Outback Queensland is rich with blazing red, rugged landscapes, charming towns with character-filled pubs and some of the best bakeries around. Add friendly locals with so many stories to tell and bathing experiences under the stars, and you have a recipe for some unforgettable Outback Queensland adventures.
Spanning an area of just under one million kilometres, a visit to Outback Queensland means anything from fascinating historical tours, entertaining shows that’ll have you stepping back in time, dinosaur trails that’ll get your inner paleontologist excited, rollicking rodeos where the action never stops, and unexpected, restorative adventures under endless starry skies.
Here are six Outback Queensland attractions will help you to plan the trip of a lifetime in a place like no other on the planet.
1. Discover some of the world’s most fascinating dinosaur hotspots
Outback Queensland is the proud home of Australia’s Dinosaur Trail. This Jurassic-inspired journey includes realistic dinosaur replicas and even stampedes in action, ancient well-preserved fossils, digs with scientists, museums packed with incredible information and friendly staff, and so much more. The trail links the lovely outback towns of Winton, Richmond and Hughenden, which all have great eateries and places to stay if you want to linger longer.
The crème de la crème of Outback Queensland attractions for dinosaur lovers is Winton’s Australian Age of Dinosaurs, which is home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. Join the Ultimate Dinosaur Tour for a guided visit to the Collection Room and Fossil Preparation Laboratory, where you can touch real dinosaur fossils and help technicians to prepare bones for research and display. The tour also includes a self-guided walk through Dinosaur Canyon, where you’ll find four galleries with life-sized dinosaur exhibits, a 54-metre long sauropod track-site, a Cretaceous Garden, and more.
In Richmond, you can visit Australia’s premier marine fossil museum – Kronosaurus Korner.
Here, nearly 1,150 fossil specimens are on display, including the 100-11 million year old remains of extinct reptiles, fish, ammonites, and squids.
In Hughenden, quirky dinosaur sculptures adorn historic streets and public buildings. Hughie, a terrific seven-metre Muttaburrasaurus, is the star attraction of the extensive Flinders Discovery Centre. Children will also love the Fossil Dig Area, where they can dress up as fossil hunters and uncover hidden treasure.
If you want to experience all of this incredible Jurassic entertainment, be sure to pick an Australia’s Dinosaur Trail (ADT) Pass. The pass includes entry to all three towns’ museums, plus a tour of the world’s only recorded evidence of a dinosaur stampede, which is located 110km south-west of Winton.
You can also book a half-day pass to experience the dinosaur attractions in Winton HERE.
2. Cruise along on a paddlewheeler, & enjoy a bush tucker meal in the bush
Step aboard the historic Thomson Belle paddlewheeler for Outback Pioneers’ original Thomson River sunset cruise – a Longreach favourite that combines history, storytelling and outback hospitality. As the sun sinks, the river becomes a mirror of colour and calm, and the gum trees gently sway – it’s the perfect backdrop for photos with a glass in hand.
For a slower-paced option, the 3pm cruise (on select dates) adds an extra hour of riverbank time, where you can soak up the sunset from the terrace overlooking the Pride of the Murray restoration project.
The evening ends with Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show – a moving film that brings the daring adventures of legendary cattle duffer Captain Starlight (Harry Redford) to life.
If a bush tusker type meal amongst the gum trees by a roaring campfire is more your style book a hearty stockmen’s dinner, complete with bush poetry, yarns and the camaraderie of travellers under the stars, at Smithys Outback Dinner & Show.
3. Step back in time and sleep in a slab hut
There’s nothing better than the stars at night in the outback, except for sleeping in a hut that looks like something straight out of Yellowstone! When evening rolls around, retire in your choice of luxurious heritage accommodation in lodgings that will have you feeling like you stepped back in time and need your horse tied up out the front.
Reside in a rustic slab hut at Saltbush Retreat, complete with canopy bed loaded with beautifully quilted blankets, and a bathtub terrace beckoning you for some time under those twinkling stars.
Stay in the Homestead Stables, a luxurious twist on the rooms where stable boys used to sleep alongside their horses.
For true relaxation, select a pamper package and enjoy a soak in the outdoor bath terrace with chocolate, bath salts, and a silky smooth coffee or if it’s more to your liking, a glass of wine.
You want to combine your Longreach experience with dinos in Winton, and you can do that with a full-day tour from Longreach featuring all the highlights including the award-winning Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum.
You can book the tour HERE, and it includes:
- Visit Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum including Dinosaur Canyon (90-minutes)
- Lunch at the North Gregory Hotel
- Entry to the Waltzing Matilda Centre
- Time to see the main street, take a photo with Banjo and visit Winton Opal Gems
- Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach with your Outback Pioneers guide
4. Explore the universe, stargazing in Charleville
The uninterrupted illuminations of our night sky are truly awe-inspiring. With minimal air and light pollution, flat surroundings, and very few cloudy days, the outback town of Charleville is a sensational location for viewing the Milky Way.
At Charleville Cosmos Centre and Observatory, you can join a tour to watch the universe through a powerful Meade telescope. The extremely knowledgable guides are happy to share their knowledge on star clusters, planets, binary stars and nebulae while you view distant planets like never before.
During the day, the learning and wonderment continues. On a visit to the Cosmos Theatre, discover the explanation behind falling stars, the formation of the solar system, and its five new dwarf planets. You can even hold an other-worldly meteorite in your hands.
5. Get into the action at the Birdsville Races
On the edge of the Simpson Desert, the small town of Birdsville comes alive each September. Racegoers flood in, ready for two days of outback racing, glam and entertainment.
From its humble beginnings in 1882 with just a few local spectators, the Annual Birdsville Racing Carnival has quickly grown into a 13-race program recognised throughout the world.
You can join in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service at their annual Fun Run, or witness the last boxing tent showman in the world at Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe. For those who love glamour, there’s even a chance to dress up to for the Birdsville Races Cocktail Party.
Don’t forget to check out Tent City, a lively pop-up community built overnight before the races begin. It’s a popular choice for accomodation each year, as the races regularly book out all town accommodation.
6. Rollicking rodeos of Outback Queensland
Home to some of the best rodeos in Australia, Outback Queensland is spoilt when it comes to bull riding, steer wrestling, agricultural exhibits and live entertainment.
The rodeo capital of Australia is undoubtedly Mount Isa, where the biggest rodeo of the Southern Hemisphere takes place each year. Presented over three days, visitors can expect non-stop rodeo action with races for different experiences and age groups. Other festival highlights include local market stalls, sideshow alley games, nightly live music, and the Cowgirls in the Capital Cocktail Brunch.
Easter time welcomes the Augathella Diggers Rodeo & Races, an authentic experience in a town steeped in bushranger and sheep-station history. April also brings the Einasleigh Races & Rodeo, a terrific weekend of country-style racing, rodeo action and entertainment the whole family can enjoy.
To experience more Outback Queensland adventures in style, check out our story about great things to do in the charming outback town of Julia Creek.
Travel to Outback Queensland
To visit any of the places we mentioned, head to the Rex website or take a look at the route map below.
