SELF-DRIVE OUTBACK LOOP
Suggested 7 Day Itinerary
Brisbane to Longreach via Roma, Charleville & Quilpie
DAY 1: BRISBANE TO ROMA (APPROX 504KM / 5 HR 20 MIN)
Travel south-west from Brisbane along the Warrego Highway to Queensland’s Garden City, Toowoomba. Stop for morning tea at Picnic Point, best known for its expansive views across the Great Dividing Range. Continue along the Adventure Way to Chinchilla, home of the Chinchilla Melon Festival and Miles, a vibrant rural township. Arrive in Roma the heart of beef country late afternoon and check in to your accommodation. Time to relax or you may like to experience the Big Rig Night Show. Alternatively consider visiting the recently opened Western Queensland’s first small batch distillery. NOTE: If you have time, extend your stay and join a full day tour Carnarvon Ranges and Wallaroo Station with Boobook Explore. Also, if you time your visit to be in Roma on a Tuesday, don’t miss seeing the live auctions and joining one of the free tours at Roma Saleyards – the largest in Australia.
Stay overnight at the Roma Explorers Inn
DAY 2: ROMA TO CHARLEVILLE (APPROX 267KM / 2 HR 52 MIN)
Travel further west towards Charleville for a mid-morning visit to the Outback Date Farm boasting 450 palms growing delicious eating dates. On a short tour of the property, you’ll learn the history of dates, how they are grown and the incredible health benefits of this superfood. Head into downtown Charleville for lunch at the famous Hotel Corones – built in stages, the hotel was completed in 1929 during Charleville’s wool industry boom. Discover why over 3500 United States Army Airforce personnel were stationed in Charleville during WWII on the WWII Secrets Tag-a-long tour. Visit the Bilby Experience and hear first-hand what the Save the Bilby Fund is doing to protect this environmental engineering marvel. Tour the nocturnal house where you will meet these beautiful bilbies. Early evening, visit the Cosmos Centre for the Big Sky Observatory Tour. See an amazing night sky brought into focus with the help of powerful Meade telescopes and listen to captivating stories from their experienced sky guide.
Stay overnight at the Mulga Country Motor Inn, Charleville.
DAY 3: CHARLEVILLE TO QUILPIE (APPROX 211KM / 2HR 50 MIN)
Today you’ll pass through one of the smallest towns in Australia to retain its own postcode – Cooladdi. On arrival in the opal town of Quilpie make your first stop the Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery where you’ll gain some great local insights. The centre also hosts the Quilpeta Night Show which screens twice weekly. Enjoy lunch served up with a slice of history at the fully restored Quilpie Brick Hotel. While in town take a peek at the incredible opal altar in St Finbarr’s Church and explore nearby Baldy Top Lookout. Early afternoon drive the 45 mins to Toogunna Plains Farmstay, a 5th generation 130,000 acre sheep and cattle property, located in the heart of the Channel Country. Stay two nights in beautifully presented, ensuite cabins. Late afternoon celebrate the glorious colours of the Channel Country with sunset drinks and canapes overlooking rolling, red, Kyra Sandhills.
Stay 2 Nights at Toogunna Plains Farmstay, Quilpie Shire
DAY 4: TOOGUNNA FARMSTAY & EROMANGA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Enjoy an included breakfast in the bush kitchen, then join your grazier host on a morning station tour for an insightful look into the unique challenges and joys of living on the land. After lunch, spend time relaxing into your unique outback environment or exploring a short self-guided walk. Early afternoon, drive the short distance (approx. 25 mins) to the Eromanga Natural History Museum, to meet Australia’s largest dinosaur from some 95-million years ago. On an enthralling one-hour tour, watch expert guides demonstrate fossil preparation, see the incredible megafauna fossils, and witness these ancient giants come to life in a state-of-the-art multi-media presentation. Return to Toogunna Plains Farmstay to enjoy a self-cook BBQ and campfire stargazing.
DAY 5: QUILPIE TO LONGREACH & MITCHELL GRASS RETREAT
After a breakfast, travel north to Windorah via Kybra Waterhole, a great spot for a picnic morning tea and to spot local birdlife. Plan to arrive in Windorah for lunch at the Western Star Hotel before continuing on to Jundah. See the unique Native Well (just outside of Jundah) used for centuries as a valuable water source by Aboriginal people. Jundah is the closest town to Welford National Park and is an ideal base if you would prefer day visits. Then capture 360 degree Channel Country views from the picturesque Swanvale Lookout which straddles the Johnston Range midway between Jundah and Stonehenge. About two kilometres from the Stonehenge turnoff en route to Longreach, you can sign the visitor’s book – Stonehenge style. This involves writing your town name with stones – a quirky tradition started years ago by the then mailman. Continue your drive to Longreach arriving at Mitchell Grass Retreat late afternoon. Tonight relax in your luxury glamping tent with a self-cook BBQ pack, then gather around the fire pit for marshmallow toasting and stargazing.
Stay 2 nights at Mitchell Grass Retreat
DAY 6: LONGREACH
Start your day with a relaxed breakfast on your private deck overlooking the Mitchell Grass Plains. Take a short drive to explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame then take your seat at the exciting Stockman’s Life Live Show to see amazing horsemanship and the action of a live muster. Head into downtown Longreach for a spot of outback retail therapy and lunch before returning to Mitchell Grass Retreat for some well-earned downtime. Late afternoon, unwind on the Drover’s Sunset Cruise with tasty onboard nibbles followed by a two-course table service dinner under the stars at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show. (NOTE: The cruise includes return transfers from Mitchell Grass Retreat).
DAY 7: LONGREACH
Enjoy another relaxed breakfast at Mitchell Grass Retreat before check-out. Be sure to allow time to visit the world-class Qantas Founders Museum today for a fabulous insight into the founding of Qantas. View marvellous interpretive and interactive exhibits in the gallery, then join a guided Airpark Tour. If you extend your stay in Longreach, you could add in the Luminescent Longreach Sound & Light Show tonight too.
