 Visit the Outback Region of Qld
Each Outback town has its own story to tell, each built around its own piece of Australian history. In our comprehensive listing of Outback towns you will find information on the history, places to stay, facilities in each town such as fuel and shopping, attractions, nearby national parks and tour companies.
This information will help you plan your holiday so you don't miss a thing.
South West and Channel Country From amazing spring wildflowers to the Channel Country, this is an area of diverse landscapes. Birdsville, the starting point of the famous Birdsville Track, which stretches to the south with the Simpson Desert to the west.
Fossick for opals at Yowah, Cunnamulla and Quilpie, explore the universe's wonders at Charleville's Skywatch, seek out birdlife in saltwater and freshwater habitats and relax at the Great Artisan Spa in Mitchell.
Central West and Matilda Country Australia's most famous song, Waltzing Matilda, was written and first performed in this part of the Outback.
Australia's international airline, Qantas, was founded here. The shearer's strike in Barcaldine in 1891 led to the formation of the Australian Labor Party. All this incredible history has been recorded in towns such as Longreach, Winton, Blackall and Barcaldine.
North West and Dinosaur Fossil Country One of the oldest areas on earth, the North West has an impressive record of the dinosaur era.
Check out the Interpretive Centres in Mount Isa, Richmond and Hughenden. Take a tour of an underground mine in the eye-opening mining city of Mount Isa. Nearby Cloncurry commemorates the ground-breaking work undertaken by Dr John Flynn and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Boulia Area
A land of contrasts and vibrant colour, Boulia Shire encompasses over 61,000 square kilometres of some of Australia’s most stunning scenery and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Fishing, sightseeing and birdwatching can all be enjoyed within the Shire.
Follow in the footsteps of Burke and Wills in the comfort of your vehicle along fully sealed roads and serviced roads through some of the most stunning outback vistas in Australia.
For almost a hundred years travellers have been mystified by the sudden appearance of the Min Min Light. Most often described as a hovering luminescent ball, the light has teased travellers, never approaching close enough to be clearly examined. Scientists are baffled to explain this phenomenon.
Millions of years ago, when inland Queensland was tropical, herds of dinosaurs roamed the region. Boulia’s Fossil Museum exhibits a fascinating look at the prehistoric.
Flinders Area
Flinders Shire has many attractions to offer with four National Parks, Gemfields, mountainous volcanic basalt country and sweeping black soil plains and rich fossil and dinosaur areas. One of the most famous of these attractions is Porcupine Gorge National Park. Porcupine Gorge offers camping, birdwatching, swimming, splendid photographic opportunities and a diverse range of flora and fauna living amongst the brilliantly coloured volcanic basalt countryside and sandstone rocks. Campers should take their own water. Kooroorinya Falls Nature Reserve is also a beautiful natural spot for fishing, camping, bushwalking and swimming.
Hughenden is the major centre of the Flinders Shire, the other centres being Prairie, Torrens Creek and Stamford. Hughenden is situated on the banks of Queensland’s longest river, the Flinders. The annual rainfall predominantly falls between December and March, although some variation has been experienced over the last couple of years with rains falling as early as October. The town is located above the Great Artesian Basin and relies on sub-artesian bores for its water supply.
The Flinders Shire is predominantly a grazing area. The basalt red and black volcanic soil country north of the Flinders River consists of cattle properties, with the black soil downs country of Hughenden proving suitable grazing land for sheep.
Mount Isa Area
Mount Isa brings out the adventurous spirit in everyone, with ample places to explore, camp, four wheel drive, relax and enjoy an outback sunset or fish in one of our beautiful lakes. Other natural wonders nestled in the surrounding areas include spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge National Park and the neighbouring world-heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields.
The city itself is described as the Oasis of the Outback, a gleaming mirage on the horizon for travellers from all directions. It stands among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on the banks of the Leichhardt River. It borders the Gulf Country and Savannah to the north, the Simpson Desert to the west, the cattle-rich Channel Country to the south and rich pastoral grasslands to the east.
Mount Isa city has grown from strength to strength over the years but the harsh picturesque landscape has barely changed. This untouched feeling is one of the main draw-cards for visitors each year. The rugged terrain is a four-wheel drivers haven, and visitors can experience first hand its true beauty, just as the pioneers of the region did many years ago.
A must see while in Mount Isa is the new award winning Riversleigh Fossil Museum and Tourist Information Centre. This centre brings to life the world heritage fossil deposits at the Riversleigh Fossil Sites north of the city. Other attractions are the Frank Aston Underground Museum, John Middlin Mining Display, the School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctors base and the surface mine tours. In addition, other options include a station stay at West Leichhardt or a trip to Camooweal to see the many natural attractions such as the beautiful Georgina River and Camooweal Caves National Park.
Mount Isa supports its community by offering a wide selection of shopping facilities and clubs, which provide a happy and social lifestyle.
Paroo Area
The Matilda Highway begins in the Paroo Shire in South West Queensland. The Matilda Highway runs north/south through the Shire and the Adventure Way runs east/west.
There are four towns in the Paroo Shire, namely Cunnamulla, Eulo, Wyandra and Yowah. The Shire offers fishing, birdwatching, history of early pioneers, unusual natural attractions and opal mining. You can be a part of the outback lifestyle by participating in local events such as school fetes, polocrosse carnivals, sheep shows, field days and lizard races.
In Cunnamulla there are several tours available. A local operator offers tours of the town, a day trip to the opal fields and three to four day tours of the south west area. There is also a cemetery tour available.
The Warrego River runs through Wyandra and Cunnamulla and there are several good fishing holes and areas for birdwatching.
Eulo is the home of the only date winery in Australia. Local honey and by-products of the bees and of the dates are also sold in Eulo. Just west of Eulo are several artesian mud springs. The Nine Mile Bore at Eulo is a popular spot for birdwatching.
Yowah offers opal mining, tours of an underground mind and of an open cut mine, and stunning views from the ‘Bluff’.
Take a walk around the Heritage Trail in Wyandra and learn the history of this old railway town. The museum is located in the Power House.
Paroo Shire offers a choice of accommodation from old Queensland pubs, hotels/motels, caravan parks and farmstays. Access to all towns and attractions is possible by conventional vehicles as all major roads are sealed.
For more information regarding Queensland National Parks and reserves go to Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service.
If travelling to Queensland have a look at Queensland Holidays.
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