The Ultimate Guide to The Best Outback Queensland Holidays
Outback Queensland is huge and open and as a result, has been making it easy to have a socially distant family-friendly holiday since, well …. forever. Given its sheer size, Outback Queensland is ”subdivided” into five distinct regions. These are the East, South West, Central West, Far West, and North West.
The Five Sub-Regions
The South West section of Outback Queensland is the closest to Brisbane and it’s here you can find boulder opals, meet Australia’s largest dinosaur, bathe in mineral-rich mud, meet tiny endangered marsupials, and much more.
The Eastern Region features amazing National Parks such as Cania Gorge and Kroombit Tops. It also provides opportunities for fishing and water sports with both The Dawson River and Callide Dam. Families who love a 4WD adventure will have no trouble finding some fun out here.
The Central West features fun festivals, fossicking for boulder opals, and small towns that pack a lot of features. Here you will find The Waltzing Matilda Centre, Australian Age of Dinosaurs and the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways in Winton, and the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach. (You might like our article on The Best Things to do in Winton).
The Far West is for families on a memorable adventure. Experience the rugged Simpson Desert by 4WD, watch well-known Aussie bands at the Big Red Bash, and bet on the Birdsville Races. Don’t miss the glow of ”Big Red”, an iconic desert sand dune as the sun sets on the horizon.
The North West includes Mount Isa and the largest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere, an underground hospital built during WWII, red gorges, ancient fossils and ”Hughie”, the seven-metre Muttaburrasaurus.
Browse through our blog posts on Outback Queensland below for more information on specific destinations and activities. For details on how to visit and where to stay, make sure to scroll down a little further.
Outback QLD Destinations and Activities
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How to Visit Outback Queensland
Outback Queensland can be easily reached by road, airplane, rail, and bus. Many families explore the various regions on a road trip.
Flying
When it comes to flights, Qantas, Virgin, and Rex Outlines service Outback Queensland.
Rail
Outback Queensland Rail Journeys are seriously underrated! Ride the Spirit of The Outback from Brisbane to Longreach or The Westlander from Brisbane to Charleville. Other trips include The Inlander from Townsville to Mount Isa, The Gulflander from Normanton to Croydon, and The Savannahlander from Cairns to Forsayth.
Road Trip
Distances may be long, but there are plenty of features to stop off and break up the drive. Road trips are entrenched in the Australian psyche and are a popular choice for families on an outback holiday. Outback Queensland Tourism has put together a great guide to driving Outback QLD.
Where to Stay
Depending on the route you choose to follow, Outback Queensland offers a range of accommodation. Expect to find hotels, bed & breakfasts, caravan parks, farm stays, holiday parks, cottages, glamping, retreats, and lodges.
Pssst. If your hoping to meet a dinosaur in Outback Queensland, read our pots on the Dinosaur Trail.
