Queensland Outback Escape

Leaving the City behind, we head West to our first stop, Cunnamulla. This township was created by Cobb & Co. in September 1879, when the first coach arrived in from Bourke. Today, it is the only surviving town along the original route.

Our local guide will take you to a private property on the outskirts of town. Arriving at the family Homestead, you are welcomed in to relax on the veranda. Here you will hear stories and memories of the Webster and Manning families lifetimes in the district, and of life today on Rocky Station. Following a tour of the property you will return to town for lunch at the iconic ‘Out the Back Australia Restaurant.’

This afternoon has been set aside for relaxing. You will have ample time to soak in the Cunnamulla Hot Springs, where the soothing springs are infused with natural minerals and offer a blissful retreat. Immerse yourself in one of seven pools, or the sauna and steam room while gazing out at the Warrego River.

Our late afternoon departure takes us to our next destination, Eromanga, home of the Natural History Museum, and home to Australia’s largest dinosaur. Found by local famers and cattle musterers back in 2006 the Australotitan cooperensis (A.K.A Cooper) is the largest of dinosaurs to be found in Australia, measuring up to 30 meters long and weighing up to 67 tonnes.

Overnight at the Coopers Country Lodge – Studio

After Breakfast you have the opportunity for a private tour with an experienced guide, taking you through the workshop, laboratory, and collection centre in the museum. Learn about the process of unearthing the age-old fossils and the intricate and delicate work involved with transporting them to the laboratory for storage. You may even witness one of the volunteers working with one of the fossils, removing rock and other sediments to restore the fossil to its original shape.

Late in the afternoon we depart Eromanga for the next highlight of this tour, the town of Longreach. Enjoy a blissful sunset cruise on the Thomson River, followed by a hearty Stockman’s Dinner around a campfire with bush poetry. Following dinner, you may have the opportunity for the Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show.

Overnight at The Stables – Studio Room

This morning starts with an early gourmet buffet breakfast, before heading out on the Nogo Station Experience that tours Longreach, before heading out to the Kinnon’s historic station. Your Kinnon host will take you on an insiders’ journey of station life, including the wool shed, Captain Starlight’s stockyards, and on their amazing station safari by open-top, double-decker bus to spot outback animals. Finish the morning’s adventure with a saddle-bag lunch and billy-tea by the gidgee campfire.

Following lunch, you will have the opportunity to visit The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, known as the ‘Sydney Opera House of the bush’.

Finally, you will visit the Qantas Founders’ Museum where you will have the opportunity to tour the Museum and go on an Airpark Tour. This will take the group through the history of Aviation and Qantas in Australia. Enjoy getting up close to some classic aircraft types including the Boeing 747, 707, DC-3 and Super Constellation.

Freshen up at your accommodation before your Stonegrill Dining Experience.

Overnight at The Stables – Studio Room

This is the highlight of the trip for many guests! Meet at ‘The Welcome Home’ for your gourmet buffet breakfast. Watch the harnessing of the stagecoach horses, then see our Town Crier announcing the day’s activities including the famous Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience. This experience includes a stagecoach ride along the old Longreach-to-Windorah mail route, home-baked ‘smoko’ (scones and tea) in the tearoom, followed by a classic Australian movie.

After a short break you will be ‘taken back in time’ to the pioneer era, where people flocked to the tent shows whenever they arrived in town. This show is inspired by the simple fun and humour of those days. Of course, times have changed, and we shudder at some of the original exhibits, but they still manage to pack in plenty of quirky humour and a few animal antics. With a very loose connection to the Harry Redford story, this show will give you a-laugh-a-minute outback style! Enjoy a billy-can lunch while you watch the Old Time Tent Show.

After the best of what Longreach has to offer, we now depart for our final leg back to Brisbane on what has been a true Outback experience.