The upmarket Queensland outback you’ve been waiting for
Planning a trip around the SUNSHINE State’s heartland? There’s no reason to forgo life’s LITTLE LUXURIES.
NOTHING SAYS ‘OUTBACK Queensland road trip’ quite like rustic, centuries-old pubs and quirky personalities. Of course, if you’d prefer your long stretches of open road bookended with stylish stays and activities, you won’t have to dig very deep.
ACCOMMODATION
Whether you’re dreaming about safari-style glamping or a luxurious station stay, outback Queensland has got every desire covered.
At Longreach, MITCHELL GRASS RETREAT
(mitchellgrassretreat.com.au) offers 15 luxury en suite tents alongside a saltwater pool amid the MITCHELL GRASS PLAINS. For those seeking something more traditional, (saltbushretreat.com.au) has SALTBUSH RETREAT a range of accommodation options designed to tell the full outback story. Book into its
STABLES, which provide access to HOMESTEAD the property’s spectacular bath terrace, the ultimate place for an outdoor soak. Meanwhile, WALLAROO OUTBACK RETREAT
(wallaroooutbackretreat.com.au) offers a remote glampsite experience within the gorges of the Carnarvon Ranges.
Quilpie, on the banks of Bulloo River, is home to (moblehomestead. MOBLE HOMESTEAD
com.au). Here, you can choose from a variety of accommodation options (everything from a rustic hut with luxurious finishes to shearer’s quarters) and activities such as tennis, cooking and scheduled walks.
EXPERIENCES & TOURS
Outback regions aren’t often known for their entertainment value, but in Queensland, there’s surprisingly plenty to do.
Start by celebrating the region’s sunsets with a scenic chopper flight from Winton with OUTBACK FROM ABOVE (eliteaviationservices. com.au); a cruise and dinner package along with THOMSON RIVER DROVER’S SUNSET (outbackaussietours.com.au); or by CRUISE EMU
booking a RANGELANDS RIFTS AND SUNSET (reddirttours.com.au). You can also dig TOUR for dinosaur bones at AUSTRALIAN AGE OF (australianageofdinosaurs.com). DINOSAURS
Keen to immerse yourself in the rich history of the region? QANTAS FOUNDERS (qom.com.au) awes with Luminescent MUSEUM Longreach, a 20-minute sound-and-light show, while a visit to the nearby AUSTRALIAN STOCKMAN’S HALL OF FAME (stockmanshalloffame.com.au) is not to be missed. Set to reopen in April, the museum has everything from live stockman shows to interactive exhibits. You can also put yourself in our pioneer past with a Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience with OUTBACK (outbackpioneers.com.au). PIONEERS
FOOD
It’s hard to go past a chicken parmigiana or a ‘road-train’ burger at the state’s oldest pub,
(nindigullypub.com). Each NINDIGULLY PUB burger feeds four and is a good talking-point alternative to BIRDSVILLE BAKERY’S (birdsvillebakery.com) curried camel pies. Those who prefer a cheeky croissant or pastry are in good hands: THE LODGE ON (thelodgeonhawthorn.com) in HAWTHORN
Blackall serves up tea, antiques and a sophisticated menu, while Adavale’s ELEGANT
(elegantemu.com) is popular for its high tea menu (just the place for those special occasions). Need a little fuel to start that long journey home? (facebook . ROMA’S REX COFFEE com/ReXCoffee17) comes to the party with decadent desserts and strong coffee.