Queensland Outback Holidays

Queensland Outback  Holidays - At A Glance

A holiday in the Queensland outback will almost certainly include old bush pubs, country hospitality and a "don't rush" lifestyle. This is the Australia of vivid sunsets and sunrises,  Aboriginal rock art, dinosaur fossils in one place, opals and sapphires in another.

The major roads throughout the outback are bitumen sealed and safe for all classes of vehicles. However once you leave the major highways, roads are unsealed and 4WD vehicles are the order of the day.

If you are planning a self drive holiday through the Queensland outback, no matter what type of vehicle you are driving, it's essential to carry a full range of emergency equipment and spares in good working order. Seek advice on road conditions from the nearest RACQ office.

Queensland Outback  Holidays - The Places

South West Outback includes the towns of St George, Roma, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Quilpie and Thargomindah. This is a region of sheep, cattle and dryland farming with some irrigation areas. Visit the wildflower fields at Cunnamulla and Eulo, try your hand at opal mining at Quilpie and Yowah and visit the Skywatch observatory at Charleville.

Central West Outback takes in the towns of Injune, Emerald, Barcaldine, Blackall, Longreach, Winton, Boulia and Birdsville. This is sheep country made famous by the ballad of Waltzing Matilda and the "gun"shearer Jackie Howe who, in 1892, sheared 321 sheep in 8 hours using hand clipper shears.

Try an outback station holiday, visit the aboriginal rock art at Carisbrook Station, take in an open air movie in Winton. The Stockman's Hall of Fame is a must see, along with and the origins of Qantas in Longreach.

Visit the opal and sapphire fields around Emerald and marvel at the dinosaur footprints at Lark Quarry. The famous Birdsville Pub is always worth a visit, especially on the annual race day. Pay a visit to the Carnarvon National Park.

North West Outback encompasses Charters Towers, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mt Isa. This is generally cattle country with some dryland farming. Plan your visit to include the colonial architecture of the Charters Towers gold rush days, the dinosaur display centre in Hughenden and the origins of the Royal Flying Doctor in Cloncurry. Mt Isa is famous for its mine and Australia's biggest rodeo. Any visit to this region should include the beautiful Lawn Hill Gorge National Park .