Eager to be on the road again we farewell the Sunshine Coast travelling south to Brisbane then heading north-west along the Warrego Highway. We travel to Queensland’s Garden City Toowoomba, nestled on top of The Great Dividing Range for lunch. Continuing along the Adventure Way to we pass through Dalby & Chinchilla, before arriving in Miles for our overnight stay, with time to check-in and refresh before dinner.             

Overnight  –  Miles (Swagsman Motor Inn)

On arrival in Roma we are met by a local guide from Boobook Ecotours this morning who will first take us to the Roma Saleyards to see first hand the largest cattle selling centre in the Southern hemisphere on sale day.  Feel the energy and excitement of a real cattle auction at Australia’s biggest cattle selling facility. This is where it all happens.  On any given day up to 6,000 head of cattle are brought for sale.  We have an insider’s view of the saleyards and entry to the new multi-media Interpretive Centre. We will then share a few hours with our guide from Boobook Ecotours for an insight into the colourful history and characters of Roma.  Hear how the town began and the industries it supports; discover Heroes Avenue, the Biggest Bottle Tree. After lunch (own expense) and free time to explore the CBD of Roma we will check in to our accommodation, before travelling to experience authentic country hospitality at Mount Hope, a 34,000 acre working cattle station.  A family host will board our coach at the station entrance for a guided tour of this Droughtmaster cattle property.  Enjoy sunset nibbles and drinks followed by a delicious two-course camp oven dinner under the stars.

Overnight – Roma. (Roma Explorers Inn)

After a scrumptious breakfast we travel further west towards Charleville arriving mid-morning. We head into downtown Charleville and arrive at the famous Hotel Corones – built in stages, the hotel was completed in 1929 during Charleville’s wool industry boom.  We join a guided one-hour tour with exclusive access to normally restricted areas of the hotel and hear the rags to riches story of local character Harry Corones.  We have time for lunch (own expense) before an experienced guide will board our coach for a tour of the USAAF Top Secret sites.  We will find out why Charleville was selected for this top secret site in WWII, visiting intriguing historical sites and learn about the highly classified computerised bomb aimer. After checking in to our Motel we visit the local RSL club for an early dinner. Then, onto the Cosmos Centre for the Big Sky Twilight 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.  

Overnight – Charleville   (Warrego Motel )

Our first stop this morning is at The Charleville Bilby Experience, a centre dedicated to bilbies, one of nature’s eco-engineers. During the interactive shows see bilbies in their nocturnal house and learn their important role in balancing our ecosystem. Hear what Save the Bilby Fund is doing to save this environmental marvel from extinction. Bilbies are a ‘keystone’ species. This means that their protection is even more important because their survival increases the chances of 19 other threatened species who share the same habitats.

Tour the nocturnal house where you will meet these beautiful bilbies.

Departing Charleville, we head west and on arrival in Quilpie we make our first stop at the Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery where their local guide will board our coach for a town tour. Discover the history and unique landscapes of Quilpie town, Baldy Top Lookout, St Finbarrs’ Opal Altar and Quilpie Airport mini museum. Our tour includes lunch at the Quilpie Heritage Inn (aka The Brick) which has been carefully restored to its original splendour. This afternoon we join celebrated artist Lyn Barnes at her boutique art gallery & view her latest work and discover her unique creative connection to the Outback.  

We arrive at Toogunna Plains for our 3-night stay commencing with a Sunset Tour to the Kyra Sandhills (with wine & nibbles) before returning to our accommodation for dinner under the stars.

Overnight – Toogunna Plains

This morning, we will take a 3 Hour Station Tour. Toogunna Plains is an exciting new farm stay located in the channel country midway between the towns of Eromanga and Quilpie. This 4th generation family-owned sheep and cattle property offers beautifully presented ensuited rooms suitable for groups or individual visitors. They offer a range of gourmet foodie experiences and bespoke station tours. You are guaranteed a unique experience at Toogunna Plains Farm Stay nestled on a vast open plain with panoramic views. Returning to the homestead for a country lunch in this delightful garden setting.

Overnight – Toogunna Plains

Today we continue our journey as we  travel to Eromanga and visit the Natural History Museum where their experienced guide will take us on a  tour of the workshop laboratory and collection centre.  You’ll meet Titanosaur Sauropods Cooper and George, the largest dinosaurs to have ever been found in Australia.  The guides will demonstrate how to prepare fossilised bone, and you’ll see the incredible Eulo megafauna fossils. Tonight, enjoy a themed dinner at the Eromanga Natural History Museum.

Overnight – Toogunna Plains

Driving along the Cooper Developmental Road as it skirts the edge of Queensland’s Southern Outback, we then take the turnoff for the historic Noccundra Hotel for morning tea. Look closely at the sandstone walls of this 1882 construction. The sandstone was quarried in New South Wales and transported by Camel Train to its present location. You have to ponder the logistics of this! Continuing on to Thargomindah (on the banks of the Bulloo River) we will arrive in time for lunch. It was the first town in Australia, and third in the world to produce hydro-electric power for street lighting. A ‘smart cookie’ came up with the idea to use the water pressure from the Artesian Basin. After an early check-in at our accommodation, we join a local guide for a tour and demonstration of the Artesian Hydro Power Plant – we then then step out on the viewing deck for a spectacular outback sunset (with nibbles & drinks). Arriving back at our motel we continue the outdoor experience with a Slow Cook and Damper Dinner under the stars. 

Overnight – Oasis Motel

This morning, our local guide will board our coach at the Thargomindah Visitor Information Centre for a town tour with great local stories and insights. Relive moments of yesteryear at the Old Jail and Old Thargomindah Hospital courtesy of life-size holographics and interactive experiences. We say goodbye to “Thargo” — heading east along the Adventure Way we arrive in Eulo, often described as the ‘Montville of the Outback.’ Relax with a hearty pub lunch in the famous Eulo Queen Hotel before sampling the town shop. Check out the opals and art at the Telegraph House Gallery, pick up handcrafted leather goods or purchase some locally made honey.  Take a selfie with Kenny the life-size Diprotodon (giant Megafauna) found in the Eulo Area.  Back on the road we travel on to Cunnamulla and the Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre. Join a self-guided tour of the Artesian Time Tunnel, meet ‘Doug the Rigger’, view engaging audio-visual displays and find out how the Great Artesian Basin was formed

Overnight Cunnamulla (Warrego Hotel-Motel)

This morning a fourth generation local from Out The Back Australia will board our coach for a guided tour of Cunnamulla.  See the huge natural sand dunes and learn how they came to be. Gain an insight into the region’s first inhabitants, early pioneers and quirky characters.  Continuing  east along the Balonne Highway we stop in Bollon  for our lunch break. Moving on we arrive at The Anchorage Historic Homestead. A  rare example of opulence and grandeur for a homestead of the early 1900s. Located north of St George, the homestead was built in 1903 for Andrew Nixon from local cypress milled at Nixon’s sawmill. The unique architecture features large lofty rooms and wide sweeping verandas perfectly suited to western Queensland living. We enjoy a delightful afternoon tea and tour here before arriving into St George for our overnight stay with time to refresh before Dinner 

Overnight – St George (Riverland Motor Inn)

This morning we’ll be joined by a local cotton farmer for a tour of a fully operational cotton farm to learn how cotton is grown, irrigated and harvested. We then meet David (the owner) at Riversands Wines for a tour of the vineyard followed by a personal wine tasting and lunch.

Mid-afternoon we relax aboard Sandytown River Cruise’s ‘Balonne Barroo Andoo’ and let guide Brett take us on an unforgettable cruise down St George’s mighty Balonne River. Part of the Murray-Darling Basin System, the river is home to Yellow Belly, Murray Cod and Blue Claw plus some 230 native bird species. As you glide down the middle of the river, spot local birdlife including pelicans, cockatoos and eagles. Learn about this important river system from your ecotourism accredited guide.

Overnight – St George (Riverland Motor Inn)

After breakfast we travel to Dirranbandi and are joined by a local guide and embark on an informative journey to Cubby Station .. the largest irrigation farm in the southern hemisphere. Cubbie Ag properties are located near Dirranbandi and St George in South West Queensland, the total holding is 93,000 hectares with 22,000 hectares of irrigated cropping fields which is supported by on-farm irrigation infrastructure.

Returning to Dirranbandi for lunch (own cost) we then visit Thallon for a look at the silo art before travelling on to Goondiwindi for our overnight stay

Overnight – Goondiwindi

After an amazing time in Southern Inland Queensland, we travel east along the Cunningham Highway (with lunch along the way) and then re-join the Warrego Highway back to Brisbane and onto the Sunshine Coast with everlasting memories of Outback communities, magical scenery, the local Characters we have met and the friends we have made on the way.