The Queensland Outback has a unique Australian charm. Towering cliffs and narrow gorges may be found, along with opportunities to fossick for precious gems, search for dinosaur bones, and view some of the nation’s most captivating examples of Indigenous art. The small outback communities are rich in history, and welcoming neighbourhood pubs will entice you to stay for more than one round. There is a friendliness that you don’t often find in more populous places, and its red dusty roads appear to continue on forever.

There are several ways to approach the Queensland Outback, via The Matilda Way, The Overlanders Way, or The Savannah Way. This is also dependant on which city you are starting from, generally being from either Cairns or Brisbane. Because of the vast distances, a common and convenient option, is often to hire a campervan. This allows you to travel at leisure, stopping at a moment’s notice, and staying on as long as you wish in favourite places.

The Savannah Way

From the Great Barrier Reef to red-dirt country, take the Savannah Way for an outback experience full of historical wonders and a distinct tropical flavour. Starting in Cairns, you’ll travel well into the Gulf Savannah in north-west Queensland, where the Sunshine State meets the Northern Territory.

Before reaching the fishing haven of Karumba, take your time travelling through Queensland to explore the world’s longest lava tube system in Undara, which was formed over 190,000 years ago.

Hunt for dinosaur bones at Riversleigh, which Sir David Attenborough recognised as one of the world’s most important fossil deposits, and are a world heritage site. Canoe through the stunning emerald waters of Cobbold Gorge, and learn about the Gold Rush in Normanton.

If you absolutely wanted to finish the Savannah Way, it actually stretches for nearly 3,700 kilometres, all the way to Broome in Western Australia! But otherwise, you can cut it short by heading one way to Darwin, or join up to the Matilda Way and continue your Outback Queensland extravaganza.

The Matilda Way

This epic inland journey includes stops in some of Outback Queensland’s most famous towns, including Charleville, Longreach, and Winton.

The Matilda Way runs through the state’s centre, and if you take your time, you may explore the real Australian outback. If you plan your journey in winter, you can start your road trip at the Cunnamulla Fella Festival, held around the end of June each year, before travelling on to Charleville.

In Charleville, you can see endangered nocturnal marsupials at the Bilby Experience, and take an astronomy lesson at the Cosmos Centre.

As you continue onwards to Longreach, travel through villages in the outback that are full of character. Spending a few days along the way is worthwhile, to witness a sunset over the Thomson River, visit the Qantas Founders Museum, and stop in at the infamous Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

Next, travel on to Winton, the dinosaur capital of Australia. Although they are no longer on the planet, you can still examine the greatest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils and excavate for bones at the Age of Dinosaurs.

The Overlanders Way

On this expedition through northern Outback Queensland, you’ll alternate between views of Magnetic Island and Mount Isa.

After exploring the sights and attractions in and around Townsville, head west in search of dinosaurs, cowboy culture, rich pioneer history, and, of course, stunning outback scenery.

Before hitting the red dirt at Hughenden, your first taste of the Australian Dinosaur Trail, Charters Towers offers history, heritage and impressive architecture.

Hughenden is home to the mini Grand-Canyon, the remnants of a prehistoric inland sea. Take a diversion to walk Porcupine Gorge and its impressive rock formations, then proceed to Julia Creek, where the annual Dirt n Dust Festival takes place each April. The outdoor Artesian Baths in Julia Creek are renowned for their relaxation.

The Overlanders Way concludes in Mount Isa, famous for its underground mines and rich indigenous Australian heritage.

Other Outstanding Outback Trips

Winton to Tambo

This trip is a great trip for a first-time experience in the outback.

On this journey from Winton to Tambo, you’ll get to visit some of the most well-known locations in the outback, chat with locals at pubs along the way, and experience driving in the outback without actually roughing it.

Speaking of pubs, Winton’s North Gregory Hotel is a must-visit; it’s the location of the first public performance of Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Patterson. Before travelling to Longreach, stop at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. There, you’ll spend a couple of days taking in the history and culture, from QANTAS airline history, to the tale of our stockman, to sunset cruises on the Thomson River.

Rockhampton to Barcaldine

The Capricorn Way is for you if you’re short on time but big on rocky experiences and red soil.

Starting in Rockhampton, travel or trek to Mount Archer’s summit for expansive vistas before going below to Capricorn Caves to explore historic limestone formations. Travel through the Central Highlands to Emerald, the entrance to the Sapphire Gemfields. If you decide against gem-hunting, you may still visit Emerald to see the oddly positioned 25-meter-tall reproduction of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Before continuing on to Barcaldine, stop in Alpha to explore the “Town of Murals” and have a meal at The Alpha Hotel. The unsuccessful Queensland shearers’ strike that occurred here in 1891 was the catalyst for the creation of the Australian Labor Party.

Cunnamulla to Quilpie via Charleville

The drive from Cunnamulla to Quilpie, in the state’s south-west, can give you a taste of the outback in just three days.

Start off in Cunnamulla (which is approximately 800 km drive from Brisbane), where you may meet the Cunnamulla Fella, relax under the shade of a Coolabah tree by the Warrego River, and chow down on treats from the local bakery. In this area, you can also do river kayaking, fishing, or sandboarding; the locals can advise you. Next, travel to Charleville in the north to see the Royal Flying Doctors Service and encounter some endangered Australian wildlife at the Bilby Experience (open April to October).

The biggest draw, though, is the expansive sky, so visit the Charleville Cosmos Centre to see a live rendition of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

To round off the adventure, get on the road and go west to Quilpie for a day of opal hunting and sightseeing.