Travel period 29 July – 11 August 2023
The Australian Outback is one of the most captivating locations you could ever hope to visit, drawing visitors from around the world with its awe-inspiring landscapes and timeless beauty.
With rugged landscapes, native wildlife and quirky adventures await, the Australian outback is like nowhere else on the planet. Not forgetting to mention the eccentric pubs and the spectacular night skies ablaze with stars. For that reason, we travelled far and wide to see the best of the Australian Outback!
On this trip to the Australian Outback, we travelled through the mining town of Broken Hill, Cameron Corner, into Strzelecki track and Innamincka. We also ventured into the Outback Queensland and through parts of Matilda Way. It was an amazing trip and we could not wait to share our experience with you!
During our trip we were using a combination of Camps 8 book; which is certainly very helpful in forward planning and WikiCamps on device; which is great help.
We also carried decent paper maps of any area we visited; which is always handy and will get us out of strife when electronic devices have us hopelessly bushed. GPS navigation devices do completely lose the plot at times.
For more information click on Camps Australia Wide site and WikiCamps site.
Our Ultimate Outback Road Trip
Our trip started with a drive from Melbourne towing an off-road camper trailer to Mildura via Calder Fwy.
Mildura is a major producer of citrus fruits and the best place to have a Mildura orange experience is the Orange World. The shop has everything from yummy marmalades and orange ice creams to orange cakes and chocolate.
If you are a motoring enthusiast, a visit to the Mildura Holden Motor Museum would be a trip down memory lane. There are around 30 cars on display along with Holden memorabilia and merchandise.
Day 1 – Wentworth
⇒ Area: New South Wales
This first day, from where we stayed, we headed towards Wentworth, an interesting small border town in the far south west of the state of New South Wales. Known as the gateway to Outback NSW, this historical town has plenty to offer visitors on a road trip!
Things to do in Wentworth:
- Climb the Viewing Tower to see the river junction from above
- Follow the Wentworth Discovery Trail
- Take in the creepy atmosphere at the heritage listed Old Wentworth Gaol
- Take a picture of Ferguson Tractor Monument
- Do the self-guided tour at Wentworth Military Collection
- Visit the National Trust listed Wentworth Court House
- See fossilised remains of Australia’s extinct megafauna at Wentworth Pioneer Museum
- Sightseeing along the Murray River on P.S. Ruby (Paddle Steamer Ruby)
Nearby natural site to explore:
- Australian Inland Botanic Gardens – showcases a range of Australian natives from both arid and higher rainfall areas as well as exotic plantings grounded in country of origin.
- Mungo National Park (World Heritage listed) – there are many places to visit in Mungo NP, such as Lake Mungo, Mungo Woolshed, Zanci Homestead, or join a Mungo guided tour to the Walls of China.
- Perry Sandhill – a unique land formation of 400 acres of continuously shifting sand dunes.
Leaving Wentworth, we joined the Silver City Hwy heading north towards Broken Hill.
Day 2 – Broken Hill & Silverton
⇒ Area: Corner Country in the Outback of NSW
1. Broken Hill
Broken Hill is the heart of the Australian mining industry. Discovered by boundary rider and prospector, Charles Rasp in 1883, Broken Hill contains the world’s largest ore seam of silver, lead, and zinc, known as the Line of Lode.
We started our day by visiting Broken Hill Visitor Centre to check on surrounding road conditions and information about permits and passes before heading into places of interest such as;
- Line of Load Miners Memorial – the striking architecturally designed memorial, which was opened in 2001, has the name of each miner who perished etched into freestanding glass panels within the high, rust-red steel walls. It is a sobering reminder of the cruel reality of mining and the people who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Broken Hill’s thriving past.
- Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience – the experience offers the opportunity to learn about the heroic history and current-day operations of a service that has been coming to the aid of remote-living Australians since 1928.
- Palace Hotel – the most famous and iconic hotel in Broken Hill, as it was featured in the iconic Australian movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
- Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre) – home to the ‘Silver Tree’, once owned by BHP founder Charles Rasp.
- The Living Desert and Sculptures – the sculptures can be found on Sundown Hill, in the Living Desert Reserve. It is a magical spot with sweeping views of the outback landscape.
2. Silverton
Silverton is an outback town 25 km north west of Broken Hill. Perched on the edge of the desert, this outback town might be a shadow of its former self but it is worth a visit.
Silverton highlights:
- Silverton Gaol Museum – run by the Broken Hill Historical society, this museum is jam packed with memorabilia.
- Mad Max 2 Museum – whether you are a Mad Max fan or not, you will be wowed by the size and scope of the collection.
- Silverton Hotel – tickle your taste buds with sensational pub food, cold beer on tap and world-class hospitality.
- John Dynon Gallery – corrugated and colourful tin shed, that is festooned with painted bicycles, a paint splattered car and a life-sized model of the Australian folk hero, Ned Kelly.
- Mundi Mundi Lookout – an impressive lookout overlooking the expansive and seemingly never-ending Mundi Mundi Plains.
- Historic Daydream Mine – a guided underground tour through a silver mine and get an insight into the harsh realities of mining a century ago.
There is so much to see in and around Broken Hill. We highly suggest spending more days in Broken Hill to explore other interesting attractions Broken Hill has to offer.
Day 3 – Packsaddle, Milparinka, Tibooburra & Cameron Corner
⇒ Area: Corner Country in the Outback of NSW
On day three, we continued travelling on Silver City Hwy, passed through Packsaddle, located 175 km north of Broken Hill, halfway to Tibooburra. With its bar, dining room and outside area, it is the place where you can enjoy a meal and a cold drink. The Roadhouse also offers fuel supplies.
Our next stop was Milparinka, a Heritage Town sited on the edge of Evelyn Creek and offers a fascinating glimpse of outback life, with beautifully restored colonial buildings and atmospheric ruins. Worth a visit!
A further 40 km north brought us to Tibooburra, the most remote township in far western New South Wales and regarded with some pride as “the Capital of the Corner Country”.
We stopped at Tibooburra for a top-up of fuel and did not do sightseeing. However, with the spectacular Sturt National Park on its doorstep, it is a great base to explore the region’s magnificent gorges and rippling red sandhills, as well as the unique history of this former gold mining settlement.
As we continued driving, the drive from Tibooburra to Cameron Corner took us through a diverse landscape including the Waka Claypan, past Fort Grey which was a provisions stockade built by explorer Charles Sturt for his inland expeditions, and on to the Corner.
Cameron Corner is the iconic “must-visit” destination of Corner Country. It is where the three States meet, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. The Corner store is on the Queensland side. However, receives its supplies from New South Wales and telephone services from South Australia. It is open 7 days a week and offers meals, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
Nearby, the famous dog fence, it is world’s longest fence that stretches more than 5,600 km across three states.
It was late afternoon by the time we reached the Corner, so we set up our camp and watched the sun go down with a cold drink in our hand. Could not be more relaxed than this!
Day 4 – Merty Merty, Strzelecki Track, Innamincka & Cooper Creek
⇒ Area: Outback South Australia
We started our day early and headed off on the road to Merty Merty and then got on to the Strzelecki Track. The road to Merty Merty was a roller coaster ride over clay capped sand dunes until we reached the Strzelecki Track near Merty Merty Station.
From here we continued to well graded new Strzelecki Track to the town of Innamincka, which is little more than a pub, general store, and fuel pumps. It is a gateway to the Central Deserts.
Innamincka is situated along the delightful Cooper Creek, and some of the most beautiful camping can be found along the banks of Cooper, the most notable is ‘The Town Common’ about 5 min walk from The Innamincka Hotel.
There are many things to do in the area and the surroundings, such as visiting Burke & Wills Historic Site and of course the famous Dig Tree, discover the majestic Coongie Lakes, or simply sit back and unwind at Innamincka Hotel.
Be noted – a permit is required to travel from Innamincka to Coongie Lakes. The required permit is the Desert Parks Pass or a one-day permit, which is can be obtained from the Trading Post at Innamincka.
Day 5 – Cordillo Downs Road
⇒ Area: Outback South Australia
We Headed north out of Innamincka to Birdsville via Cordillo Downs Road goes through the Sturt Stony Desert. Often used as a “shortcut” between Innamincka and Birdsville, this road is renowned for its endless rocks and stones.
The drive was rough, heavily corrugated, and slow going. As we came to a T junction where Cordillo Downs Road meets Arrabury Road, the landscape is changed into scattered red sand dunes.
It was not long before we back onto the gibber plains as we approach in Cordillo Downs Station. The station once occupied an area of 7,800 square kilometres and was regarded as Australia’s largest sheep station where over 85,000 sheep were hand shorn in late 1800’s.
One of the best-known features of the station is the heritage listed woolshed. It was built from local stone and used a curved corrugated iron roof, due to the lack of availability of timber in the area. It is a masterpiece of stonemasonry.
After we left the Cordillo Downs Woolshed, the road only gets worse. The road surface is covered in semi-exposed stones and corrugations are a constant companion.
Approximately 85 km north of the woolshed, we arrived at Cadelga Ruins. The ruins are the old homestead of the Cadelga Station, which was a significant sheep station in the region.
Cadelga homestead was built back in 1877 and continued to be in use until the 1950’s. When the buildings were no longer needed the Cadelga homestead slowly deteriorated into a crumbling mess of a sandstone ruins known as the Cadelga Ruins.
Scattered around the ruins are pieces of old machinery and the shell of an old car filled with bullet holes. Nearby is Cadelga Waterhole, and a lot of people do find camp along the creek if you are looking for spot to stay overnight.
From the ruins, about 15 km further north is the South Australia/Queensland border. The road conditions immediately improved as we crossed the border, the narrow road turns into a wide built-up clay all the way to Birdsville Developmental Road.
We continued on driving west along Birdsville Developmental Road until we reached Birdsville. We pulled up in Birdsville for the night. After setting up, and with a few drinks in hand, we enjoyed what was a spectacular sunset.
In summary, Cordillo Downs Road is rough going but we really enjoyed the trip. We did this in one full day, but it was a big day of driving.
Day 6 – Birdsville & Haddon Corner
⇒ Area: Channel Country in the Outback of Qld
Birdsville is an iconic Outback town surrounded by vast gibber plains and braided Channel Country. Famous for annual events such as; the Big Red Bash Music Festival and the Birdsville Races, the town and surrounding area also boast with many attractions.
Here is some of the highlights:
Was built in 1884 the Birdsville Hotel has everything you need from the bar, restaurant, and accommodation. It is steeped in history and has played an important part in the exploration and settlement of Australia’s desert country.
Just a short walk from the centre of town is free bush camping sites next to Diamantina River, there is plenty of space for campers to set up for the night.
Located just outside of town and over the Diamantina River is the Burke and Wills Tree. You can access the tree from the main road or over the Diamantina Crossing Road towards the stables.
For 4WD enthusiast, you can take the challenge and tackle the Big Red Sand Dune. Big Red (original name Nappanerica) stands well over 30 metres tall and is part of a series of around 1,140 parallel sand dunes stretching across the desert.
Birdsville Bakery was high on our agenda. Known for its famous curried camel pies, serves fresh food and coffee, your visit will not be complete without a stop at this local bakery.
After a quick stop at the Birdsville Bakery for a sausage roll and pie, we left Birdsville for Windorah and made a few stops along the way.
Points of interest include:
- View the Dreamtime Serpent – it is a work of art represents the river systems connecting the Channel Country and was created using stone and gibbers from the region. This magnificent piece of Aboriginal artwork is worth a visit.
- Visit the Betoota ghost town – it is a favourite spot for travellers to stop and have a cold drink.
- Deon’s Lookout – is the perfect place for travellers to take a break and admire the spectacular view over Channel Country.
From the Lookout, we continued along the Birdsville Developmental Road. At the turnoff to Innamincka, we make a detour and headed south on the Arrabury Road to visit the iconic Haddon Corner.
About 40 km down on the Arrabury Road was the turn off to Haddon Corner. The Haddon Corner track quickly drops down off the gibber country onto a vast floodplain.
Just short of the Corner we had to traverse two sand dunes. Both are easy to climb from the west (on the way in) but can be difficult from the east. However, we went up and over with no difficulties.
Haddon Corner marks the north-eastern extension of the Queensland-South Australia border. After the obligatory photos, we headed north east towards Windorah.
Day 7 – Windorah, Jundah & Stonehenge
⇒ Area: Channel Country in the Outback of Qld
Located in Far West Queensland, in the heart of the Channel Country, Barcoo region is one of the more remote shires with an area of 61,974 square kilometres in far Western Queensland, incorporating the townships of Windorah, Jundah and Stonehenge. Rich in history, the Barcoo Shire has an outback experience to offer everyone.
1. Windorah
Windorah is the Aboriginal word meaning “Big Fish” and is located 35 km south of where the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers join to form the multi-channelled Cooper’s Creek.
Points of interest in Windorah:
- Soak up the serenity of the magnificent sunset at the Windorah Red Sandhills, located12 km to the West of town on the Birdsville Road.
- Explore the Walking Together Park, a delightful nature and art display with installations by outback artists and members of the local community.
- The 12 km unsealed Nature Drive winds its way through the different landscapes between Windorah Township and Coopers Creek. It is the easy way to learn abut the channel country’s vegetation.
- Located 2 km east of Windorah on the Quilpie Road is the Windorah Solar Farm. It is a “small” local project that powers the town and quite a landmark out here in the west.
2. Jundah
Nestled safely above the floodplain of the Thomson River, downstream from Stonehenge, Jundah is the Administrative Centre of the Barcoo Shire, and the largest of the three towns in the shire.
Points of interest in Jundah:
- Visit the historical site of Magee’s Shanty, located about 90 kms east-southeast of Jundah.
- The Historial Museum offers a window into the early pioneering times of the district.
- Follow the 7 km loop to see desert spinifex, swampland, gidgee, mulga, and a variety of trees on the Settler’s Nature Drive.
- Located 32 km north east of Jundah is the Native Well. Here is where the local Aboriginal people captured valuable water supplies.
3. Stonehenge
We continued travelling on Thomson Developmental Road towards Stonehenge, and about 5 km north of the Native Well is Swanvale Lookout, which is offers a scenic view from the visitors’ lookout.
Stonehenge highlights:
- Sign the visitors book Stonehenge style, you write your name in stone directly beside the main road not far from town.
- Follow the scenic John Egan Pioneer Track to discover the magnificent landscapes.
- Visit the Stonehenge Rock Holes. These Rock Holes are shaded by the ghostly white gum trees.
Continuing along Thomson Developmental Road, we headed north east towards Longreach.
Day 8 – Longreach
⇒ Area: Channel Country in the Outback of Qld
Longreach is a popular outback destination for many travellers, particularly those doing road trips around Australia. It is a great outback base to soak up the history and the atmosphere of Artesian Country.
Longreach has two museums that are worth visiting. The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum are the town’s main drawcards.
These are some of the highlight things to see and do in Longreach:
- Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre – it is an outstanding museum tribute to the pioneers of the Australian outback along with the stockman who’s shown bravery and courage working the lands. Highly recommended! It gives you so much understanding of the huge task to explore and settle Australia’s vast inland.
- Qantas Founders Museum – the museum provides an interactive educational experience detailing the history and development of the country’s pioneer airline from early days to present day. Encompassing a heritage hangar airpark, museum, galleries, restaurant and the gift shop, there is a lot to cover on a visit here.
- Powerhouse Museum and Social History Building – the Powerhouse Museum is the largest rural electricity generation plant in Australia. The building still contains the original gas-producers and eight enormous generators from different periods.
- Longreach School of Distance Education – it is the largest classroom in the world!
Other attractions in the area:
- Camden Park Station – it is a family run iconic Australian working station providing an exceptional Australia’s outback experience on a tour of Camden Park station. You will see the one-hundred-year-old family homestead and shearing shed, and hear how Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip once dropped by.
- Outback Pioneers’ Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience – feel the surge of adrenaline as you are transported full-tilt in a restored Cobb & Co Stagecoach. This unique experience gives you an authentic taste of how our outback pioneers used to get around this wide, brown land.
- Starlight’s Cruise Experience – step on board a historic paddle wheeler for a leisurely ride down the Thomson River and a two-course stockman’s dinner around the campfire.
- Great Darr River Rail Run – aboard the heritage Rail Motor as it travels through the incredible landscapes from the Dreamtime of the Inningai people, and watch as the countryside changes from floodplains to Gidgee scrub, then open Boree, to Leander sand ridge, and the Mulga country.
If you are after free things to do in Longreach, located 50 km (42 km unsealed) outside of town is Starlight’s Lookout. Named after the notorious Australian bushranger, this rock formation offers a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. It is a popular spot for a breathtaking outback sunset.
Longreach was easily one of the highlights of our trip. There are some truly amazing experiences to be had here, from stockmen and pioneers to the amazing landscape with spectacular sunsets and endless skies. There really is no shortage of amazing tourist attractions in Longreach.
Day 9 – Ilfracombe & Barcaldine
⇒ Area: Outback Qld
1. Ilfracombe
Just short of twenty minutes’ drive from Longreach on Landsborough Hwy, we had passed through Ilfracombe on our way to Barcaldine. It is a small settlement on the vast flat plains of western Queensland.
Named after the small Devonshire town in England, Ilfracombe was once the transport hub for the Wellshot Station, the largest sheep station in Australia.
Below are some of the attractions in Ilfracombe that are worth stopping in to if passing through, which is located on Main Avenue (Landsborough Hwy).
Driving into Ilfracombe, you cannot miss a remarkable “Great Machinery Mile” museum which stretches the length of the town. It is an amazing collection of old machinery, including a 1917 Ruston Proctor Tractor, Ilfracombe Council’s first Caterpillar Grader purchased from Army Disposals in 1947, steam devil, excavators, bulldozers, drills, boilers and many more.
The Jackson Collections is the lifetime collections of two brothers, Hilton, and Ike Jackson. Hilton’s bottles are reputed to be one of the largest and best collections in Australia and contains over 30,000 bottles. Ike’s valuable collection comprises over 120 firearms from wars and battles fought throughout the world and includes a Japanese Nambu submachine gun.
The Heritage Precinct houses the Folk Museum, a replica of an early station residence, also situated within the museum complex is Oakhampton Cottage which offers a tangible glimpse into early outback households and Romani Hall, a memorial to the young men of the district who answered ‘the call to arms’ and is dedicated to Australia’s Light Horseman.
The Wellshot Hotel has some interesting decor that sure to catch your eye. Inside the hotel, there was all manner of hats were fixed to the top of the walls and five-dollar notes were pinned to the ceiling. Not to mention the early photographs and many other fascinating artifacts like the unique old-time timber wool press bar. It is one of the most unique outback pubs and well worth looking through.
The Wellshot Centre is also the Visitor Information Centre and has an interesting video “A Rush for Grass” about the history of the local sheep station (Wellshot Station) along with other historical displays.
2. Barcaldine
After our stroll along Main Avenue, we continued our travel on Landsborough Hwy towards Barcaldine – a small Queensland town located on the junction of the Capricorn and Landsborough Hwy, about an hour drive east of Ilfracombe and it is proud of its interesting and famous history.
We went to Barcaldine Visitor Information Centre as soon as we arrived. It’s a great visitor centre with lots of information on the town and region. We were also able to collect some brochures on other towns in the Barcaldine Region that we are interested in heading to. Well worth a visit to plan your stay.
Not far from the Visitor Centre is the Australian Workers Heritage Centre. It is a cultural and heritage styled interpretive centre honouring our nation’s workers. Spread across several heritage buildings, the Centre’s exhibits are dedicated to various workers, including; teachers, railway workers, power workers, police, emergency services and more.
Standing tall in the centre of Barcaldine, the historic Tree of Knowledge is famous for being the birthplace of the Australian Labour movement. The tree was mysteriously poisoned in 2006, today the remains have been preserved and placed under an amazing timber structure made from recycled telephone poles.
There are also interpretive panels and a sculpture that celebrates the leaders of the 1891 Shearers’ Strike and the history of the Labor movement. It is a vital piece of Australia’s heritage and one of the must things to do in Barcaldine.
Located at the corner of Beech and Gidyea Streets, Barcaldine and District Historical Museum is home to an extensive collection of memorabilia from early days in and around Barcaldine. On display is a range of items and artefacts from the pioneering days, including medical equipment, household items, machinery, photographs, and paintings.
Between the Bougainvilleas is the award-winning heritage trail and it is a great way to explore the town of Barcaldine. Pick up the booklet from the Information Centre and keep a look for the maroon signs with the little windmill logo to follow the trail.
You can either walk or drive along the mapped-out Heritage Trail, passing through the town’s significant historical sites, including: The Radio Picture Theatre (built in 1926), Masonic Lodge (National Heritage listed building, built in 1901) and St Peter’s Anglican Church (National Heritage listed building, built in 1898).
If wildlife spotting is on your wish list, Lara Wetlands sprawling 16 acres is home to an abundant array of birds and wildlife.
Other attractions that are worth exploring:
- Barcaldine Rec Park – a man-made lake which offers a place for recreation and water sport activities.
- Lloyd Jones Weir – a popular recreation, fishing, and camping site on the banks of the Alice River, located about 14 km southwest of Barcaldine.
- Lagoon Creek – a popular walking and birds watching spot.
There is a lot to like about Barcaldine!
Day 10 – Aramac & Muttaburra
⇒ Area: Outback Qld
It was another glorious morning and we were excited to be heading off to Aramac and Muttaburra for a day trip.
Like many small towns in the Australian Outback, Aramac and Muttaburra, punches well above its weight for things to see and do.
1. Aramac
It is about 67 km north of Barcaldine, Aramac offers a unique mix of outback pioneering history, scenic outback drives, and local landmarks.
While in town make sure you visit the Harry Redford Interpretive Centre, and learn about the infamous Harry Redford (Captain Starlight), an outback cattle thief whose theft of a distinctive white bull led to his capture.
Explore the Tramway Museum, where you can see Aunt Emma RN28 rail motor and memorabilia from the early years of settlement.
Get off the beaten track and make your way to Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail. This 200-kilometre trail showcases over 40 unique metal sculptures scattered throughout the countryside, each telling a part of the region’s story. A wonderful blend of art and history.
Along the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail there is also the renowned Gray Rock – a massive, prominent historical landmark and local rock formation, the wonder of Horsetailer’s Gorge – a scenic gorge area that offers a striking look at the local outback terrain, the mystical Healing Circle and the glorious freshwater Lake Dunn – featuring nearby camping and basic amenities.
2. Muttaburra
Muttaburra is an outback town 85 km north west of Aramac. It is the closest town to the geographical centre of the state, making it officially the heart of Queensland.
Top attractions in Muttaburra:
- Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre – see a life-sized replica of the famous Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, a plant-eating dinosaur discovered nearby by a local grazier in 1963. Features a statue celebrating the discovery of the first dinosaur skeleton in Australia.
- Centre of Queensland Monument – stand at the official geographic centre of the state and snap a photo with the monument.
- Dr Arratta Memorial Museum – the museum operates as a time capsule, preserving the hospital rooms, operating theatre (built in 1933), wards, and 1950s medical equipment almost exactly as they were left when the facility closed. Guided tours of the Museum can be arranged by calling into the Muttaburra Visitor Information located in the post office.
It was an interesting day out in this remote part of the land. We now head back to Barcaldine. It will then be on to Charleville tomorrow morning.
Day 11 – Blackall, Tambo & Charleville
⇒ Area: Outback Qld
Up bright and early, we headed out of Barcaldine via Landsborough Hwy/A2, passed through Blackall. Often described as a town that “grew on the sheep’s back”, Blackall played a significant role in Australia’s wool industry.
Key Highlights in Blackall:
- Swing by the historic Blackall Woolscour, the last remaining steam-powered wool-washing plant in Australia.
- Take a dip in pure artesian waters at the Aquatic Centre with a relaxing bubble spa, heated naturally to between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius.
Our next stop was Tambo, the oldest town in the west, wander back in time along the Heritage Walk visiting old buildings and historically significant places. While in town make sure you visit the Tambo Teddies Workshop and see the sheep skin teddy bears being created.
Then we hit the road again for Charleville, best known as the largest town in southwest Queensland. Highlights here include the Charleville Cosmos Centre (galaxy-gazing at its finest), and the Charleville Bilby Experience is where you can meet Australia’s most adorable endangered marsupial.
The driving distance from Barcaldine to Charleville is approximately 409 km along the Matilda Way, stretching through some of the state’s most storied landscapes. It was an unforgettable Outback Queensland road trip.
Day 12 – Cunnamulla, Bourke & Louth
⇒ Area: Outback Qld & Outback NSW
Today we headed south from Charleville along the Mitchell Highway through Cunnamulla, the land of the legendary Cunnamulla Fella (the legend made famous by musician Slim Dusty).
Attractions in the area:
- The Cunnamulla Fella – larger than life bronze statue and cultural icon honouring outback stockmen and shearers, popularized by Slim Dusty’s famous country song.
- Artisan Hot Springs – relaxing, mineral-rich thermal pools fed by the Great Artesian Basin.
- Warrego River – is much more than a place for fishing and kayaking, the scenic backdrop is perfect for enjoying a peaceful sunset.
Leaving Cunnamulla, we drive south and across the New South Wales border down to Bourke, a historic outback town in northwestern New South Wales known as the gateway to the “real” outback and the origin of the famous Aussie expression “Back o’ Bourke”.
In the late 1800s, Bourke was a thriving inland port and trading post, today Bourke is a historic outback town on the banks of the Darling River, boast with heritage landmarks and Indigenous culture, as well as thrilling outdoor adventure in the nearby national parks.
Here is some of the highlights:
- Enjoy one of the relaxing daily cruises on the famous Darling River by aboard the majestic Jandra Paddleboat. Book your tickets conveniently at the Back O’ Bourke Information and Exhibition Centre.
- Experience the unique drive to the summit of Mount Oxley for panoramic summit views and the stunning sunsets with vibrant pinks blues yellow and purples painting the sky.
- Visit the memorial stones for local poets and writers – including Henry Lawson, Francis Humphris, Will Ogilvie and Harry Morant at the Poet’s Corner, located in the northeast corner of Bourke’s Central Park.
- Discover the stories of Australia through modern eyes, from the rich cultural history of the past through to the future of the Australian Outback at The Back O’ Bourke Information and Exhibition Centre.
Be noted that Mount Oxley does require a day permit to visit, as it is located on private property. This can be purchased from the Back O’ Bourke Information and Exhibition Centre.
We called it a day from here and headed southwest along the eastern side of the Darling River. The unsealed road offered scenic and rugged outback driving routes lead us towards Louth – a tiny historic outback village on the banks of the Darling River in New South Wales, located about 100 km southwest of Bourke.
The town is made famous by the Louth Races which are held in August each year. This annual event brings together travellers from far and wide for a fun weekend of horse racing, fashion and entertainment. It’s an outback experience not to be missed, and you can also enjoy it while camping by the river.
It was late afternoon when we pulled up at Dunlop Station – a historic Darling River pastoral property famous for hosting the world’s first mechanical sheep shearing in 1888.
In its 19th-century peak, the property sprawled over nearly 400,000 hectares (one million acres) and employed a massive workforce of shearers and cooks. Today, the property operates as a heritage site along the Darling River Run, featuring an intact 10-bedroom stone homestead, a 45-stand shearing shed, an 1880s general store, and riverside campsites.
The campsite just a short drive across the property right on the riverbank, beneath towering river gums, where we can camp off-grid, sit back, relax, and enjoy the moment, surrounded by pure serenity, with the crackling sound of the campfires. This place is truly a hidden gem. We love it!
Day 13 – Tilpa, Wilcannia & Hay
⇒ Area: New South Wales
Continuing along the eastern side of the Darling River, we passed through Tilpa – a small historic town sits on the western bank of the Darling River and was once a bustling trade port for paddle steamers. Today, it’s known for its charming outback pub and welcoming community.
Then the town of Wilcannia – a small town located on the very edge of the New South Wales desert and has the remnants of a once-important inland port. Today, the town is still lined with a remarkable collection of heritage buildings and historic treasures include the old centre-lift bridge which was built in 1896 and is now classified by the National Trust.
From Wilcannia we continue on the Barrier Hwy, then turn right onto Cobb Hwy before reaching Hay – a historic rural town located in the western Riverina region of south-western New South Wales. It is primarily known for its rich agricultural history, especially in the wool and sheep-shearing industries.
Top Attractions in Hay:
- Dunera Museum – discover the gripping history of World War II civilian internees and prisoners of war housed in Hay. It’s an educational and humbling experience making it a must-visit destination in Hay.
- Hay Gaol Museum – this was once a notorious prison, and today it houses a collection of artifacts, from antique windmills to an old bark canoe.
- Shear Outback – it offers a hands-on experience of rural life and learn about Australia’s rich shearing heritage and outback culture at the Australian Shearers Hall of Fame.
- Bishop’s Lodge Historic House – is a unique corrugated iron building engineered to beat the harsh outback heat.
With a rich agricultural history, picturesque landscapes, and a warm rural spirit, the Hay Plains offers a unique blend of experiences for travellers passing through. We would definitely recommend a visit.
Day 14 – Deniliquin & Shepparton
⇒ Area: New South Wales & Victoria
We travelled back to Melbourne from Hay via Deniliquin and Shepparton by Cobb Hwy. We stopped at Deniliquin – is a waterside town in New South Wales featuring water activities on the Edward River, rich pioneering history, and the famous annual Deni Ute Muster.
Deni Ute Muster is one of Australia’s premier rural events and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of utility vehicles. Held annually on the October long weekend that draws thousands of visitors.
Just a short drive from Deniliquin Visitor Information Centre, suspended high above the ground, is the iconic “Ute on a Pole”. It is a favourite selfie spot with stunning views by the river’s edge, and a must-see for every visitor.
From Deniliquin, we continued along Cobb Hwy towards Shepparton – a vibrant regional city in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley. Shepparton is famous as the agricultural “food bowl” of Australia, its colourful Moooving Art cow sculptures, and a rich multicultural community.
In town you can Explore this striking modern building by Victoria Park Lake featuring rotating national exhibitions and an extensive ceramics collection, at Shepparton Art Museum.
If you are a motoring enthusiast, a visit to the Museum of Vehicles Evolution is a destination where stories of innovation, design, and transport come to life. Discover iconic motor cars, motorbikes, trucks, buses, and more in an experience that goes beyond the ordinary.
Leaving Shepparton Behind, just an easy drive back home for us.
Closing Notes
The Outback is an absolutely massive place, and it’s one that we think deserves a spot on every traveller’s bucket list. From Broken Hill to Longreach and beyond, this vast red desert is truly magical.
We thoroughly enjoyed the drive in this part of the country. Despite the unusual amount of rain, the Australian Outback received this year, the roads were not as bad as expected.
One of the best things about this trip is, as we build up a list of places we have seen, we are also finding out about places to visit next time. And in a country this big, we have a whole lot of next times to look forward to.
With an off-road camper such as the XTrail which is the perfect companion for an Outback Desert trip this will be a trip to remember.
Safe Travels!
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