Having a yarn over a beer at the bar is one of the most quintessential Aussie experiences out there. Chuck in some delicious pub grub from an Outback Queensland pub, and a cosy room to rest your head, and you’ve got one hell of a trip.
For those planning an Outback Queensland getaway, make sure to check out these iconic Outback Queensland pubs, where you can do tours, meet the locals and explore the surrounding towns. There’s sure to be plenty of memories made out there where the skies seem endless.
Outback Queensland pubs don’t get more iconic than the Birdsville
If you’re a true blue Aussie, than you probably can’t think of a more iconic outback pub.
Built in 1884, The Birdsville Hotel is a destination in itself, standing on the edge of the Simpson Desert. The pub has its fair share of history, having endured floods, fires and cyclones since the first brick was laid in 1884.
The Birdsville Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation, traditional pub food, ice-cold beverages and even a quality wine list. It’s also the launch point for a scenic flight over Birdsville and surrounds, or a ground tour to watch the sunset over the famous Big Red sand dune.
For adventurous spirits, there’s even 4WD mini buses specifically modified to handle the outback terrain.
Every year when the Birdsville Bash is on, the small town which normally has a population of 110 people, has an influx of more than 10,000 campers, caravaners, and all sorts of adventurers, heading out to enjoy days of music in the desert under Big Red.
Yaraka Hotel – a hidden gem with incredible views
The small town of Yaraka is located about 220km south of Longreach and is nestled against the Yang Yang Ranges, giving it a spectacular postcard-worthy backdrop.
The warm outback hospitality of the family-run Yaraka Hotel is unmissable, just like the 360-degree views from nearby Mount Slowcombe. Enjoy great home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. The beer is cold, the bar is lively, and the small and friendly team are always up for a yarn.
The Yaraka Hotel has air-conditioned budget accommodation, or for those with a campervan or caravan, powered sites are available for $3 a night just 100 metres from the pub. Don’t miss out on the Yaraka Hotel Sunset Trip to Mount Slowcombe, which you can join for the cost of a donation to the Yaraka School Fund or the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Trips can be arranged from the pub, taking you through the spectacular scenery and into the heart of the Yang Yang Range to sites including Magee’s Shanty (rumoured location of where Banjo Patterson wrote A Bush Christening).
Hotel Corones – Charleville’s iconic institution
Heritage-listed Hotel Corones was first built in the 1920s, and remains one of the most iconic destinations in Charleville. The iconic Outback QLD pub has a hotel, motel, bar, bistro, bottle shop, dog wash and laundromat.
Get a feel for the pub’s glory days on the Historical Tour, where a guide from Charleville’s Visitor Information Centre will take you to areas not available to the general public. You’ll learn all about the stories and experiences of early Charleville local Harry Corones, before settling down with a refreshing drink.
The hotel’s bar is decorated with a Roman mosaic floor and stained glass windows, the perfect location for a romantic evening. The hotel also has a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, including 35 hotel rooms located upstairs, via the impressive silky oak staircase. Stay in one of the standard or heritage hotel rooms, or an original VIP heritage room that includes an en suite, kitchenette and private balcony. Ground-floor motel rooms are also available for those wishing to travel on a budget.
Many famous figures have spent the night here, including the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Gough Whitlam, and Amy Johnson.
For more things to do while in town, the Charleville School of Distance Education runs tours every weekday to give visitors a unique insight into this different way of schooling. Learn how the school operates and sit in on a lesson with a teacher while students begin their lessons.
Travellers can also stop in at the Charleville Cosmos Centre on a clear night to peer into our galaxy and soak up the endlessly fascinating knowledge from local astronomers.
Walkabout Creek Hotel – a Hollywood star
While travelling along the Matilda Way, you can’t drive past McKinlay’s famous pub, The Walkabout Creek Hotel, without stopping in for a cold one. Originally known as the Federal McKinlay Hotel, you would recognise this pub from Crocodile Dundee, one of Australia’s most famous films.
If you’re a fan of the film, check out the Crocodile Dundee memorabilia, and grab a photo with the weathered cut-out of Mick Dundee inside. The Never Never Safari truck, featured in the movie, is also parked outside.
Grab a beer, one for you and one for your mate, and enjoy the local atmosphere at this landmark hotel. For overnight stays, air-conditioned rooms, powered and unpowered sites are all available.
While in McKinlay, visit McKinlay’s ‘Crafty Old School House’ located in Wylde Street. Out the front is a sculpture of a Coolibah Tree, locally handcrafted from vintage metal objects collected from local stations.
Or, if you like to check out mining sites (and the massive machinery that keeps them rolling), 87 kilometres south of McKinlay, the South32 Cannington Mine is the world’s largest and lowest-cost single mine producer of both silver and lead. Opened in 1997, Cannington was the supplier of silver for the Olympic Games medals in Sydney in 2000, and again for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Loving these iconic outback pubs? To read about more great things to see and do in the charming outback town of Charleville, click here.
Check Rex’s latest flight schedules to reach places like Birdsville, Charleville and Quilpie with ease at rex.com.au. Or, take a look at the route map below.
