Queensland Southern Outback

Flight Details: Homeport - Brisbane (flight details to be confirmed)

Today we gather at our Homeport airport for our flight to Brisbane. We are met by our Coach Captain and transferred to our hotel for check-in and a refresh before joining our fellow travellers for a Meet and Greet and Welcome Dinner.

Overnight Brisbane: Mercure Hotel, King George Square

Meals: Dinner

Today we set off on our Southern Outback Trail, as we head across to St George for a quick morning tea stop and then onto Yelarbon. On arrival in Yelarbon we see the Graincorp Silo’s named “When the rain comes”. The artwork was created by Jordache Castillejos and Jordon Bruce of Brightsiders and Steve Falco from Procreative. Enjoy lunch at the Oasis Hotel before travelling through Goondiwindi and onto St George for check-in and dinner in the motel.

Overnight St George: Riverland Motor Inn

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Today we visit the Unique Egg, the world’s only display of hand carved, illuminated emu eggs, which have been gifted as far as the White House! Join our local guide for a tour of St George, including a visit to the Anchorage Homestead with morning tea. Afterwards we meet a local cotton farmer and learn about the industry and also pay a visit to Riversands Vineyard, enjoying a tour, wine tastings and lunch. We then return to the motel to freshen up before our pre-dinner sunset cruise on the Balonne River, before returning back to the motel for dinner.

Overnight St George: Riverland Motor Inn

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Departing St George this morning, we continue west via the little town of Bollon and onto Cunnamulla. Here we visit Cunnamulla Hot Springs – an oasis of wellbeing in the heart of the outback. Take the opportunity to soak in the mineral rich artesian pools and enjoy the other amenities available to completely rejuvenate while overlooking the Warrego River. Our next stop is the Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre, enjoy a self-guided tour of the Artesian Time Tunnel, the interactive displays and informative video on how the Artesian Basin was formed. We check in to our accommodation, before our town tour with fourth generation local, Peieta Mills followed by sunset complimentary drink and nibbles. On our tour we see the Cunnamulla Water Tower Art by Guido van Helten, a mural representing the sporting rivalry between Cunnamulla and Charleville. We then enjoy a 3D Sound and Light Spectacular, sit back and relax in our modern theatre as our holographic host, the Station Master - whisks us back in time on a memorable journey to the “end of the line”. We then enjoy an iconic Aussie campfire dinner under the stars and hear more local history and stories.

Overnight Cunnamulla: Club Boutique Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel west to the little town of Eulo, “The Montville of the Outback”, see the opals and jewellery at Telegraph House Gallery, or hand-crafted leather goods at Paroo Patch. We meet Col at the Eulo Queen Hotel for morning tea and hear the history of the Eulo Queen. Continue to Thargomindah for check in to motel and enjoy some lunch with time to wander down to the Bulloo River. We then visit Thargomindah Visitor Information Centre to meet our local guide. Explore the first town in Australia, and the third in the world to produce hydro-electric power for street lighting. We also take in a tour and demonstration of the original Artesian Hydro Power Plant. Late afternoon we return to watch the spectacular outback sunset, before returning to the motel for a lovely dinner.

Overnight Thargomindah: Oasis Mote

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We head off early today and drive along the Cooper Developmental Road, making a slight deviation for morning tea at the historic Noccundra Hotel. The beautiful sandstone walls of the 1882 construction, were quarried in New South Wales and transported by camel train to its present location. From here continue to Eromanga, home of the state of the art Eromanga Natural History Museum, enjoy lunch followed by a one hour tour of the laboratory and collection centre. Meet Cooper and George the Titanosaur Sauropods, the largest dinosaurs to have ever been found in Australia. The next township in the channel country is Quilpie, home of the Boulder Opal. Settle into our motel before enjoying dinner at The Lake, a working cattle and sheep station while watching a magnificent sunset.

Overnight Quilpie: Quilpie Motor Inn

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning we visit the Quilpie Information Centre and Gallery where our guide boards the coach for a town tour. Discover the unique history and landscapes of the town, including Baldy Top Lookout, St Finbarrs Opal Altar and Quilpie Airport’s mini museum where we learn about Amy Johnson, the first women to fly solo from London to Australia. Returning to town we visit celebrated artist, Lyn Barnes at her boutique art gallery. Enjoy lunch, a painting demonstration, view her latest work and discover her unique connection to the outback. Travel to Charleville for our town tour including Charleville Water Tower Art by Guido van Helten, featuring the sporting youth of the area, then visit USAAF top Secret Sites, the Cosmos interpretive Centre and join the Big Sky Twilight Tour. See the night sky through the powerful telescopes and learn from the experienced Sky Guides, before returning to the motel for dinner.

Overnight Charleville: Mulga Country Motor Inn

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning we enjoy a visit to the Outback Date Farm and learn about the industry, followed by morning tea. Our next stop is at the heritage listed Hotel Corones. Learn about the history dating back to 1929, during Charleville’s wool industry boom and the story of local character Harry Corones. Enjoy lunch before a visit to the Charleville Bilby Experience, to see the Bilbies in their nocturnal house and learn about the successful breeding and release program.

Overnight Charleville: Mulga Country Motor Inn

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We travel onto Roma today, with a morning tea stop at Mitchell, and an optional visit to the Great Artesian Spa, as the locals say, a soak in their mineralised water is relaxing for the body and therapeutic for the soul. We continue to Roma, the heart of beef country, enjoy a tour of the town and hear about the colourful history and characters of Roma. Discover Heroes Avenue, the Roma Bush Gardens and the Biggest Bottle Tree. Time to check in at our motel, and then transfer to the Roma Visitor Information Centre. We join our Roma Rigger guide to celebrate the triumphs of our pioneering oil and gas industries. See the towering (EMSCO) 1920’s steam-driven rig, listen to captivating stories and toast the sunset with a delicious regional port, before taking our seats for the Sound and Light Show. We return to the motel and enjoy dinner after another wonderful day of touring.

Overnight Roma: Roma Explorers Inn

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Our journey today travels via the country towns of Miles, Chinchilla, Dalby and Toowoomba. We stop for lunch enroute before arriving back into Brisbane late afternoon for check-in at the hotel. As we enjoy our Farewell dinner, we can reflect on the experiences and sights we have seen on the Southern Queensland Outback Tour with Trade Travel.

Overnight Brisbane: Mercure Hotel, King George Square

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner