Experience red dirt country with these guided tours of Outback Queensland

Want to visit the outback but not sure where to start, or how to get there? Forget stressing about the logistics: there are incredible guided tours of Outback Queensland that don’t just take away the planning, but offer a richer experience and locals touch so you can fully immerse yourself in the landscapes, history and atmosphere.

Incorporate day tours into your longer break to let the locals show you around, or let go of the reigns entirely and have the experts sort your entire holiday. Whatever way you do it, you’ll come away with a full heart having adventured through our outback.

Get to know the history and heart of the outback

If you’re coming to the outback, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in Longreach, its geographic beating heart. Once you get here, be sure to book a guided tour to discover beneath the surface and access some truly special spots. Outback Aussie Tours offers a huge range of tours to show you the heart and soul of the outback, from historic outback stations to sunset river cruises. And at Outback Pioneers, the Kinnon family share their outback lifestyle with guests across experiences like the Cobb & Co Stagecoach rides, evening cruises or a safari on working Nogo Station, where you can spot animals, help with stock supplies and visit historic shearing sheds, relaxing under the gum trees for lunch.

Further south near the New South Wales border, Dirranbandi Outback Tours will show you around the famous Cubbie Station and share the story behind the late Des Stevenson mastermind who initiated the beginning of Australia's largest cotton farm and the southern hemisphere's largest irrigation property. Nearby, discover the stories and legends of St George, its homesteads and historic homes, with stops at the heritage centre and a local winery.

Perhaps something you never expected in Outback Queensland: make your way to Charleville for the WWII Secret Tour to learn its fascinating past as a hidden US military outpost.

See it from the air

Short on time but big on luxury? Experiencing Outback Queensland from the air is truly the best way to witness its magnitude, uncovering landscapes that would take weeks to cross by road.

Get a bird’s eye view as you fly 2,000 kilometres into the outback with Seair on a three day adventure, dropping into iconic outback towns like Birdsville and Cunnamulla along the way. You’ll get a taste of the true Aussie outback on personalised scenic flights with Arid Air – and you’ll need only a free weekend for the two-day ‘Big Outback Taster’ explorer. See the best of the far west, with sunset in the Simpson Desert, a pub dinner at the Birdsville Hotel, and the chance to walk in the footsteps of legendary explorers to the site of the Bourke & Wills Dig Tree.

Kirkhope Aviation has been bringing travellers to the outback for over 40 years, and they’ll introduce you to the characters – and character – of red dirt country on three and four day air tours. Or, for an outback escape that drips luxury at every turn, Abercrombie & Kent offers private, small-group safaris where you’ll spend time soaking up landscapes at incredible properties, including Moble Homestead, Mitchell Grass Retreat and Mt Mulligan Lodge.

Travelling through North West Queensland? Cobbold Gorge Tours will make you appreciate this ancient outback gorge from all angles – whether you’re paddling through the waterways or taking in views from a chopper.

Escape where nature reigns supreme

From million-year old gorges to epic cave systems and landscapes that stretch beyond the horizon, Outback Queensland packs a punch – and those who prefer to travel with nature front and centre are well catered for on these guided tours.

Lace up your hiking boots for a multi-day walk through Australia’s hidden landscapes with Trek West. Exploring Herbertvale Station and surrounds on foot by day, you’ll be treated to barefoot luxury by night, with wine, cheeseboards, gourmet meals and glamping accommodation. Walking opportunities continue in Queensland’s south-west corner, where the Rutledge family of Moble Homestead offer the chance to experience the real Channel Country on a two-night experience where guided walks meet a unique taste of outback life. Stay tuned for their highly anticipated 2023 dates.

Make your way to Mount Isa to meet up with the crew from Adels Grove, who’ll give you a local’s introduction to remote Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill Gorge) National Park. Fully inclusive of accommodation, most meals, national park tours and a cruise through the gorge, this is an unbeatable way to experience one of Australia’s most remote wonders – and includes a visit to the World Heritage fossil fields at Riversleigh.

Our tropical north’s Savannah country is home to the best-preserved lava tube systems on earth, and Undara Experience offers small group tours through the caves as well as sunset wildlife tours to witness thousands of microbats emerge for the evening – be sure to stick around for outback camping or spend the night tucked into bed on their unique converted train carriages. If you or the kids prefer studying fossils under the microscope instead, plan to visit Eromanga Natural History Museum: the Dinosaur Insider’s program is your chance to get hands-on along the Dinosaur Trail for a few days, with activities and accommodation included.

Indigenous guided tours in Outback Queensland

Way up where the outback meets the sea, Yagurli Tours is your chance to explore and learn on the land of the Gangalidda and Garawa Peoples. Burketown is a remote spot few make it to, but if you do, there’s no better way to experience it than on a 4WD cultural tour through Australia’s largest salt pans, throw in a line on a fishing charter, or head out on dusk for a stargazing tour with a difference.

Venture to Barcaldine and let Trackers Tours’ Cheryl and Paul show you around. Their new Dinosaur Dreaming tour takes in Big Sky vistas, remnants of the Eromanga Sea and prehistoric finds through an Indigenous interpretation - with plenty of outback hospitality, of course.

Day tours to remember 

Travelling to Winton? Let award-winning Red Dirt Tours take the dirt roads for you. You can choose from a range of day tours to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Lark Quarry Dinosaur Stampede, Carisbrooke Station, Bladensburg National Park, the Diamantina River and more.  

In Mount Isa? North West Tours specialises in small group tours here. In a day you can gain local insight into the area’s history from when dinosaurs walked the earth to modern mining sites, and even head below ground to experience it yourself.

Get away for a while on a guided holiday

Searching for a guided tour of Outback Queensland that’ll take care of the entire adventure? We’ve got you covered.

In addition to their Longreach day trips, Outback Aussie Tours’ guided holidays will transport you on unforgettable getaways through the heart of the outback to our tropical Gulf Savannah, to Birdsville in the far west – check out their range of itineraries to find your dream escape.

Immerse yourself in the landscapes, history and culture of the outback on a 7 day guided tour with AAT Kings. Connect with local fifth-generation farmer ‘Outback Dan' at Camden Park Station, learn about life on working stations, go behind-the-scenes at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, and glamp under the stars – where you can focus on simply soaking it all in.

Want to attend one of Queensland’s incredible outback events? Get there with Karrabee’s Outback Pub Tours, where you’ll quench your thirst at Australia’s most iconic outback pubs and experience the fun and frivolity of outback races. People just do it differently out here, but you’re always invited to the party.