach. Their collection includes the Consolidated PBY Catalina Flying Boat, the Super Constellation, Douglas DC3, Boeing 707 and Boeing 747. Tours include the opportunity to walk on the wing of a plane and stand inside an engine – a must for any aero-addict – along with captivating Light and Sound Shows by night. Start planning your Longreach itinerary with this guide to the ‘heart of the Outback’.
Quilpie Shire Railway Museum gives new meaning to the words “the end of the line”, as the end of Queensland’s western railway line. Although now just used for cattle, a quick chat to residents, reveal tales of the “The Flying Flea”, a two-carriage train that was allegedly the fastest passenger train in all of Queensland. If you’re thinking of a family road trip, here’s the perfect guide.
The Mount Isa Rodeo doesn’t attract bull riders the world over on the promise of outback hospitality alone. The prize money at this outback event is serious business, and adrenaline pumps both in and out of the chutes, with a program that includes bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback, steer wrestling, roping, ladies barrel racing and breakaway roping. The festival kicks off with the Indigenous Rodeo Championships and a rock concert that in 2024 will welcome Kasey Chambers and Christine Anu to the stage.
Swap the green fields of Caulfield and Flemington for a track of a different kind, joining the 6000+ other race-goers who make the trek to postcode 4482 for the Birdsville Races each year. You’ll need to see it to believe it – as the tiny town that usually has a population of 100 people swells to bursting the first weekend of September every year – and it’s a party on and off the track.
What do you do when you’ve got no neighbours for hundreds of kilometres? Bring Aussie rock royalty to the bush, turn up the volume and invite 10,000 of your closest friends. At least, that’s the reality for the Birdsville Big Red Bash. This bucket list worthy live event set to the backdrop of Big Red, draws thousands of music lovers who head west for three days of great tunes. Tickets sell out each year like hotcakes, so you’ll want to register early for updates and start planning your 2096km trip with this itinerary.
Swap thoroughbreds for camels at the Boulia Camel Races. This event is dubbed the ‘Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing’, and you can catch the action the week after Birdsville Big Red Bash. What makes camel racing more interesting than horse racing is the fact the camel’s mood determines the race outcome. Mark your calendar with more weird and wacky Queensland events.
Convinced to head west and eplore Outback Queensland? Start planning your trip.