Bedourie is one of three towns found in the Diamantina Shire, a wonderful oasis in the heart of the Queensland desert.
Visitors to the region will find many incredible natural wonders to explore, and revel in the chance to spot some lesser-known Aussie animals.
Diamantina National Park
A short drive from the town of Bedourie is the Diamantina National Park, known as one of the top 10 national parks in Australia according to the Worldwide Fund for Nature. And it certainly earns this title. Visitors have access to so many natural wonders, including everything from waterholes to sand dunes to grasslands.
For adventurous spirits, the Diamantina National Park circuit is a 600km long track that will take you all around this stunning region. Along the way, you can try horse riding or kayaking to get up close with the local animals, including rare and threatened species.
Cuttaburra Crossing
Cuttaburra Crossing is a well-known permanent waterhole found on the Eyre Creek. It might be a smaller natural wonder, but this body of water is well worth a visit when exploring the desert. It’s home to several unique bird species, and bird hides along the bank of the creek offer the ideal location for birdwatching. Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, visiting the Cuttaburra Crossing will be an experience to remember.
Janets Leap
Driving up to Janet’s Leap will give you bird’s eye views over the Diamantina River. From here, you’ll also be able to spot Mount Mary and Moses Cone, natural landmarks that take their names from Karuwali tracker Budgeree (Moses) and his sister Mahibi (Mary-Anne). We suggest going at sunset for the best picture-worthy views. Take a picnic and soak up the last of the sunlight with a spectacular backdrop.
Big Red
This 40-meter-high sand dune is more than just the location for Queensland’s Big Red Bash. It’s one in a collection of over 1000 similar dunes spanning across the Simpson Desert. Its deep red colour and staggering height makes it a sight to behold, one sure to excite the whole family. Big Red is also great for 4WD experiences, a natural wonder bound to get your heart racing.
Munga Thirri National Park
Also known as Simpsons Desert, Munga Thirri National Park is the location of more than 1,000,000 hectares of sand dunes and salt pans. It’s also home to more than 180 species of bird, including the Eyrean Grasswren and Wedge Tailed Eagle.
Munga Thirri National Park may be known as a bird-watchers paradise, but there’s plenty more to see. Studying the sand dunes, you may also spot the tracks left behind by Dingoes, as well as other mammals like rabbits and camels. Australia’s biggest lizard, the perentie, also calls this region home.
Artesian Bore
A less conventional natural experience, the Bedourie Artesian Bore is a bore-hole drilled into the Great Artesian Basin, the largest and deepest artesian basin in the world. The basin is the primary source of fresh water for many inland areas in Australia, stretching over 1,700,000 square kilometers.
In Bedourie, water from this bore was drilled way back in 1905, and is now used to supply warm, crystal-clear water to the nearby Bedourie Artesian Spa. When visiting, you are invited to sit back and relax in the warm natural waters, which are known to relieve tension and aches. This may not be like the other natural wonders, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
Can’t get enough of these natural wonders? To learn more about Bedourie, click here.
