If you’ve been dreaming of a family road trip with red dirt horizons, character-filled country pubs, free riverside camping and small towns packed with stories, the Adventure Way Loop in Outback Queensland delivers. This four-day loop begins in St George and travels through Nindigully, Thallon, Dirranbandi and Bollon, following stretches of open road past vineyards, wheat fields and waterways – right on the doorstep of the Queensland/NSW border.
I travelled the Adventure Way Loop with two kids and a camper, and it surprised us every single day. Think giant burgers, silo art, bush tucker tasting, wandering geese, fishing rivers, vineyard lunches, and characters you can still remember fondly long after you’ve driven away.
And if you want to see exactly what it looks like on the ground, scroll to the bottom to watch our YouTube video.
The Adventure Way Loop at a glance
- Starts: St George, Queensland
- Stops: Nindigully – Thallon – Dirranbandi – Bollon
- Distance: approx. 250km
- Suggested duration: 4 days
- Best for: families, caravanners, camper trailers, self-drivers and lovers of small towns
Day 1 – St George to Nindigully (46km)
Your Adventure Way Loop begins in St George, a peaceful riverside town known as Queensland’s Inland Fishing Capital. If you’ve ever wondered what Outback Queensland looks like without the dust and heat haze, St George delivers lush riverbanks, friendly locals and a surprising list of things to do.
Things to do in St George
Start your morning with a stroll along the shady Balonne Riverbank Walkway, a flat two-kilometre stretch where more than 240 bird species call home. It’s calm, cool and incredibly pretty at sunrise.
Then, don’t leave town without visiting Riversands Wines, Queensland’s most western winery. Here you can taste award-winning wine under the garden shade, enjoy lunch on the lawn, learn about locally grown grapes, or (if you’re lucky like us) get a behind-the-scenes tour from the owners.
After stocking up on food in town for the road ahead, make the short 30-minute drive south to the tiny, iconic pub settlement of Nindigully.
Overnight: If you’ve arrived the day before, Pelican Rest Tourist Park is a top choice with green caravan sites and a mineral pool.
Nindigully Pub
Nindigully Pub isn’t just any pub. It’s Queensland’s oldest continually licensed watering hole, and it still looks every bit the part. Sitting right beside the Moonie River, this legendary outback spot is known for:
- It’s huge free riverside camping area
- Friendly locals
- Great pub meals
- The famous Road Train Burger (which feeds multiple people)
- Boomerang Cafe sign from one of Hugh Jackman’s first feature films, Paperback Hero, that was filmed here
There’s a Gully Walk along the river, shade to unwind in, and that classic Outback riverside vibe that makes a camp chair feel like a luxury throne.
Overnight: Free camp at Nindigully, or book one of the historic pub rooms.
Day 2 – Nindigully to Thallon (33km)
Ease into the morning, soak up the river views, and maybe throw in a fishing line – Golden Perch and Murray Cod are commonly reeled in here. Then, take the short drive through grain country to Thallon, a quiet town that has earned a roar of attention thanks to its colossal painted grain silos.
Thallon Silo Art
The 30-metre-high silos rise above the landscape, covered in a breathtaking mural called The Watering Hole, depicting sheep, the Moonie River, and Indigenous scar trees under a vast sunset sky. It’s a must-see even if you’re just passing through… but we recommend staying overnight.
Things to do in Thallon
- Wander the McGeever Recreational Grounds (where you’ll likely camp)
- Visit the Francis Hotel for a hearty meal and local chat
- Snap a selfie with William the Wombat, a two-metre sculpture celebrating the endangered hairy-nosed wombat
Our favourite memory? Hammocks strung between shady trees as the sun set behind the glowing silos. Very Outback Queensland… and very peaceful.
Overnight: McGeever Recreational Grounds (powered and unpowered available).
Day 3 – Thallon to Dirranbandi (65km)
Today the Adventure Way Loop leads deeper into the Outback and into the cotton country of Dirranbandi.
This is where the Southern Hemisphere’s largest cotton operation – Cubbie Station – can be found. Tours run in the peak season and are well worth planning around when available.
Dirranbandi must-dos
First stop: Dirranbandi Bakery.
Run by Russian-born baker Natalia, this is the kind of regional treasure that makes road trips unforgettable. The cabinets are full of homemade pies, pastries and sweet Russian treats… so come hungry.
Afterwards, explore the Railway Precinct where the town’s historic station buildings are still standing, including:
- The waiting room
- Station Master’s residence
- Original parcels office
It’s a lovely place to stretch legs, learn local history, and walk off pastry number two.
Overnight: Dirranbandi Retreat & Caravan Park.
Day 4 – Dirranbandi to Bollon (106km)
The last stretch of the Adventure Way Loop takes you to Bollon, a quiet town wrapped around Wallam Creek and known for its emus that sometimes stroll the streets.
Things to do in Bollon
Start with coffee at the local café, then wander the shady Bollon Cultural Walk along the creek. First Nations artwork lines the trail, and it’s a wonderful family walk… the ducks, geese and random roosters included.
Then head to the Nullawokka First Nations Gallery for art, gifts and culture, plus the chance to join a guided Indigenous tour. The two-hour Bollon Cultural Walk experience is incredibly memorable, especially for kids interested in Aboriginal history, bush tucker and Dreamtime stories.
Finish the day with sunset on the riverbank, camp chairs out, and stars so bright you’ll lose count.
Overnight: Wallam Creek free camp or Bollon Hotel.
Camping & accommodation on the Adventure Way Loop
Here’s where we’ve stayed and what we recommend:
- St George: Pelican Rest Tourist Park
- Nindigully: Free riverside camp by Nindigully Pub
- Thallon: McGeever Recreational Grounds
- Dirranbandi: Dirranbandi Retreat and Caravan Park
- Bollon: Wallam Creek free camp
RV travellers will also find dump points along the loop, including St George, Nindigully, Thallon, Dirranbandi and Bollon.
Watch our YouTube clip below for what to expect on the Adventure Way loop
The Adventure Way Loop is a beautiful mix of genuine Outback hospitality, culture, water-side camping, pub history and small-town stories. It’s simple, affordable, peaceful and full of experiences that stay with you long after the road dust settles.
Whether you’re travelling as a family, first-timers to the Outback, or seasoned caravan-adventurers looking for a new route, this loop deserves a spot on your travel map.
FAQs about the Adventure Way Loop
Winter and early spring offer cooler days and clear skies – ideal for camping and exploring towns on foot. Summer can be very hot (heatwaves hit the high 30s), so plan for shade, hydration and early walks if visiting then.
Absolutely. This region is perfect for caravanners, families in motorhomes, campertrailers and 4WDs. Families can enjoy the wide-open spaces, wildlife, silo art, pub meals and best of all, being unplugged and outdoors.
Four days is ideal, but five to six gives you extra time to relax at each stop.
No. The entire loop can be completed on sealed roads in a standard vehicle.
Yes, particularly at Nindigully, Thallon and Bollon.
Yes. Camping areas along the route are open and spacious with easy turning access.
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