Best 5 Queensland Outback Towns

Queensland is ever changing, in a day you can drive past majestic mountain ranges, glistening Pacific shoreline, endless sugarcane fields and a collection of colourful cities that are scattered across Queensland. For all this exceptional beauty, if you are in search of the true spirit of Queensland, it’s time to head west to discover the best 5 Queensland outback towns.

The Queensland outback conjures up images of weather toughened stockman, pioneer aviators looking to transform the nation and feisty shearers fighting for a fair go.

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Looking deeper you will find an ancient landscape where dinosaurs once roamed, their fossilised bones and footprints a testament to the timeless quality of the land. Join us as we explore this burnished landscape and introduce you to the cast of characters that shaped this extraordinary part of Australia. 

Winton one of Queensland Outback Towns
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Outback Queensland

When thinking of Queensland most people imagine sunshine and beaches. Surprisingly the outback covers an area of around 65% of Queensland. This massive area is divided into regions and in this story, we will be focusing on the Central West and Northwest regions of Queensland.

We fell in love with the dry and dusty landscapes of the Queensland outback and will take you to 5 of our favourite Queensland outback towns.

Road Train in the Queensland outback
Queensland outback roads

Outback Queensland town of Barcaldine

For such a small town Barcaldine certainly has an incredible history. The town was founded on the sheep’s back and became the birthplace of the Australian Labour Party.

In 1891 wool production was one of the country’s largest industries bringing wealth and prestige to Australia. While the fortunes of the landowning squatters increased the poor working conditions of the sheep shearers caused tensions which led to the 1891 shearers’ strike, one of Australia’s earliest and most important industrial disputes.

Barcaldine was one of the focal points of the strike, with strikers meeting at the Tree of Knowledge which stood outside the railway station.

You don’t have to be politically minded to enjoy a visit to Barcaldine. I found our time there to be thought provoking and came away feeling grateful for the struggles of our forefathers and appreciating the times we live in.

Barcaldine CBD one of the popular outback towns of Queensland
Main street of Barcaldine

Barcaldine Attractions

If you are looking for things to do in Barcaldine, you will find quite a few attractions to visit. When passing through consider an overnight stay or longer to give time to see them all. The main street is filled with character and home to the Tree of Knowledge.

Between the Bougainvillea’s Heritage Trail

Barcaldine has plenty of heritage-listed sites including the Barcaldine War Memorial Clock, Barcaldine Shire Hall, the Barcaldine Masonic Temple, St Peter’s Anglican Church and Hall, the Shearers Strike Camp site on the bank of Lagoon Creek and of course the Tree of Knowledge.

To learn more about the history of these buildings make sure to follow the Between the Bougainvillea’s Heritage Trail. This is a self-guided tour and the Between the Bougainvillea Heritage Booklet is available from the Barcaldine Visitor Information Centre.

Barcaldine Masonic Temple
Barcaldine Masonic Temple

The Tree of Knowledge

The Tree of Knowledge was a 200 year old ghost gum which was a symbol of the Australian Labour Party and Trade Unions. Strikers met under it during the 1891 shearers strike and the Labour Party manifesto was read under the tree in 1892.

Unfortunately, in 2006 the tree was poisoned and died shortly after. Thankfully a new memorial site was commissioned with the remains of the original tree which stands on the site today. The tree has an interesting design and is beautifully lit in the evening.

Tree of Knowledge Brcaldine
The Tree of Knowledge

The Australian Workers Heritage Centre

The Australian Workers Heritage Centre pays tribute to Australian workers and is a must to see when visiting Barcaldine. You don’t have to be a fan of the Labour Party to enjoy this attraction, which stretches over a large area.

On display are tributes to the evolution of a surprising number of careers, a fascinating overview of the working life of Australia.

Australian Workers Heritage Centre
Exhibit at the Australian Workers Heritage Centre

Barcaldine & District Folk Museum

If you want to learn more about the Barcaldine region, take a step back in time and make sure to stop off at the Barcaldine & District Folk Museum. The museum has a fabulous collection of vintage and antique treasures.

Barcaldine & District Folk Museum
Barcaldine & District Folk Museum

Where to eat in Barcaldine

If you are feeling hungry Barcaldine has a good selection of eateries including restaurants, bakery, pub meals and cafes.

Ridgee Didge Café

The Ridgee Didge Café is located on the main street of Barcaldine and is perfect for breakfast and lunch. The café serves a delicious range of quick bites and has a warm welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff.

Breakfast at the Ridgee Didge Café
Delicious breakfast at the Ridgee Didge Café

Where to stay in Barcaldine

Barcaldine has a variety of accommodation options including motor inns, motels, holiday rental cottages, hotels and caravan parks.

Barcaldine Tourist Park

During our stay we stayed at the Barcaldine Tourist Park which has a range of cabins, powered and unpowered caravan, campervan, motorhome and tent campsites. The park was spotlessly clean, and we really liked the convenience of the unisex ensuite amenities.

Ilfracombe

One of our favourite small towns in Queensland would have to be Ilfracombe, in fact we have stayed there many times during our outback Queensland road trips.

Known as “The Hub of the West” Ilfracombe was the railway transport hub for Wellshot Station which was once the largest sheep station in the world. During its heyday Wellshot Station ran a staggering 460,000 head of sheep.

Today the town is a welcoming community which pays tribute to its glory days with a fascinating range of attractions.

Machinery Mile

As you enter town you can’t miss the assortment of vintage cars, trucks and farm machinery that take pride and place along the main street. Machinery Mile is also home to a group of historic buildings which house an interesting collection of memorabilia from the area.

Machinery Mile at Ilfracombe. One of our favourite outback Queensland towns
Machinery Mile at Ilfracombe

Wellshot Centre

To discover the history of Ilfracombe and the surrounding region head over to the Wellshot Centre and watch the 20 minute film “A Rush for Grass”. This documentary tells the extraordinary story of Wellshot Station and gives a better understanding of how the outback was opened by the pastoralists and railway.

Ilfracombe Pool and Spa

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to relax in an Artesian Spa? At the Ilfracombe Pool and Spa, you have a choice of taking a dip in the swimming pool or enjoying the waters of an Artesian Spa.

Where to eat in Ilfracombe

For outback hospitality you can’t go past the Wellshot Hotel. This historic hotel serves a delicious range of Aussie pub meals in a friendly atmosphere. Just make sure to book ahead during the high season between May and September as the pub gets busy.

Wellshot Hotel Beer Garden
Wellshot Beer Garden before the evening rush

The Wellshot Hotel is one of our favourite hotels in Australia and we always enjoy revisiting. If you are looking for breakfast on the run, make sure to try one of their savoury mince jaffles.

Steak sandwich at the Wellshot Hotel
Wellshot Hotel dinner

Where to stay in Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is 27 km from Longreach and is a good accommodation alternative for those wanting a taste of outback life.

During our travels we have had the pleasure of staying at both the Wellshot Hotel and the Ilfracombe Caravan Park. The Wellshot Hotel has clean, well decorated rooms with shared facilities.

The Ilfracombe Caravan Park has a range of cabins, caravan and camping sites with a choice of unisex ensuite and shared amenities.

Ilfracombe Caravan Park
Ilfracombe Caravan Park

Longreach – A must visit outback Queensland town

Of all Australian towns, Longreach would have to be the one most credited for shaping the character of outback Queensland.

When you think of Longreach images of vast dusty landscapes and the faces of the courageous men and women who fought isolation and harsh climate come to mind. This resilience in the face of adversity led to a down to earth spirit which is unique to outback Australia.

Longreach has an outstanding range of attractions that highlight this outback spirit and will make your visit to the outback unforgettable.

Here are just two of our favourites there are many more including the Cobb and Co Stagecoach Experience, Starlights Cruise Experience of the Thomson River and the Nogo Station Experience.

Longreach

Qantas Founders Outback Museum

The flying kangaroo is an Australian icon, a much loved sight for travel weary Australians making their way home.

The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services or QANTAS as it is better known was the brainchild of Hudson Fysh, Paul McGinness and Fergus McMaster. The airline was founded in 1920 with visions of connecting remote outback communities with the rest of Queensland and over the next 100 years expanded into connecting Australia with the world.

The Qantas Founders Outback Museum is a fabulous day out which will take you on a journey from the early days of Qantas to the present. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the aircraft in the Airpark or watch the aircraft come alive with colour in the evening sound and light show.

Qantas Founders Outback Museum
One of the many planes on display in the Airpark

The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame

The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame is a Longreach icon which pays tribute to the everyday people of the outback. As you explore the galleries you will hear the incredible stories of these unsung heroes.

You will be enthralled by the courage and daring of this astounding cast of characters which include the local indigenous people, legendary stockman, prominent pastoralists, rodeo stars and the ordinary men and women of the land.

 Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame
Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame

Where to eat and stay in Longreach

Longreach has a great selection of eateries including restaurants, pub meals, bakery and coffee shops. If you are looking for Longreach accommodation there are a range of styles including motels, glamping retreats, motor inns and caravan park.

Winton

Of all the Australian outback towns, Winton would have the most fascinating history. At first glance this pretty town may seem like a sleepy backwater, but it was once the stomping ground of dinosaurs, is the birthplace of QANTAS airlines and has connections to Banjo Paterson and Waltzing Matilda.

Winton has a good selection of attractions to visit and the most delightful are the CBD Artworks that pay tribute to Winton’s past and decorate Winton’s main street.

Other attractions include Arno’s Wall, the Musical Fence, Winton’s Diamantina Heritage Truck & Machinery Museum and the Royal Open Air Theatre which hosts the annual Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival. For dinosaur fans you can head further afield to the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park.

As you can see there are plenty of things to do in Winton and here are two that shouldn’t be missed.

Queensland outback town of Winton
Winton CBD artworks

Australian Age of Dinosaurs

For one of the best days out make sure to visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs which is located 24km south of Winton on the road between Longreach to Winton.

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs sits high above the plains on a mesa called the “Jump Up.” From here you can see stunning views and if you try hard enough even imagine dinosaurs feeding on the plants of a lush green forest, a landscape vastly different from today.

Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Australian Age of Dinosaurs

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs will take you on a journey of discovery. You can visit the Fossil Preparation Laboratory and be introduced to the fossilised bones of Trixie, Butch, Mick and Elliot, see the dinosaur recreations at Dinosaur Canyon or learn about Banjo and his buddies in the collection room.

Ros and Alan at the Jump Up
Ros & Alan at the Jump Up

Waltzing Matilda Centre Winton

The Waltzing Matilda Centre tells the story of the Winton region and pays tribute to Banjo Paterson one of Australia’s best loved poets and author of Waltzing Matilda, Australia’s unofficial national anthem.

Waltzing Matilda Centre at the Queensland outback town of Winton
Waltzing Matilda Centre Winton

Where to eat in Winton

Winton has a great selection of pub and café food. The North Gregory Hotel features delicious pub meals in the Daphne Mayo Dining Room, hearty breakfasts at the Musical Fence Cafe and woodfired pizzas in Banjo’s Beer Garden.

You can try the best steak sandwich in Australia at the Tattersalls Hotel Winton and the Australian Hotel Winton serves a tasty breakfast jaffle.

Pancakes at the Musical Fence Cafe
Breakfast at the Musical Fence Cafe

Where to stay in Winton

There is a range of Winton accommodation to choose from, we enjoyed our stay at the North Gregory Hotel which had a 1950’s retro vibe. The North Gregory Hotel also has a fantastic range of entertainment between May and September.

We also stayed at the Boulder Opal Motor Inn which had clean comfortable rooms.

Outback Queensland town of Kynuna

When visiting Kynuna, it is hard to believe that the town once had a population of around 700 and boasted many hotels, today only one stands and that is the iconic Blue Heeler hotel.

Blue Heeler Hotel Kynuna
Kynuna Blue Heeler Hotel

Kynuna is one of those charming Queensland outback towns that need to be visited just to breathe in the heady atmosphere of a character filled historic hotel. Sit inside and write your name on the wall or step outside and have a chat with a friendly Brolga.

Inside you will find a plaque telling the story of Dagworth Station, its connection to Banjo Paterson and that the first pub performance of Waltzing Matilda was held at the Blue Heeler Hotel.

Blue Heeler Hotel Kynuna a unique Queensland Outback Town
Inside the Blue Heeler Hotel

Outback Queensland town of McKinlay

McKinlay is a tiny town flanked by farm machinery, a handful of buildings and is home to the Walkabout Creek Hotel which featured in the movie Crocodile Dundee.

McKinlay
McKinlay

The hotel was the site of the famous bar brawl scene in the movie and is a popular pit stop for anyone wanting to relive the movie while enjoying a beer and counter meal.

Originally called the Federal McKinlay Hotel, the Walkabout Creek Hotel now sports a new façade and embraces all things Crocodile Dundee.

Walkabout Creek Hotel at the small outback Queensland town of McKinlay
Walkabout Creek Hotel

Quick facts on Queensland Outback Towns

When is the best time to visit outback Queensland?

The best time to visit is between the months of May and September when the weather is cooler and there are less flies.

What is the Brisbane to Longreach drive time?

The drive time from Brisbane to Longreach is approximately 13 hours and is a distance of 1179 km.

What are the best attractions in Longreach?

Must visit tourist attractions in Longreach include the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Cobb and Co Stagecoach Experience.

Where is the Crocodile Dundee pub?

The Federal McKinlay Hotel in the town of McKinlay Queensland was the location for bar scenes in the Crocodile Dundee movie and is now renamed as the Walbabout Creek Hotel.

Where is the Tree of Knowledge located?

The Tree of Knowledge is in the main street of the outback Queensland town of Barcaldine.

Last Words on Best 5 Queensland Outback Towns

These Queensland outback towns were nothing like we expected them to be, they proved to be so much more than we ever imagined, and we left our hearts in more than one of them.

During our travels we have come to love the outback, the vast landscapes, friendly faces and a no nonsense attitude that is based on the struggles of living in a lonely and harsh environment. The people of the outback understand what is important and we admire their refreshing outlook on life.

This won’t be our last trip to the outback as we need to go back to reclaim our hearts. Have you visited any Queensland outback towns? What is your favourite? Feel free to comment we would love to hear from you.

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