Queensland’s Outback Heritage & Oasis Gardens

Depart Brisbane this morning for our flight to Longreach. Arrive in Longreach this afternoon in the heart of the Queensland outback. Take an orientation tour before enjoying free time to look around town. Check into your boutique accommodation, inspired by the style of the pioneer era and the stagecoach journeys that linked Longreach with the outside world. Enjoy a special Welcome Dinner tonight.

On our way to Winton, visit a working sheep and cattle station nestled in the heart of outback Queensland. After lunch we continue towards Winton, which is known as the dinosaur capital of Australia and the birthplace of our national song, ‘Waltzing Matilda’. We will be on the lookout for wildflowers blooming after the winter rains. While here, we also Museum, which houses the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils.

This morning, visit the spectacular Lark Quarry to see the world’s only record of a dinosaur ‘stampede’. The landscape of this region was formed over millions of years, as the ancient rocks known as the Winton Formation have been eroded into a striking landscape of flat-topped hills; gullies; and steep, broken escarpments. This afternoon, visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, which tells the story of the song, as well as Winton and the outback region. We see the site of the last Chinese market garden in western Queensland, and also look upon the whimsical fence, before returning to our hotel.

Today we make our way to a working station. Meet the owners and learn about life on the land. We then travel to the town of Barcaldine, known as the ‘Garden City of the West’. It is home to the Tree of Knowledge, the reputed birthplace of the labour movement in Australia. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the town, where every street is named after a tree.

Visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, which is spread across two hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding a tranquil billabong. The centre presents a rich tapestry of exhibits capturing the spirit of our nation's workers. Afterwards we will travel to Blackall and enjoy lunch at its 110-year-old lodge. Meet the owners, who will take you on a private tour of their garden. Dinner will be at a local restaurant this evening.

This morning, visit a private garden in town. On our way back to Longreach, enjoy a stop in Ilfracombe to see an incredible display of machinery along the ‘Miracle Mile of Motors’. On arrival in Longreach, we enjoy lunch at The Drovers Place, a sandstone cottage built by the legendary RM Williams. Enjoy free time to relax at our boutique accommodation, Saltbush Retreat, which has been created to reflect the unique textures and tones of outback Queensland. This evening, watch the colours of the Outback come to life during a sunset cruise on the Thomson River. Enjoy a camp-oven-themed dinner on the banks of the river while marvelling at the stars overhead.

Today we visit the Stockman’s Hall of Fame to learn about our pioneering history, and we see the live show to learn more about the traditional skills of the stockmen. This afternoon we will visit a small private garden in town and meet the owners. Tonight enjoy farewell sunset drinks followed by a BBQ dinner in an immersive outback setting.

This morning, explore the Qantas Founders Museum, which tells the story of Australia’s national airline, from its early days in outback Queensland to the present day. We then return to Longreach Airport for our flight to Brisbane.