Heritage and locals

Save Bookmark
  2. Explore Queensland
  3. Outback Queensland
  4. Things to do in Outback Queensland
  5. Heritage and locals

Outback Queensland is part of the fabric of Australia’s identity. You’ll meet people who have the time to stop and chat and smile! Talk to drovers, truck drivers, farmers, publicans, artists, prospectors, miners. And it’s not just the residents that have stories to tell. The connection to history from the time of the dinosaurs to Australia’s first steps of nationhood is palpable. You never know who you’ll meet sitting on the bar stool next to you. It could be the local mayor or a farmer whose family has been on the land for generations.

Australian history

Listen to the rich 40,000-year history of the country’s Aboriginal people and their legends prior to European settlement. Contemplate the stories of Australia’s formative years as a nation as you wander the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach. Head to the Qantas Founders Museum to learn about the origins of Australia’s national carrier. Venture back to the time of the country’s frontier years when it was still finding its feet as a fledgling nation and ride an authentic Cobb & Co stagecoach. Learn about Banjo Paterson’s Waltzing Matilda in Winton and see where the song was first performed.

Outback pubs

Visit a local watering hole at one of the ever-present Outback pubs that decorate Queensland’s interior. Whether a grand old federation building with a sweeping verandah or a tin shack, you know you will get a cold beer, a big steak and a good dose of local gossip.

Bush races and rodeos

Party with the locals at a bush race, like Birdsville, Boulia Camel Races or a slew of other events. Sit on the edge of your seat watching man versus beast at the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere at Mount Isa.

Plan your holiday

Things to see and do
List Map
Filters Show
Displaying 1-10 of 105
Sort by:
Show:

Outback Pioneers

Multiple Locations
Outback Pioneers' award-winning outback tours and experiences, based in Longreach, is all about holidays and experiences that bring the pioneer past to life and take you to the heart of what it means to live large in a region many hundreds of kilometres from big-city boundaries.

Qantas Founders Museum

Longreach, Longreach Area
From AU$18 - 165
Qantas Founders Museum is an independent not-for-profit community organisation, operating since 1996, to commemorate the ethos and preserve the material heritage of the founders and early operations of Qantas Airways Ltd.

Outback Aussie Tours

Multiple Locations
Explore Outback Queensland and beyond with Outback Aussie Tours, a multi-award winning touring company and Savannah Guides accredited operator. They will take you on a journey to discover the natural and cultural heritage to favoured Outback places like Longreach, Winton, Birdsville, Corner Country, Gulf Savannah, Cape York and Torres Strait.

Cobbold Gorge Tours

Multiple Locations
Deep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region of Far North Queensland is a hidden outback oasis - Cobbold Gorge. Only a six hour drive from Cairns and Townsville, you can immerse yourself in the natural wonder of a truly unique North Queensland outback holiday destination.

Longreach Powerhouse Museum

Longreach, Longreach Area
From AU$6 - 8
The Longreach Powerhouse Museum is the largest preserved rural generating facility in Australia. Displays in this building explain how electricity was generated, maintained and distributed throughout the Shire, and the distribution network maintained.

Major Mitchell Memorial

Blackall, Blackall-Tambo Area
Free Entry
The Major Mitchell Memorial, located in Shamrock Street, was unveiled on September 19, 1946. Thomas Mitchell was the first European to explore the area in 1846, which then led to the area being opened up for settlement.

Zara Clark Museum

Charters Towers, Charters Towers Area
From AU$5 - 8
This National Trust museum houses a large collection of photographs, equipment and other memorabilia that reflects Charters Towers' golden and military past. Their friendly volunteers are only too willing to share their special stories and demonstrate some of the equipment that is housed in the historic Burns Philp building, built in 1888.

Currawinya National Park

Hungerford, Bulloo Area
Free Entry
In Currawinya National Park, waterbirds and migratory shorebirds are drawn in their thousands to globally important wetlands in the otherwise dry and dusty mulga lands of south-western Queensland. Red sandplains and mulga scrubs beside long, dusty roads give little hint to the lakes, rivers and wetlands that make Currawinya one of Australia’s most important inland waterbird habitats.

Morven Historical Museum

Morven, Murweh Area
From AU$2 - 2
Step back in time where everyday early outback life is on display. The small but delightful Morven Historical Museum contains some fascinating memorabilia. A must see is the miniature replica pioneer township.

Ilfracombe Machinery and Heritage Museum

Ilfracombe, Longreach Area
Free Entry
Otherwise known as The Great Machinery Mile, it hosts a range of equipment from standing engines to earthmoving machinery. A wonderful display of machinery, some of it very rare and almost all collected within 100 miles of the town, can be seen.
No Results Message
Displaying 1-10 of 105
Sort by:
Show:

Watch our videos

See more videos

View the 360° Panoramas