Brisbane to Winton road trip: Distance, driving time & attractions
Landsborough Highway attractions
If you’ve got plenty of time heading north, Augathella, Tambo and Blackall are not without appeal, but if pressed, plump for a few hours in Barcaldine. Here, the Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre tells the tale of the 1891 Shearers’ Strike, which changed industrial relations in the country and led to the formation of the Australian Labor Party. There are plenty of other absorbing tales of other workers, too.
The top Barcaldine accommodation option is the solid Barcaldine Country Motor Inn.
Brisbane to Winton road trip: Longreach and Winton
Longreach, though, is the best place to visit in outback Queensland. The Qantas Founders Museum – about Australia’s oldest airline – and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre are properly exceptional attractions. There’s also the chance to take a paddlesteamer cruise along the Thomson River.
4 Longreach experiences to book before you arrive
- Starlights river cruise – take in sunset along the Thomson River aboard a paddlewheeler.
- Cobb & Co stagecoach experience – travel along an outback dirt road pulled by galloping horses.
- Wildlife and woolsheds tour on a double decker bus through Nogo Station.
- Dinosaur-packed day tour to Winton.
Longreach accommodation picks
Longreach offers a surprisingly interesting range of accommodation. The options particularly worthy of consideration are…
- For central location and a pool: Abajaz Motor Inn or Longreach Motor Inn.
- For luxury glamping: Mitchell Grass Retreat.
- For charm and character: Saltbush Retreat.
Winton runs Longreach a pretty close second, however. Australian Age of Dinosaurs delves into the remarkable dinosaur fossils found nearby. Winton also hosts the Waltzing Matilda Centre, which looks at Australia’s national poem, composed by Banjo Paterson nearby.
4 Winton experiences that will make your visit better
- Day tour to Carisbrooke Station and the ancient dino footprints of the Dinosaur Stampede.
- Sunset tour to the outback rock channels of Rangelands Station.
- 3/4 day tour to the Dinosaur Stampede and Merton Gorge.
- Half day tour to the Age of Dinosaurs Museum – or make your own way and visit the fossil preparation laboratory.
Winton accommodation recommendations
Australian hotel specialist Wotif offers accommodation in Winton for from $138 a night. Search the options here.
But the best bets are…
- For best quality: Winton Outback Motel.
- For best value (and a pool): Boulder Opal Motor Inn.
- For families: Hamilton Retreat.
- For heritage: North Gregory Hotel.
Tours from Winton include a day trip to see ancient dinosaur footprints and a trip to Merton Gorge. There’s also a visit to the rugged rock channels of the Rangelands Station and a half day exploring the gorges and mesas of Bladensburg National Park.
More Queensland travel
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