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  2. Explore Queensland
  3. Outback Queensland
  4. Things to do in Outback Queensland
  5. Drives
Queensland contains some of the most accessible Outback experiences Australia has to offer. We’re talking about the real deal – the true blue, fair dinkum, Aussie way to go bush. You don’t need to be an expert off-roader to explore the legendary Queensland Outback and get a taste for life on the land. 

Hit the road and witness endless blue skies, burnt orange sunsets and rich red deserts as you cruise the Matilda Highway from the New South Wales border all the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria, passing through Charleville, Longreach and Winton. 

If you have little ones in tow, you might prefer a shorter jaunt starting in Brisbane and venturing to the gateway to the west, aka Charleville, before trying your hand at station life in Cunnamulla and your luck at black opal mining in Lightening Ridge. Make one last stop in Goondiwindi before lopping back to the big city.

Dreaming of the ultimate 4WD adventure? Make your way from Brisbane to Birdsville. This route is packed full of opportunities to go off road, visit historic sites, stopover in outback National Parks, and soak in the eye-wateringly vast region.

Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs on the Channel Country Explorer drive or Ancient Outback tours through Mt Isa.

Combine country and coast on a self-guided drive from white sandy beaches to the red dust of the desert. Try the Overlanders Way, Central Queensland Outback Driveor Warrego Way.

Queensland’s Outback is connected by both sealed roads and dirt tracks. Before you head off, don’t forget to brush up on the basics for a safe and successful Australian road trip.
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Cosmos Centre and Observatory

Charleville, Murweh Area
From AU$10.00 - 65.00
Wow, Ooh ahh and Brilliant, are the words you hear as visitors view the incredible beauty of the Milky Way Galaxy, through the powerful Meade telescopes. Charleville's Cosmos Centre and Observatory is dedicated to ensuring visitors enjoy the wonder of the outback night sky.

Wilson River

Noccundra, Bulloo Area
Free Entry
The Wilson River Fishing Hole is situated within one kilometre of the historic Noccundra Hotel. All facilities are available at the hotel, however, you can camp along the river - for a simple gold coin donation to the Royal Flying Doctors Service at the Noccundra Hotel.

Jourama Falls, Paluma Range National Park

Paluma, Charters Towers Area
Free Entry
A picturesque waterfall on Waterview Creek, lush rainforest and fragrant woodlands are nestled in the foothills of the Seaview Range and protected as part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Set up camp beside Waterview Creek and head off along the Jourama Falls track to the lookout over the awe-inspiring falls.

Starlight’s Lookout

Longreach, Longreach Area
Free Entry
Located approximately 40 minutes drive from Longreach, Starlight’s Lookout can be accessed from unsealed Muttaburra-Westside Road. Camped on this very rise and surrounded by 1,000 head of stolen cattle, a handful of the outback’s most wanted cattle thieves sit huddled around their swags.

Stubby Bend

Tambo, Blackall-Tambo Area
Free Entry
On the banks of the Barcoo River away from the highway noise, Stubby Bend offers fully self-contained travellers a free site for camping. A variety of birds visit the area throughout the day, you can watch the kangaroos grazing in the afternoons, and quite often at night friendly possums will visit your camp site.

Bulloo River Walk

Quilpie, Quilpie Area
Free Entry
A stroll along the Bulloo River Walk is a tranquil way to appreciate the native flora and fauna of the Bulloo River Catchment. Signs, bearing information about the plant species, are located along the walk.

Isla Gorge National Park

Isla, Banana Area
Free Entry
Soft precipice sandstone has eroded into a breathtaking panorama of cliffs, peaks, overhangs, tunnels and arches. The rock changes from yellow to orange and pink with the angle of the sun. Brilliant displays of flowering wattles appear from mid winter and boronias, red grevilleas and grasstrees blossom in August and September.

Roma's Largest Bottle Tree

Roma, Maranoa Area
Free Entry
Roma's largest bottle tree, which has the incredible girth of 9.51 metres, a height of six metres and a crown of 20 metres, was transplanted by Roma Town Council to its present location from a local property in 1927.

John Egan Pioneer Track

Stonehenge, Barcoo Area
Free Entry
The John Egan Pioneer Track highlights the ecological and cultural values of the Stonehenge town reserve. The track passes through downs country, scenic hill view country, spectacular erosions and rocky outcrops, natural springs and waterfalls (in wet seasons).

Lake Paluma

Paluma, Charters Towers Area
Free Entry
Lake Paluma is an attractive lake surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. It provides a water supply for approximately one third of the year. Weather proof shelters for day use with barbecues are available and camping sites for longer stays.
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