5 days driving the Adventure Way in Outback Queensland

Day 1: Brisbane to Dalby (210km / 2hr 40m)

Kick things off with a climb over the Great Dividing Range to Toowoomba, the Garden City of Queensland. This leg is perfect for easing into Outback life, you’ll swap urban bustle for garden strolls, artisan coffee, and your first taste of regional history.

Things to do in Toowoomba:

• Queens Park – Picnic in the lush gardens or grab takeaway coffee from Baker’s Duck or Ground Up Espresso.

• Laneway Art – Colourful murals and street art worth a wander.

• Jondaryan Woolshed – (Bookings only) The largest working woolshed in the world, rich with pioneering history.

Now that you’ve had your first teaser of Adventure Way’s history, travel 82km west to Dalby, where fields of wheat, cotton and sunflowers prove Australia really is a country of green and gold.

Where to stay in Dalby:

• Jubri’s Hideaway – Boutique cabins and a secluded guesthouse.
• Dalby Tourist Park – Cabins, caravan sites, and a short walk to restaurants.
• Lake Broadwater Conservation Park – Bush camping under a star-filled sky.

Day 2: Dalby to St George (303km / 3hr 30m)

Start your day with breakfast at Urban Paddock Café, then head to the Dalby Saleyards (Wed only, April–October) to see one of Australia’s biggest cattle markets in action.

En route highlights: You can't pass up a stop at these tiny outback towns with classic country charm, Moonie and Westmar.

Things to do in St George:

• Balonne River – Cast a line for cod or stroll the shaded Riverbank Walkway.

• The Unique Egg – See the world’s only display of illuminated carved emu eggs.

• Heritage Trail – Step through the town’s past on foot.

• Nearby: Thallon silo art, a local vineyard, and historic country pubs.

Where to stay in St George:

• Pelican Rest Tourist Park – Modern cabins, camping, and caravanning surrounded by native bushland.
• St George River Front Tourist Park - Powered and unpowered sites with a fire pit ( a great spot for fishing enthusiasts).

Day 3: St George to Cunnamulla (295km / 3hr 30m)

Watch the landscape transform as you roll from black-soil country into the red-dirt heart of Outback Queensland. Cunnamulla is your gateway to authentic country hospitality, expansive skies, and a diverse range of outback experiences.

Things to do in Cunnamulla:

• Cunnamulla Fella Statue – A nod to Slim Dusty’s song.

• Out The Back Tours – Sheep shearing, kayaking, sandboarding, camp oven dinners, and sunset cruises.

• Cunnamulla All Aboard – Immersive sound and light show at the railway station.

• Events: Cunnamulla Fella Festival, Music in the Mulga.

Where to stay in Cunnamulla:

• Charlotte Plains – Famous for its outdoor artesian baths.

• Cunnamulla Tourist Park – Camping and cabins close to town.

• Club Boutique Hotel – Glamping, hotel suites, and hearty country dining.

Must do unique experience: Cunnamulla Hot Springs – A riverfront wellness precinct with artesian-heated plunge pools.

Day 4: Cunnamulla to Thargomindah (196km / 2hr 10m)

You are now entering mulga country, where tall native trees line the highway and the occasional kangaroo or emu makes an appearance. Eulo is your halfway stop, famous for its outback spa treatments.

Things to do in Eulo and Thargomindah:

• Eulo Artesian Mud Baths – Relax and soak in mineral-rich mud.

• Five Mile Waterhole – Fishing, yabbying, and birdwatching.

• Lake Bindegolly National Park – Spot wetland bird species.

• Old Thargomindah Hospital and Leahy Historical House – Step into the town’s 19th-century history.

Where to stay in Thargomindah:

• Oasis Motel – Comfortable rooms close to town.

• Explorers Caravan Park – Camp, cabins, or bunkhouse stays with river access.

Day 5: Thargomindah to Innamincka (413km / 10hr 30m)

The final stretch is long but unforgettable. Cross the South Australian border into one of the most remote towns in the country, population: 21.

Must-stops on the way:

• Noccundra Hotel – A stone-built pub pouring since 1886.

• The Dig Tree – An iconic Burke and Wills expedition site.

Where to stay in Innamincka:

• Town Common Campgrounds – Riverside camping under endless stars.

• Innamincka Hotel – Eco-conscious accommodation with hearty pub meals.

Return tip: Loop back to Brisbane via the Birdsville Track for another legendary Outback route.

Adventure Way Travel Tips

• Check Queensland road conditions before you travel.

• Carry extra water, fuel, and supplies.

• Book ahead during festivals or school holidays.

• Pack both warm layers and sun protection, outback weather can swing fast.