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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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Cracow Beach

Isla, Banana Area
Free Entry
Cracow Beach is a beautiful spot on the Dawson River and Delusion Creek Junction, located 18 kilometres north-west of Cracow along Isla-Delusion Road. It is surrounded by Livistona palms and native bush land and is the perfect stop over point to relax and enjoy the calm and serenity, or try a spot of fishing.

Isisford

Isisford, Longreach Area
The Outback town of Isisford was settled in the mid 1800s and the architecture reflects the lifestyle of it's humble beginnings. The Outer Barcoo Interpretive Centre, a museum depicting the evolution of nature from 100 million years ago to the present.

Lloyd Jones Weir

Barcaldine, Barcaldine Area
Free Entry
Lloyd Jones weir is situated 14 kilometres south west of Barcaldine. It is a camping, recreation and fishing area. It's open daily, all year round and is a great place to enjoy the surrounds of Barcaldine.

Quilpie

Quilpie, Quilpie Area
A stay in Quilpie can be as busy or as relaxing as you wish. Picnic and fish at the Bulloo River or swim a few lazy laps of the pool. Enjoy the native bottlebrush trees and beautiful gardens around the district, and the stunning wildflowers (in season) throughout the surrounding countryside.

Thargomindah

Thargomindah, Bulloo Area
Thargomindah provides the perfect launch pad for Cameron Corner – the point where three Australian states meet – the iconic Burke and Wills ‘Dig’ Tree at Cooper Creek and historic hotels at Noccundra and Hungerford.

Salvator Rosa, Carnarvon National Park

Tambo, Blackall-Tambo Area
Free Entry
Crystal clear springs add more than ten million litres of water a day to peaceful Louisa Creek and the Nogoa River as they meander beneath a backdrop of rocky sandstone crags and spires. Named by explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846, Salvator Rosa is at the western edge of the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt.

Thomson River, Longreach

Longreach, Longreach Area
Free Entry
The Thompson River is located approximately four and a half kilometres north west of Longreach along the Landsborough Highway heading to Winton. While offering perfect camping spots along its banks, walking tracks and a 'beach', the river is also home to a number of species of fish, turtles and yabbies.

Alpha

Alpha, Barcaldine Area
Alpha, the “Gateway to the West” was named after an early property in the area which was taken up in 1863 and then became established as a service town for railway construction workers. The town belongs to the Barcaldine Shire, one of Queensland’s largest cattle producing areas.

Lily Lagoon

Longreach, Longreach Area
Free Entry
Lily Lagoon is a temporary waterhole fed by the Thomson system usually after good floods. The lilies are from the Hymphea genus of water lilies and are unique to the Thomson River system, being found only around Longreach.

Jambin

Jambin, Banana Area
A rural hub with a pub to service weary travellers, Jambin is on the Burnett Highway just south of Smoky Creek. Part of the Callide Valley, the town is wedged between the Callide Creek to the west and the highway to the east, making it a picturesque spot to stop.
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