Queensland Outback – A bucket list visit for well over 25 years. I have loved this region from afar for so long and in 2023, made the decision to commence planning. I had all the ‘must do” visit places listed. Unfortunately, reality hit when I realised, I only had 2 weeks leave and had to dramatically reduce my itinerary. Narrowing down the itinerary to include the “must do’s” was hard.
The Queensland Outback can be accessed by rail, air and road. I have opted for self-driving.
I am splitting the Queensland Outback trip into separate blogs as there is just way too much great content. Here is what we saw and experienced on our 1st section of the journey. There were so many “pinch me” moments experienced on this product update.
MAY/JUNE 2024
PART 1 – GOLD COAST TO WINTON
Day 1 – Gold Coast to Dalby
Conveniently located on the main road into town there are several food and beverage venues including takeaway, fast food options to choose from and servo’s nearby.
Drive time approx. 2.5 hours.
Overnight – Drovers Motor Inn
Day 2 – Dalby to Longreach
Very early morning checkout and off along the Warrego Highway we go. Covering a lot of miles today. Lucky for us, no animals on the road whilst we undertake our journey. Dawn and dusk can be the most crucial time for Australian animals to be on the move so please take great caution when driving during these times to help keep wildlife and humans safe. We stop briefly in Chinchilla, to capture a snap of the very cute giant Watermelon, highlighting the Melon Festival.
Drive time approx. just under 1 hour.
Fuel for the belly with a coffee and bite to eat at Mace’s Hot Bread in Miles. Yes, I can confirm although a morning breakfast stop, a Pie and Sausage Roll were consumed including fresh pastries and purchasing treats to enjoy along the drive (just my way of helping the local visitor economy). The bathrooms in Anzac Park very clean.
Drive time approx. 35 minutes.
We drive through Roma for a quick refuel at Augathella and sticky beak at the large Ant sculpture and Water Tower art.
Drive time approx. 4.5 hrs.
Another quick stop at Blackall to stretch the legs before heading to our destination for the night – Longreach.
Drive time approx. 4.0 hours.
It’s been a big day of driving but has certainly been made easier when sharing the load of driving responsibilities and taking small breaks/stops as needed to recharge and stretch the legs. Ideally, it would have been better to split the stay overnight in Blackall, however we decided (on the way up), to maximise our time in Winton for a 2night stay. Although, now that we have a better understanding of terrain, roads and locations; if you have the time, I would certainly suggest another overnight stay as an option instead. Hindsight! Am I right?
Our accommodation for the night is Saltbush Retreat, and we are staying in the renovated Horse Stables – such a beautifully decorated room. The outdoor bath terrace is amazing!
We head to the local store to grab a few breakfast items for the morning before making our way to The Italian to order our amazing takeaway pizza for dinner. Whilst this is being prepared, we enjoy a brief wander around town.
Overnight – Saltbush Retreat
Day 3 – Longreach to Winton
We can enjoy a sleep in today, although I get up early after sunrise to take a few photos. It’s wonderfully quiet. I have always loved that feeling of the world just waking up. After making our breakfast, we check out. I could happily stay at Saltbush Retreat for another few nights and really explore Longreach more. Perhaps the next trip!
We stop into the Qantas Founders Museum – an award winning Museum and Cultural display showcasing the founding of Qantas. If you love the history of aircraft in Australia, there is something for everyone here. Absolutely loved the Art Gallery – saw the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, “The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens” on loan from NGA. Just such an incredible artist! The Café and Gift Store are fab but of course, the highlight was the 747 Wing Walk Tour – a one hour tour that saw us access to parts of the aircraft not included in the Airpark Tour (this was also very impressive). Got to explore the 747-flight deck, sit in the pilot’s seat, heard some great stories and then walk out on the wing of the 747 – bucket list stuff indeed!
Refuel in Longreach and we head off to Winton.
Drive time approx. 2 hrs
On arrival in Winton, we meet a wonderful staff member, William, and park our vehicle securely. We are then transferred to the Rangelands property in their private vehicle. Access in your own vehicle is not permitted to this exclusive off grid camp site, but it was wonderful to have a local meet us, drive us around and get a quick tour of Winton as well before heading to Rangelands Camp. The property provides transfers from Longreach, Coach Rail Link in Winton or Winton Airport. The vehicle was comfortable and in no time at all we arrive at Rangelands Outback Camp.
Drive time approx. 30 min
Celine and Peter, the onsite Managers, make us feel so welcome. As we sit and sip Champagne, they provide an overview of the property then give us some time to just ruminate and absorb the breath-taking escarpment view at the top of the jump up.
Accommodation consists of 6 luxe Glamping tents, catering to only 12 Adults max. We enjoy sunset drinks and canapes on the Sunset Deck before dinner.
Peter is an amazing Chef and the wine recommended by Celine compliments all courses perfectly. We end the evening sitting by the campfire and enjoying the quietness of the location and looking into the endless night sky and shooting stars.
Our room is warm, comfortable and beautifully appointed. The shower & bathroom offers amazing views, but it was a little brisk stepping out of your warm tent into the cool morning or night air for a potty stop. Loved the opportunity to sit on your own balcony as well and marvel at the views. Could have sat all day reading in that spot.
All Pre-Dinner canapes, Dinner, Breakfasts and beverages are included.
Overnight – Rangelands Outback Camp
Day 4 – Experience Scenic Heli tour Rangelands to Lark Quarry – Australian Age of Dinosaurs.
After a sumptuous breakfast and some time to ourselves, we then meet Peter for a drive around the property before heading to the pickup site of today’s tour. Another dream come true – a full day of dinosaurs! We started the day stepping back in time at Lark Quarry, where you can actually see the preserved footprints of a massive dinosaur stampede. We are wrapping up the afternoon at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, which houses the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the world.
Both were incredibly fascinating! We would not have been able to achieve this had we not booked the amazing services of our Pilot, Kate, from Elite Aviation Services, who flew us in a very cute Robinson R44 for the day. Lunch at Australian Age of Dinosaurs was average-fair (dry sandwich and awful coffee) but we were not there for the food and luckily had had a huge breakfast. I highly recommend the tour and café at Dinosaur Stampede tour (Dinosaur Stampede National Monument, Winton). The Dinosaur Stampede tour is located at Lark Quarry Conservation Park. Formed over 95 million years ago, you can witness over 3000 footprints of small extinct dinosaurs scattered all over the rockface as they fled from a larger dinosaur.
Returning to Rangelands Outback Camp, we enjoyed dinner with new guests before retiring to our luxe accommodation for a quiet night in.
Overnight – Rangelands Outback Camp
Day 5
After our gourmet breakfast and a wonderful 2 days at Rangelands, we bid a fond farewell to Celine & Peter – amazing humans if you ever get the chance to meet them. William takes us back to town to collect our car and we head to the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton.
Drive time approx. 30 min
I was admittedly not sure what to expect here having only known the song / poem, but what a wonderful piece of Australian history! Loved the interactive displays, reading the story behind AB Paterson’s iconic ballad and browsing through outdoor exhibits as well. A stop for visitors young or the young-at-heart. The staff on site were welcoming and friendly. The Queensland Outback folk really know how to welcome visitors and guests, that’s for sure. Coffee at The Tuckerbox Café was fab and of course I always love a Visitor Information Centre that is well stocked with local product to purchase (one of the best things of a driving holiday haha filling your car boot full of purchases).
A stop in Longreach at the Merino Bakery, refuel then its onto Barcaldine for viewing the Tree of Knowledge – famous for being the birthplace of the Australian Labor movement. Fascinating!
Drive time approx. 2hr 51 min
Stopping overnight at Oasis Motor Inn, Blackall, beaut place welcoming staff, very clean & lovely room.
Drive time approx. 2hr 17 min
Overnight – Oasis Motor Inn Blackall
Day 6
Fuelled up and ready for the next leg! Before hitting the road from Blackall, we made a quick detour to snap a photo at the iconic Black Stump. Now, we’re off to the gorgeous little town of Tambo for some lunch, a mandatory stop to see the Tambo Teddies, and a top-tier coffee from Mary and Martha’s. Outback road trips don’t get much better than this!
My favourite online store Red Ridge The Label (based in Blackall), is unfortunately not yet opened this morning, but this is a great indigenous fashion product if you are fan of supporting Qld business’.
Drive time approx. 1hr 15 min
Departing Tambo and a quick fuel top up, we continue to Charleville and arrive at our home for the night – The Rocks Motel, Charleville.
Drive time approx. 2hr 15 min
Efficient check in, great property and friendly staff.
Tonight we head out to meet the team from Travel West and our other fellow travellers who will be our companions for the next 7 days. The wonderful Travel West team hosts us all to a Camp Oven Kitchen dinner. It’s great sitting around the fire and getting to know our fellow Tag-Along touring drivers and their partners.
Overnight – Rocks Motel Charleville
For further information:
https://visitblackalltambo.com.au/news/where-to-find-great-coffee/
