The ultimate backpackers guide to Outback Queensland

Queensland is a land synonymous with surf towns, beautiful beaches, and rainbow reefs, but it’s not just sand and sea that you’ll find in this vast state. Head out west to the Outback and you’ll discover a rugged region, rich with Indigenous culture, red deserts, outdoor adventure, and welcoming towns with no shortage of history between them. Making up 65% of the state in sheer size, it’s best explored as a part of a road trip. But deep pockets aren’t required - Outback Queensland is surprisingly budget-friendly, with many of its leading activities free. This backpacker’s guide to Outback Queensland promises you plenty of inspiration ahead of your travels.

Where is Outback Queensland?

You’re guaranteed to experience something new in Outback Queensland. Out west is where the red desert lives, an immense district 901,574km2 in size. Its main destinations include Mount Isa in the north-west (which can be visited via a three-hour direct flight from Brisbane), and Longreach, a 13-hour drive from Brisbane up the centre of Queensland. In the far west, you’ll find Birdsville, best discovered on the Warrego Way, a 1578km journey (48 hours) from Brisbane which will see you stop off at historic towns like Roma and Charleville.

Stay

The Staging Post, Longreach

If you fancy a slight splurge, this accommodation option is the place to do it. A revamped motel in the heart of Longreach, The Staging Post sits within easy walk to the town’s many attractions including the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Qantas Museum. There is free WiFi, rooms for groups, kitchenettes, and airport shuttles.

North Gregory Hotel, Winton

Winton’s North Gregory Hotel might be simpler in its accommodation but is steeped in history. After all, this is the pub in which Banjo Paterson played Waltzing Matilda for the first time back in 1895. The upstairs you’ll find cosy rooms ranging from singles to family rooms, with a caravan park out back.

Corella Creek Country Farm Stay, Julia Creek

Grab your swag ahead of this farm stay around a two-hour drive from Cloncurry. Corella Creek Country Farm Stay is home to both a campground and an eco-village with cabins, plus its own on-site cafe and farm tours for you to get involved in the property’s running if you want to get a taste for real working farm life.

Cobbold Village, Cobbold Gorge

After a day spent traversing the rock formations of the Cobbold Gorge by foot and paddle, you’ll find solace at Cobbold Village. There are standalone huts, semi-self-contained station suites, or single rooms to choose from – all equipped with that all-important air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. Or for something even more wallet-friendly, pitch a tent at the adjoining campsite. Best of all, you have access to the village’s amenities including MacDonalds Bar & Bistro, plus a nirvana-like infinity pool with a swim up bar.

Birdsville Tourist Park, Birdsville

Cheap and cheerful is the best description of Birdsville Tourist Park. Picture 84 powered sites spread aross 30 acres, which nudge a gathering of two, three and five berth en-suite cabins for those travelling solo and larger groups, plus a motel-style building with shared bathroom dreamt up for backpackers.

Play

Australian Age of Dinosaurs

A chance to delve into the prehistoric should also form a part of any backpackers Outback Queensland itinerary. Winton sits on Queensland’s dinosaur trail, with the remote town host to Australian Age of Dinosaurs and its ample collection of fossils (it can lay claim to the most productive Fossil Preparation Laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere).

Mount Isa Rodeo

The nation’s best rodeo riders descend on the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo every August to take part in the Southern Hemisphere’s largest event of its kind. More than 600 cowboys and cowgirls compete across three days in a series of different rodeo events, joined by country music performances, bush poetry, boxing, and more.

QANTAS Founders Museum

Australia’s most famous airline is in fact from Outback Queensland. Longreach’s Qantas Founders Museum tracks the aviation brand’s early days with an interactive display of former aircrafts, which include a Boeing 747 and PBY Catalina Flying Boat.

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park (currently closed)

Accessible from Mount Isa you’ll find one of the most beautiful natural landmarks of Outback Queensland. Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park is a World Heritage-listed wonder, a gathering of sandstone cliffs and emerald green waterways that can be explored by both foot and paddle. It’s not just the rugged beauty of this place that will give you goosebumps either - this destination is home to some of the best Indigenous rock art of the region.

The Birdsville Races

Any backpackers guide to Outback Queensland should mention the Birdsville Races in Diamantina Shire, which sees the tiny town swell in population from around 100 people to 6,000 for a single event. As you can imagine, accommodation is scarce from this sudden influx, which sees a tent city arise for the festivities.

Cosmos Centre, Charleville

Indulge your soft spot for space in regional Charleville, where you’ll find the Cosmos Centre. The astronomy-devoted space offers both day and night tours, with experienced guides helping you to spot stars, planets, and moons within eyesight.

Eat and Drink

Walkabout Creek Hotel, McKinlay

A visit to the Walkabout Creek Hotel belongs in any backpackers guide to Outback Queensland. Not just because the food and drink at this Outback pub is seriously tasty, but rather because it was made famous by Paul Hogan a good 30 years ago as regular watering hole of a certain Crocodile Dundee.

Casey’s, Longreach

Coffee forms the focus at this burgeoning cafe in Longreach, which serves First Batch Beans paired with one of seven different milks. There are plenty of snacks to enjoy too with a bounty of different home-baked goods available in the cabinet each day.

Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville

Built back in 1884, the Birdsville Hotel has long been a loved drinking den, for both the locals of this community and its many visitors. But it’s not just pints that the historic venue has to offer - traditional pub grub is on the menu, with hearty portions of traditional favourites.

Birdsville Bakery, Birdsville

Delicate pastries may not be typically associated with Outback Queensland, but Birdsville Bakery may soon change that. It’s here that you’ll find plenty of buttery treats, alongside barista-made coffee, fresh bread, pies and casual bites like sandwiches and wraps packed with flavour.

North Gregory Hotel, Winton

Don’t just expect decent accommodation but a delicious meal on the side at the North Gregory Hotel. The Art Deco building serves a seasonally focused menu in its ample beer garden, plucking its ingredients locally, from Channel Country beef to Gulf of Carpentaria fish.

Betoota Hotel, Birdsville

The town of Betoota on Birdsville’s edge may be a ghost town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pay a visit. You can rest your head at the camp site out back once you’ve had a meal in its restaurant. Pro tip: order the steak sandwich and thank us later.