15 Outback Queensland Tours That Survive a Second Look

1.Drover’s Sunset Cruise includes Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 665 reviews · from $121Our pick

Spend about 4.5 hours on the Thompson River and at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show in Longreach. Your captain shares stories of wildlife, Aboriginal heritage, and the river while you enjoy sunset views, complimentary savoury snacks, and drinks from the bar. Then settle in for a two-course camp-oven meal, damper, and live music under the stars. Pickup is available.

“It’s a laid back fun experience that makes you closer to the brave people that live out west. I loved it ❤️”

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2.Starlights Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 368 reviews · from $118

Spend about four hours on the Thomson River and in a bush camp outside Longreach. You’ll cruise aboard the paddlewheeler Thomson Belle, enjoy snacks and commentary, then eat a two-course stockman’s dinner beside a campfire. A bush poet, Captain Starlight’s sound and light show, billy tea, damper, and round-trip motel transfers are included. BYO alcohol is welcome.

“My grandson enjoyed the river cruise and loved the poetry and enjoyed trying the food although he didn't eat it. He did eat the damper and went back for seconds. the team were awesome”

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3.Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience in Longreach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · from $118

Spend about four hours following the Longreach-Windorah mail route by restored Cobb & Co stagecoach, including a thrilling gallop. Back at Outback Pioneers, enjoy scones, jam, cream, and tea, then watch a classic Australian bush movie and a live old-time tent show. Groups are limited to 12, and guide Will has earned praise for his friendly, engaging hosting.

“Tour guides were good. Life at the outback . Harsh travelling. Bravery of early pioneers. Great Animal show.”

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4.Roma: Lost World Carnarvons (Wallaroo) Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $211

Join Boobook Explore for a full day from Roma into the private Wallaroo cattle station, about 72,000 acres of sandstone country. An ecologist guide, including Meryl or Craig, leads you to the Axe Factory, Cycad Gorge, Arch Rock, Rainbow Cave and other Aboriginal and natural sites. Transport, lunch, snacks and guiding are included.

“This was a great tour! Our tour guide was Craig He was fantastic - knowledgeable and friendly. The scenery was awesome and our supplied morning tea and lunch were delicious. I would highly recommend :-)”

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5.Dinosaur Stampede 3/4 Day Tour from Winton

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · from $136

Travel from Winton to Lark Quarry Conservation Park with Red Dirt Tours for a guided look at more than 3,000 dinosaur footprints. Guides such as Bec and Peter explain the geology, wildlife, farming, and black soil country along the way. The 7.5-hour trip includes hotel pickup, lunch, refreshments, an air-conditioned vehicle, and access across private grazing land.

“amazing amount of information about the geology, farming practices and the properties of black soil country. SO interesting.”

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6.Nogo Station Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $118

Start with a Longreach heritage tour led by your Kinnon family host, then visit Nogo Station’s shearing shed and learn about Merino wool. Jeremy and Duncan add local stories and humor as you ride an open-top double-decker bus past sheep, cattle, camels, donkeys, kangaroos, goats, and wedge-tailed eagles. Finish with a pioneer-style smoko and billy tea under gum trees.

“Loved this tour as it shows just how much hard work is put into the station and what it entails. Such a great way to learn about what these farmers do with their knowledge and abilities. Very impressed.”

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7.Carisbrooke Station and Dinosaur Stampede Day Tour from Winton

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $150

Travel from Winton to Carisbrooke Station and Lark Quarry with guides such as Bec or Peter. See a preserved dinosaur stampede, walk the Spinifex track, and enjoy lunch, tea, and coffee. Your air-conditioned transfer and station access are included, with groups limited to 16 people.

“Peter our host and driver was very knowledgeable of the country and the history. He was very organised and the views and sights of the country were exceptional. Being private property, you can't see some of these sites without doing a toRead more”

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8.Best of Mount Isa Tour (2 hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $28

This two-hour North West Tours outing gives you a fast, useful introduction to Mount Isa, from the lookout and mine workings to Casa Grande, the train station, Buchanan Park, and local flora and fauna. Former miner Phil has guided some departures, adding first-hand detail about the city and mine. The tour starts at 9:30 am and returns to 19 Marian St.

“Our guide and bus driver enjoyed showing us around Mt Isa. The tour was very comprehensive. It included the mine, the various style and history of the houses and the history of the rodeo. We concluded the tour at the Look Out which provided an overview of the town and it was very worthwhile.”

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9.Longreach: Drover’s Sunset Cruise & Outback Dinner & Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 4h 30m · from $119

Spend 4.5 hours cruising the Thomson River aboard the Longreach Explorer, with Captain Danny’s stories, sunset views, homemade nibbles, and a licensed bar. Then enjoy a two-course camp oven inspired dinner, billy tea, damper, and live music at Smithy’s River Stage, with coach transfers from Longreach accommodation.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our evening, from the beautiful sunset, to the captains commentary, the fabulous dinner, dessert and damper. A very well organised evening, staff were great, food excellent. As there were many of ilia that came to Apex Park from Muddy Duck, it would be nice to have the bus pick us up. We drove over to Apex Park as it was so dark when we returned”

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10.Rangelands Rifts and Sunset Tour Winton

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $64

Ride from Winton to Rangelands Station for a guided walk through erosion-cut rock rifts, then settle at a sunset lookout with snacks and your own drinks. Guides such as Jo and Dana add local insight. Pickup is offered, the group is capped at 18, and the tour lasts about three hours.

“Breathtaking landscape with stunning sunset views. Exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend. From the road or distance we would never have known these spectacular rock rifts and formations existed. Thankyou for such an informative and relaxing evening.”

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11.Longreach: Sunset Paddlewheeler Cruise, Show and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 38 reviews · 4 hours · from $118

Spend four hours with Outback Pioneers on the Thomson River and riverbank. You will cruise aboard the historic Thomson Belle, eat a two-course stockman’s dinner, hear bush poetry from performers such as Ange, and watch Starlight’s sound and light show about Captain Starlight. Hotel pickup, billy tea, damper, and return transport are included.

“A great Outback experience. Very well organized and a great setup.”

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12.Longreach: Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 29 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

Spend three hours beside the Coolibah-lined Thomson River with a two-course camp oven dinner cooked over Gidyea coals, followed by damper, billy tea, and live outback songs and stories. Outback Aussie Tours provides return coach transfers from Longreach accommodation. Bring a jacket, and advise the team about dietary or mobility needs in advance.

“The show was not what I expected at a outback show a woman singing songs to electronic music songs that were not relevant to OUTBACK I felt I was in a pub not an outback show where I would have thought there would be stories told about the outback and live music not pressing a computer to make music I was very disappointed”

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13.Winton Discovery Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · from $211

Leave Longreach at 6:30am for Winton with an air-conditioned coach, local stories, and a full day of outback heritage. Visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Winton Opal Gems, the North Gregory Hotel, and the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Lunch, entry fees, and pickup are included, with guides such as Duncan, Richard, Graham, and Jorgie featured on different departures.

“Our driver was very experienced and gave us the local knowledge but I found many of his comments boring, dated and sexist - considering most of travelers were women ! The lunch at Winton Northern Hotel was more of a kids sized meal of either fish n chips or bangers and mash - both pretty cheap meals to prepare.”

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14.Winton: Dinosaur Stampede 3/4 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 26 reviews · 7 hours · from $134

Spend seven hours exploring Winton’s mesa country, a working cattle station, Merton Gorge and Lark Quarry’s Dinosaur Stampede. Your English-speaking guide, often Bec, Jess or Angie, explains the region’s plants, wildlife, geology and human past. Hotel and caravan park pickup, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included.

“Wonderful !! Bec was the best!! We will never forget our trip with her! Thank you!!”

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15.Longreach History and Town Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 23 reviews · 1 hour · from $17Best value

Ride through Longreach with a local English-speaking guide, hearing stories about the town, its people, history, and daily life in Outback Queensland. Brett has led some tours with plenty of humour and detail. The one-hour trip uses a comfortable air-conditioned bus and visits interesting historic places around town. Meet by the big red chair in Qantas Park.

“Very informative guide who explained the town's history and also added lots of humour. We were well entertained. The bus was very comfortable. Just a small group of six. The guide checked if we would like extra time and extended the tour for us.”

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