Icons of the Queensland outback: Five must-do experiences
From stargazing under pristine night skies to soaking in mineral-rich artesian waters, Outback Queensland offers a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences.
1. Delve deep into Australia’s pioneering history
Australia’s rich pioneering history and authentic outback traditions rise to the fore in Longreach, a town steeped in history – old and new – from Aboriginal traditions to pioneers, stockmen and Australian aviation history.
Visit the iconic Australian Stockman’s Hall Of Fame and take in their live show where the skills and tradition of Outback stockmen are brought to life. Fine tune your whip cracking skills and take a journey through 40,000 years of history as you explore the Heritage Centre exhibits.
Adjacent to the Hall of Fame, you will find the Qantas Founders Museum which celebrates the evolution of Qantas and Australia’s aviation industry. The centre has a spectacular night time experience offering a light and sound show where the Qantas story comes to life projected against the museum’s mighty Boeing 747.
Step back in time with Outback Pioneers and ride their Cobb & Co Stagecoach along the old Longreach-Windorah Mail route. The Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience also includes a delicious Outback smoko (morning tea), a classic bush movie in the old theatrette and the Old Time Tent Show.
Round your pioneering adventures off with Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show. This award-winning experience will see you take a tour along the Thomson River before enjoying dinner under the stars. You’ll feast on a camp oven dinner like no other while treated to a live Outback show.
The Australian Stockman’s Hall Of Fame in Longreach.
2. Stargaze under Australia’s best dark skies
Far away from the bright city lights, the skies of outback Queensland offer the very best cosmic views.
Charleville, 745km from Brisbane, is the ‘star-studded’ capital of outback Queensland and one of the best locations in Australia to view the Milky Way.
The Charleville Cosmos Centre boasts a series of tours and observatories offering both daytime and night time experiences.
For a unique stargazing experience, head to Charlotte Plains outside of Cunnamulla where you can enjoy an afternoon soaking in their hot springs before relaxing in their outdoor baths under the millions of stars that fill the skies overhead.
When it comes to star power, Winton also delivers in droves from the cosmic kind to the silver screen.
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton has been awarded the first international certification for their sanctuary, perched high on a jump-up, the perfect place to view some of the darkest skies in the world.
While in Winton, see stars of the Hollywood kind with an evening session at the Royal Open Air Theatre. This iconic open-air theatre was built in 1918 and is just one of two open-air theatres still operating in Australia.
3. The must-see sporting tradition of camel racing
Camel racing has been part of outback life since the 19th century and is now considered a must-see experience, drawing spectators and competitors from across the country.Enjoy all the thrills of this unique sporting tradition with the Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail. This epic journey follows three major racing events from Jundah and Birdsville through to Bedourie and Boulia.
Start the trail in Jundah, then head to Birdsville for the inaugural Camel Carnival, before making your way to Bedourie. From there, the excitement builds in Boulia, home to Australia’s longest camel race. The final stop is Winton, where a one-day event wraps up the season in true Outback style.
More than just a sporting spectacle, the Desert Champions Way is a cultural experience, celebrating the legacy of the cameleers who shaped the region.
Entry to the Eromanga Natural History Museum.
4. Dinosaur discoveries centuries in the making
The vast outback Queensland landscape is home to fossil rich landscapes boasting a rich catalogue of marine, dinosaur and megafauna fossils.
From Muttaburra and Mount Isa, all the way to Eromanga, outback Queensland provides bucket list opportunities to see life-sized dinosaur replicas, a working fossil laboratory and real dinosaur footprints – no special effects needed! You can even get your hands dirty by joining a real dinosaur dig.
Australia’s Dinosaur Trail encompasses the towns of Winton, Hughenden and Richmond all offering incredible prehistoric discoveries and experiences.
5. Bespoke bathhouses with a distinct outback flavour
Nearly 68% of the Great Artesian Basin flows under outback Queensland, offering mineral-rich waters that are accessible via natural springs, pools, spas and bespoke bath houses.
The Wellness Way will take you on a deep dive into these ancient waters set against a variety of unforgettable landscapes.
A highlight of the trail is Cunnamulla and the Paroo Shire which lays claim to being Australia’s hot springs capital. A number of bath houses and springs can be found in the shire with a highlight being the Cunnamulla Hot Springs facility.
Set among breathtaking scenery along the Warrego River, this unrivalled spa experience offers multiple free-flowing pools of mineral-rich artesian water at various temperatures. Indulge in a cold plunge pool, sauna, and steam room to find your perfect relaxation ritual.
As you soak, catch a stunning sunset or a star-studded sky to add an extra touch of magic to your experience.
Outdoor bathing has become a ritual synonymous with outback Queensland and with over 25 bathing locations on offer, you’ll have ample opportunity to soak, sip, savour and stargaze in some of Australia’s most unforgettable locations.
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