Drive Tourism The Muttaburrasaurus Byway — Travelling Safely History Barcaldine to Longreach via Aramac and One of the best ways to get around the Muttaburra. Only selected major roads and highways Many early expeditions made important Sunmap Regional Map is to follow a themed highway are sealed in the outback. Check with the discoveries such as the presence of gold route. These also include routes from the The Byway — RACQ as to local road conditions, and other minerals, rivers and grazing east coast out to Charleville, Barcaldine, Longreach to Boulia via Jundah, especially in the wet season. lands. Others ended in tragedy. as well as the Ancient Outback tour Windorah, and Bedourie. Department of Natural Resources and Mines Outback summers are hot but much less Head Office: itinery from . Other outback Leichhardt Cnr Main & Vulture Sts, Woolloongabba, Marine Fossil Byway — Winton to humid than on the coast. Storms and Locked Bag 40, Coorparoo Delivery Centre, Qld. 4151 themed routes are listed below. Dr Ludwig Leichhardt led a successful Richmond. minor flooding in the wetter summer Ph (07) 3896 3216, Fax (07) 3896 3510 For more detailed information visit: expedition from the to months can cause delays in travel, part of www.driveqld.com.au Dinosaur Way — Hughenden to Winton. in the For all your regional and recreational map needs, Sunmap products are the adventure of the outback. available from Departmental service centres, distributors and selected Outback Way - from Winton travelling Min Min Byway — Winton to Mount Isa in 1844. His second expedition to Large vehicles, such as road trains must retailers throughout or the west to towards Alice Springs via the via Boulia. outback Queensland in 1846 was Bookshop at: www.publications.qld.gov.auœ be approached with caution. Pull over . For those wanting to abandoned when most of the party Swagmans Byway — Winton to Kynuna and allow the vehicle to pass. To view the complete range of products and services, visit our home get off the beaten track. became ill. He set out again in 1848, but  œ via Combo Waterhole. disappeared without a trace. page at: www.nrm.qld.gov.au Stock and wild animals often roam freely Matilda Highway — a fully sealed The Kenniff Byway — Augathella to on the roadside — slow down whenever network of highways and major roads Burke and Wills Mitchell via Morven. they are seen. linking the border Burke and Wills led one of ’s south of , north to Karumba The Wilderness Way — the Tambo end of Mobile phones will not work in the more most famous expeditions which set out in the . the Dawson Developmental Road. remote regions. Two-way (CB) radios or in August 1860 to cross the continent satellite phones should be carried for The Overlander’s Way — from Townsville from south to north. A depot was By Rail emergency use. established at , and Burke Weipa west to Tennant Creek in the Northern Road Distances from Brisbane For those seeking Traveltrain holidays, and Wills, with King and Gray, Charleville – 747km Territory, via Hughenden, Richmond, Adequate water, fuel, spares, first aid kit three major train services reach the continued north, reaching the Gulf of Longreach – 1 181km Cloncurrry, Mount Isa and . and tools should also be carried in your outback from the east coast. The Mt Isa – 1 828km vehicle. Always inform local police in Carpentaria on February 11, 1861. Then The — Dalby to Westlander travels from Brisbane via advance of your travel plans when in they set out on a desperate return Innaminka () via and Roma to Charleville. journey to find that the backup party Atherton remote regions. If you break down or Innisfail Cunnamulla. The Spirit of the Outback travels from (after waiting a month longer than become stranded, stay with your vehicle. Brisbane to Longreach via , Georgetown Outback — Via Charters Towers It will be easier for rescuers to locate you instructed), had left the Cooper Creek Townsville Emerald and Barcaldine, with a Motorail depot on the morning of the day they Ayr Queensland south to Emerald, Roma, Dirranbandi and quickly, if necessary. Charters Towers service. The Inlander travels from arrived. N.T. Mount Cloncurry Hughenden into New South Wales. Isa Townsville to Mount Isa via Charters Many outback towns have vehicle Mackay Instructions left on the “dig tree” led Moranbah Towers, Hughenden and Cloncurry. washdown facilities. For locations, visit: Boulia Winton them to buried provisions, but with no As well as the above routes and the Bookings are essential and can be made www.nrm.qld.gov.au/pests/weeds/weed_ Longreach Emerald Rockhampton hope of catching up with the backup Queensland Heritage Trails Network with through Queensland Rail or travel agents. spread/washdown/. Blackall Biloela party, their fate was sealed. Gray died Tambo its attractions, there are many other local on the return journey, Wills died on June Birdsville tourist routes to explore. For information 29 and Burke on July 1. Only King, Charleville Roma Miles Nambour on those listed below, contact the local befriended by aborigines, survived. BRISBANE Toowoomba tourist information centre. Cunnamulla Gold S.A. Goondiwindi Coast The Opal Byway — Charleville to the Mitchell, Gregory and Landsborough N.S.W. Adventure Way via Quilpie, Toompine to were other explorers who left their mark Yowah. in the outback. Sir Thomas Mitchell discovered the during his The Outer Barcoo Byway — Blackall to 1845–46 expedition, Sir Augustus Longreach via Isisford and Ilfracombe. Gregory explored further west into Sturt Produced and published by Land Information and Titles Stony Desert and William Landsborough Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water explored the area around Winton and Queensland Government ISBN 1 7417 2260 8 traced the to its source. Edition 6, September 2006 The Attractions of QUEENSLAND Approach road trains with caution when driving Photography courtesy of the Outback Tourism Queensland By following the Queensland Heritage Centre Map 5 Sunmap Queensland Series Cover photograph: Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton 9 311662 085269 Trails Network, it is easy to explore the The Waltzing Matilda Centre is the only featuring displays and Edition 6, September 2006 colourful and inspiring history of the centre in the world dedicated to the exhibitions in recreated outback. The network links together the national verse. Winton is the home of historical precincts. Learn Welcome to — following authentic heritage attractions Waltzing Matilda, which some say is about the Great Shearers’ Charleville and Mount Isa. Both these with contempory and historic local themes. Australia’s unofficial national anthem. Strike and the birth of the centres also have their own museums Flora Australian labour and visitor facilities. The lack of water and its unpredictable movement beneath the arrival is a critical factor determining the Outback Queensland Tree of Knowledge. Schools of Distance Education life in the arid and semi-arid areas. Native Formerly known as ‘Schools of the Air’, Lark Quarry Dinosaur plants and animals have adapted over a Queensland’s outback gives you the First impressions are often of a dry, these operate out of Charleville, Longreach Trackways long period to cope with extremes in opportunity to follow the footsteps of inhospitable landscape, however after and Mount Isa. They provide education This is believed to be the climate in the outback. early pioneers, see the legends of visiting the bush communities and for pupils up to grade 10 in remote areas world’s only known Travelling toward the west, the vegetation Waltzing Matilda, and find the origins of meeting its colourful characters, you will throughout the region by means of Qantas and Australian aviation. find the outback transforms into one of fossilised evidence of a changes gradually. Plant species change Marine fossil museum, Richmond internet, telephone or HF radio. the most hospitable experiences you will dinosaur stampede. Set in and height decreases — tall trees become spectacular outback country south-west Stretching from the New South Wales ever have. Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond shrubs. Coolibah and river red gums line border north to the and of Winton, Lark Quarry has a visitors the watercourses and waterholes It is easy to plan your travel within the Centred around the 4.25 metre Richmond out to the State’s western borders, the interpretive centre and walking trails. throughout the area. These form trailing outback. The outback is divided into Pliosaur vertebrate fossil, this modern Queensland outback is truly awe- patterns across the land which are easily three major tourist regions: the South Charleville Cosmos Centre display centre also contains a world- Precious Water inspiring. seen from the air. Vast expanses of other West, the Central West and the North An astronomical observatory has been renowned display of over 200 marine The Great Artesian Basin acacias, gidgee and mulga, dominate the The timeless landscape of the vast West, each with its unique natural and established at Charleville Airport to fossil exhibits and the best-preserved This huge underground reservoir covers southern and central areas. The shrub cater for the increasing interest in the dinosaur skeleton in Australia. Queensland outback offers amazing cultural heritage for you to explore. Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach more than a million square kilometres. outback’s clear, unpolluted skies. Four layer of these areas is comprised mainly of natural diversity in what some describe Many tours are available from the major There are many other attractions The first bore was drilled at Blackall in Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame telescopes provide visitors with views turkey bush, casssia and saltbush. as the “last frontier’’. Marvel at ancient outback towns, with accommodation to It was at the North Gregory Hotel in 1895 throughout the Outback listed on the 1885 and today there are more than The Stockman’s Hall of Fame at of the brilliant terrestrial show in the Further north around Longreach are the dinosaur footprints, see the glory of suit all tastes. that Banjo Paterson first performed his other side of this map which are easily 2000 bores supplying Outback brilliant wildflower blooms, stay at a Longreach brings together the very best night sky. Queensland with free hot water. sweeping Mitchell grass plains, the natural The most temperate weather occurs verse in public, and in a lasting tribute to accessible. working , or enjoy a drink of Australia’s outback heritage in a habitat of the red kangaroo. In the far between April and October (8–32˚C). location easily reached by road, rail and this heritage, the centre was built. Outback at Isa Explorers’ Park The temperature of the water supplied at one of the many historic pubs of the A 15 metre underground recreated mine west, spinifex hummocky grasslands Wearing a broad-brimmed hat and air. The Hall of Fame not only honours Shire Hall, Cloncurry usually depends on the depth of the bore. outback. makes the dramatic world of dominate the landscape. sunscreen is advised when outdoors the explorers and early settlers who This beautiful building was upgraded to Bore water comes from hundreds of underground mining more accessible. The Remote Outback year-round in the outback. opened up the inland, but also pays become a community centre and gallery. metres below ground and surfaces at a The centre also has mining industry The Flying Doctor tribute to aboriginal workers and people The history of Cloncurry is displayed in temperature of up to 99.9° Celsius. The interactive displays, aboriginal and The Royal Flying Doctor Service of of the land who helped record the history the library annex of the building. hottest artesian bore in Australia is at Australia was established by Reverend The Regions and lifestyle of inland Australia. heritage displays. The world heritage- Birdsville. Qantas Founders Outback Museum John Flynn in 1928. Reverend Flynn The South West Basin, is rich in natural gas and oil listed Riversleigh fossil display centre The Hall of Fame concept originated in The Queensland and Northern Territory joined the two fledgling industries, radio The water is also used to water stock. This region covers the Channel Country deposits which are piped east. adjoins the complex. 1974. It was the vision of well respected Aerial Service (QANTAS) was founded in and aviation, with medicine to provide a On the outback’s enormous properties, and extends from Mitchell west to the The Big Rig, Roma Thargomindah was the first town in Australian outback artist Hugh Sawrey. 1920 with a registered office in Winton. “mantle of safety” for those attempting to drains up to 40 kilometres long have sparse desert areas adjoining the South This fascinating attraction pays tribute to Australia to have hydro-electric power He had a desire to create a national tribute The first shareholders’ meeting was held settle and raise families in isolated been dug to channel the supply. Australia - Queensland border. Its major the oil and gas industry around Roma generation, thanks to the plentiful to the people who braved and challenged in Longreach in the same year. Outback areas. centre is Charleville, where you can view The Great Artesian Spa is located at artesian bore water which powered the the unknown outback of Australia. Recent and features two historic oil rigs dating the magnificent night sky, discover the In 1922, the first regular air mail and To commemorate this event, an Mitchell. It features two large pools of generators. upgrades have further enhanced the from 1929. Machinery and interactive age of Cobb and Co, the origins of the passenger service began operating interpretive centre, the John Flynn Place, artesian water to relax in and enjoy their Massive stoney outcrop rises above the centre. This is a huge display, so allow displays provide an insight to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and between Charleville and Cloncurry and was opened in Cloncurry in 1988. The theraputic benefits in landscaped plains west of Winton several hours to explore the centre. petroluem industry in Queensland. participate in the biggest school without The Channel Country the airline’s head office was moved to Service’s bases also are located at surroundings. Blackall Woolscour a classroom in the outback — the School The far south-west of outback Longreach. QANTAS emerged into The seemingly endless rows of parallel red Australia’s only remaining steam-driven of Distance Education. Queensland is known as the Channel international air travel with its first sand dunes, which characterise the far woolscour has been lovingly restored to Country because of the extensive overseas flight in 1934. south-west corner and the Just west of Cunnamulla is Eulo, where network of channels carved into the working order in Blackall. Local guides region, support a variety of short-living the World Championship Lizard Races The original mainenance hangar at landscape by the tributaries of the provide interesting commentary on its herbs, shrubs and canegrass. The are held every year. There are opal fields Longreach airport is now restored, and Diamantina, Thomson and Barcoo Rivers workings and past. interdune areas often contain groves of and mud springs which bubble up from forms the hub of a new Qantas Outback which drain with Cooper Creek into Lake Dogwood Crossing @ Miles georgina gidgee. the Great Artesian Basin. Founders Museum. An exhibition hall Eyre in South Australia. Here is a cultural centre providing an and even a retired jumbo jet form part of After winter rains, short-living plants burst In the far south-west corner is Birdsville, experience of life in a country town, Normally all these rivers are dry, but the display. into flower and carpet the ground with home of the annual horse races which when the dry spell ends, the rivers flood using the latest multimedia technology. masses of pink, purple and yellow. have been held for over a century. Australian Workers Heritage Centre their banks and the Channel Country Stories of the land and people, their Birdsville is also the gateway to the Located at Barcaldine, this is a tribute to comes alive. Within 24 hours, the “dead history, present day lives and aspirations formidable Simpson Desert National Park. Australia’s working men and women, can be found, as well as an art gallery. heart” turns green, water birds and Display in the QANTAS Founders Outback Museum Remoteness of Elderslie Station ruins The town’s population of 100 is boosted animals appear, eggs laid by waterlife in by several thousand in September each the last “wet” hatch and rare plants Fauna year during the annual Birdsville race bloom. Tennant Creek – GULF OF Gilbert G Mossman water and wheel through the sky in Darwin 1000km GREAT meeting. The event has become a major CARPENTARIA Many visitors to can unison — spectacular to see, but next to 1 G The Channel Country’s hour of glory is Karumba # Cairns STUAR G attraction on the outback calendar. # Einasleigh Access Routes to be excused for concluding that besides impossible to photograph well. all too brief. Gradually, the waters dry R G G Normanton HWY Nicholson ± T Burketown G Innisfail kangaroos and emus, the region has next The area between Birsdville and up and the whole region returns to desert R N Outback Queensland GULF 260 BRUCE Birds of prey are prolific in the 1 to no wildlife. However, there is a great once more — until the next rains. 83 448 Road distances in Km: ##135 Thargomindah, known as the Cooper DEV KENNEDY outback. Brown falcons perch on dead 87 R Norman G RD # diversity of wildlife in the west, provided RD Forsayth R 350 trees near roadsides, and black kites Gregory Flinders Leichhardt 374 G 0 200 400 you know when and where to look for it. RD BARKL Ingham (formerly known as fork-tailed kites) #G R BARRIER Tennant Creek Bur The wildlife struggles against severe Y GREGORY KILOMETRES dekin wheel incessantly over many Camooweal DEV

G Townsville seasonal variations and survival often

R HWY 672 #G R settlements waiting for the chance to HWY 135 Charters G Ayr depends on a nomadic existence. In this

‰ DEV feed. Wedge-tailed eagles soar higher, Š BURKE Towers Cloncurry Drive Tourism Routes mostly dry area, the occurrence of rain is # 83 FLINDERS G Bowen Mount Isa G G Richmond HWY # HWY G but come to ground for carrion. The 520 117 # G 245 Whitsunday CORAL SEA the key factor in the propagation of 396 # R HWY RD DEV 73 LANDSB ‹ G Group Pacific Coast nankeen kestrel is another distinctive # G Proserpine 845 Hughenden R Touring Route plants and animals. 87 Georgina OROUGH348 hunter found in this area. SANDOVER G Dajarra REEF 83 215 258 Matilda Highway The outback is the home of the red 222 KENNEDY G Mackay kangaroo, featured on Australia’s coat of HWY R DEV RD ando Overlander’s Way # RD 482 PLENTY DEV355 G Winton arms and known as the kangaroo of the 803 Bely BouliaG ‡ # KENNEDY 725 plains. Alert motorists may see adult

R HWY Great Inland Way BRUCE # G Alice Springs ˆ male reds standing erect on their hind legs G 281 GREGORY 221 „ Lark LongreachG with tail support in a challenge-like DIAMANTINA R Quarry # Barcaldine † G Country Way 83 CP 304 Emerald # behaviour. The female red kangaroo Bedourie R CAPRICORN G #

G DIAMANTINA HWY G Rockhampton (known as the blue flier) is able to produce

# Diamantina 264 STUAR HWY RD LANDSBOROUGH HWY Blackall G Dawson young in rapid succession in good Barcoo DA 145 Thomson Gladstone

268 ƒ WSON G Outback Way

T CARNARVON HWY DEV conditions. However, during severe SIMPSON DESERT 168 G 408 # # Yaraka BURNETT ILL RD G droughts, she elects not to breed to 450 Poeppel IRDSV E DEV DEV EYRE B G Windorah Corner Birdsville # 162 G# 114 Betoota R 397 maximise her chance of survival. The Rock wallaby R Bundaberg 280 BRUCE NATIONAL Haddon Corner G Adventure Way A87 Ck large dark macropod called a wallaroo also

LEICHHARDT Fraser HWY HWY 579 The bearded dragons, lizards and goannas ‚ Island 302 560 HWY inhabits this area. The other half of the # 646 Charleville G Maryborough are prominent reptiles. By night, a RD G WARREGO HWY Open and often treeless landscape of the outback TRACK # HWY OODNADATTA G Australian coat of arms, the emu, is also STURT STONY Quilpie 71 265 spotlight helps pick up a range of DESERT G Oodnadatta 250 G # HWY common here, seen mostly in flocks of up R Roma Miles GGympie 199 #G geckoes seeking their insect food, or a 518

The Central West Innamincka G # Bulloo R G to a dozen or so. When startled, the emu HWY Sunshine Coast

# Cooper HWY 126 SOUTH TIRARI 320 195 large barn owl may swoop past in a rush STRZELECKI R Dalby The Central West is known as Matilda woolscour is the only remaining working 623 BULLOO 126 runs quite fast, but in an clumsy way. Lake G G 17 DESERT DESERT BALONNE 182 of feathers and air as it hunts. To see the Eyre BIRDSVILLE Thargomindah DEV RD HWY # Country and much of the outback’s example in the country. Tours are G HWY CARNARVON HWY 110 Lake # 294 # MOONIE Moonie G 32 Gregory TRACK Cunnamulla # G # # native mouse as it forages demands more TRACK G Toowoomba I history can be found in this region. The available. Queensland’s first artesian G Coober Pedy Lake St George 181 G BRISBANE PACIFIC Blanche Cameron Corner Ipswich patience. DirranbandiG Balonne 94 130 major regional centres of Barcaldine, bore was drilled here in 1885. 199 15 HWY MITCHELL # Lake R G 42 G Warwick G Gold Coast 455 Callabonna 239 Goondiwindi # The region is also noted for two of Longreach, Winton and Blackall tell G CASTLEREAGH On nearby Alice Downs station in 1892, # Marree R STUAR CUNNINGHAMG 1 597 HWY Stanthorpe OCEAN Australia’s rare species of fauna. The incredible historical stories of outback 79 124 Cape Byron legendary shearer Jackie Howe set his Culgoa Macintyre 773 HWYG T Lyndhurst heritage. G 465 G Ballina escarpments of the Grey and Gowan # Warrego NATIONAL Lake Moree # shearing record of 321 sheep in one day Lake STRZELECKI HWY A87 Paroo Bourke Torrens Frome G Ranges are the known habitats of the — a record never eclipsed and one which HWY Walgett G G The shearers’ strike in 1891 at Barcaldine MITCHELL 39 G Woomera R Glen Innes Grafton yellow-footed rock wallaby. This gave birth to the famous workers’ singlet, G Namoi led to the formation of the Australian 700 TASMAN Ceduna – G medium sized wallaby eats herbs and 300 Macquarie Pilliga 376 1936 km R

Labour Party. A tribute to the spirit of the “Jackie Howe”. 71 G HWY NEWELL Lake Gairdner HWY Coffs Harbour # CITY short grasses. Feral goats compete for HWY 825 these workers and their achievements is GCeduna # 32 # EYRE G 585 G G Boulia was first settled in 1876 as a 32 39 1 food, so the yellow-foot’s range and # Broken Hill Nyngan 32 166 34 Tamworth showcased at the Australian Workers Port Augusta G BARRIER service centre and outpost for local 471 510 79 R numbers have been restricted. HWY G Heritage Centre. Port Macquarie Heritage Trails Network A Brolga in flight graziers. It is located on the Burke River Port VER Dubbo HWY G 300 G PACIFIC NEW SIL # One of Australia’s unique desert fringe Whyalla GPirie Darling 1 Charleville Cosmos Centre There is plenty to see in Longreach — the which is named after the famous SEA 15 2 Blackall Woolscour The seed-eating birds, corellas and animals, the bilby or rabbit-eared 1 Stockman’s Hall of Fame will keep explorers Burke and Wills, who filled R 3 Australian Workers Heritage Centre 316 32 HWY galahs, are found throughout the region. bandicoot, is found in restricted parts of visitors enthralled for hours. At the their waterbags here in 1860 on their trek GREAT Murray 415 #G 4 Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame R Bathurst 171 Newcastle SPENCER NATIONAL Mildura 39 G Their location depends on seasonal this region. Research continues into its A20 G 395 Longreach airport is the Qantas Founders to the Gulf. In 1948, Boulia was the AUSTRALIAN 395 5 Qantas Founders Outback Museum STURT HWY # Lachlan conditions. This area is also the natural habits, habitats, population and range, G GULF # 6 Waltzing Matilda Centre

Port Lincoln CALDER 32 Outback Museum. View the first aircraft departure point for the first to BIGHT Murrumbidgee I I SYDNEY 7 Lark Quarry Conservation Park home of the budgerigar, which is now with protected breeding areas now # HWY and even a 747 Jumbo Jet used by travel on Australian roads. STURT 463 20 # GMurray Bridge G 8 Cloncurry Shire Hall often considered a caged pet bird. The established. Intense grazing over the last Narrandera 419 HWY Qantas. The restored original DUKES 144 HWY G Wolloongong Today, the small town boasts many R 9 Outback @ Isa Murray G 31 wild “budgie” has all green plumage. century may have affected the numbers Kangaroo NEWELL 288 maintenance hangar from 1922 is part of NATIONAL Wagga Wagga # 10 Kronosaurus Korner modern facilities and is an important Island A79 39 # I 1 Adelaide – PRINCES Sydney – Flocks of several thousand birds can rise of this small carnivore. 8 HWY the exhibit. HUME 23 oasis surrounded by spectacular, harsh HWY R CANBERRA Melbourne 728 km # 31 1045 km as one in flight from a large pool of Heading north, Winton is the home of country. The Stone House in Pituri Street G Waltzing Matilda — where Banjo Paterson is the town’s oldest home. Built in 1880, first recited the famous verse — and also many of the materials had to be the official birthplace of Qantas. The transported hundreds of kilometres. It is Major Events Outback Activities Gem mining and fossicking Visitors must contact the ranger at Waltzing Matilda Centre is the world’s now a museum. Outback Queensland is a gem-fossicker’s Tibooburra — (08) 8091 3308, before There are more than 100 events scheduled Fishing delight. A belt of opal-bearing deposits entering Sturt National Park. only tourist attraction dedicated to a song Boulia Shire is also known as Min Min in the outback over the coming year or The outback is renowned as one of extends more than 1 000 kilometres from and features tributes to the swaggies, the country after the mysterious, unexplained To travel through or camp in South two. These range from rodeos and lizard Queensland’s better freshwater fishing the Queensland-New South Wales border itinerent workers of that era and the “Min Min Light” This light, similar in Australia’s national parks, a Desert Parks races to opera concerts and art shows. areas. Throw a line into one of north to Kynuna. Other gemstones found hardships of the early outback life. size and intensity to a car headlight, is Pass is required. Queensland’s western rivers and you’re in the Queensland outback include agate, reported to float slowly just above the Contact South Australia’s Environment South-west of Winton is the unique Lark For a complete events calendar with bound to catch something. chalcedony, carnelian and quartz crystal. ground, following travellers at night and Heritage Dept. — 1800 816 078 or Quarry Dinosaur Trackway, the only contact details, visit: before suddenly disappearing. The first Rivers in this part of the State abound Old-time prospectors say that the visit their web site: fossilised dinosaur stampede in the world. www.queenslandholidays.com.au/outback/ recorded sighting was in 1912 at with the mighty murray cod, silver perch presence of a red-trunked tree known as www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/ An interpretive centre is on site and tours and click on the events page. can be booked in Winton. Hamilton, near where the old Min Min and golden perch — commonly known as the “minnaritchi” indicates opal country. Hotel once stood. The Min Min the yellowbelly. Yabbies or worms are Red sand dunes west of Windorah The main opal fields are Davenport– Blackall is the location of the historic Encounter complex in Boulia explains usually the bait to use, but to be sure, Palpara, Eromanga, Jundah, Koroit, National Parks Currawinya National Park, south-west of Woolscour, built in 1906. Still in good more on this phenomenon. seek local advice on the best fishing spots Kyabra, Kynuna, Opalton, Quilpie, National parks can often be fragile, Cunnamulla, is a semi arid park established condition, this massive steam-driven and the right bait. Toompine, Yaraka and Yowah. Varieties special places. They are created to to protect the area’s freshwater lakes and is Fishing in National Parks is usually not of the gem are found here, including protect a unique natural environment. an important refuge for inland birdlife. allowed, however some permits are boulder, seam and matrix opal. The rare Your understanding and help in Because it is such a remote park with no issued. Check with the local Queensland form of opal mined at Yowah is known conserving these special places is facilities, visitors should be well prepared Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) office as an opal nut. Yowah opals have an essential. Remember that everything is with enough food and water and a vehicle for advice. opal heart surrounded by an ironstone protected. Lighting of open fires is in good condition. Leave personal details shell and can measure up to five prohibited. Leave your pets at home and with the local police at Hungerford or Eulo. Bird Watching centimetres in circumference. take your rubbish with you when you Contact the QPWS ranger in Cunnamulla — It surprises many visitors to the Outback leave a park. Permits are required to (07) 4655 4001. Mining and fossicking is controlled under to find the prolific birdlife, even in the enter some parks (available from the Dingo fence west of Winton various legislative acts, and you should Lake Bindegolly National Park, east of most inhospitable areas. Many national QPWS). check with authorities before entering Thargomindah, has a chain of three lakes parks throughout the region are excellent onto properties for this purpose. There are numerous national parks and an important breeding habitat for SUNMAP QUEENSLAND SERIES locations for bird watching. throughout the outback region. The waterbirds. Vehicles are not allowed in the 1 Queensland The vast size of the Outback means that environment they preserve is varied — park. Contact the QPWS ranger in there are many species of birds breeding, from wetlands to sandy deserts. You will Thargomindah — (07) 4655 3173. 2 South-East Queensland transiting or living permanently in the find a vast array of colour, flora and Diamantina National Park covers a vast 3 North Queensland natural surroundings. You will find fauna in these parks. Major national area of the Channel Country south-west of 4 Central Queensland Opera in the outback everything from waders to raptors, parks are listed below. Winton. Seasonal lakes with coolibahs 5 Outback Queensland parrots to ground dwellers, honeyeaters The Simpson Desert National Park, at and red river gums line the banks of the to doves, owls and emus. QPWS offices 6 Gulf Savannah over 1,000,000 hectares, is the largest in meandering Diamantina and Mayne have details on local birdwatching in the the State. The parallel sand dunes run in Rivers. Contact the QPWS ranger in Tourist Information Outback. Visit: www.epa.qld.gov.au a north-north-west / south-south-east Winton — (07) 4657 3024. Tourist information is available from: Fossicking underground at Rubyvale direction. They are about 200 metres For more information on the Queensland Main street of historic Winton The Outback Queensland Tourism Four Wheel Driving apart and 20 metres high. A 4WD national parks of Idalia, Welford, Authority Inc. The outback is the perfect place to get Dinosaurs and Fossils The North West vehicle is essential for this park. The Bladensburg, Carnarvon or others, contact Telephone (07) 3236 4996 or “off the beaten track”. The further west Millions of years ago the outback was This section of the outback is one of major industry. Visit the modern Simpson Desert is a remote place. the Environmental Protection Authority 1800 247 966 (toll free) you travel, the more opportunity there is once an inland sea. This has resulted in 6 the oldest areas on earth and is known Outback @ Isa complex to discover all Survival and safety depends on the (QPWS) Head Office: Email: [email protected] for off-road recreational driving. The the area being rich in marine and 3 as Dinosaur Fossil Country. It contains that’s on offer in “the Isa”. actions of each individual. Carry 160 Ann St, Brisbane www.outbackholidays.info areas from Thargomindah-Windorah- dinosaur fossils. Located along the a wealth of fossils from the dinosaur adequate supplies of food, water, (07) 3227 8185 Cloncurry, to the east, is steeped in history. Boulia west contain sand dunes, dry creek various outback dinosaur tourist routes era, such as the World Heritage-listed clothing, fuel, vehicle spares and medical or visit their web site: The Royal Flying Doctor Service was Tourism Queensland crossings and desert country to test the there are several World Heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields north of Mount supplies. www.epa.qld.gov.au founded here in 1928 by Dr John Flynn. Telephone 13 88 33 Isa and also in Richmond and 4WD enthusiast. Roads and tracks in oil fossil sites of unique significance, where The historic Shire Hall is worth a visit and www.queenslandholidays.com.au/outback In the event of mechanical breakdown, Hughenden to the east. Interprative and gas fields are not open to the public. previously unknown mammals, birds and Sturt National Park in the north-west 1 is part of the town’s old streetscape. reptiles have been discovered. remain with your vehicle. corner of New South Wales was named 4 fossil centres are located in these Remember to check the local conditions RACQ after Charles Sturt who explored the area regional centres. Combo Waterhole, near Kynuna, is the and leave a travel itenery with the local There are several museums and A permit from QPWS is required to 5 billabong said to have inspired Banjo Telephone 1300 130 595 (Road enter and camp in the park. Leave in 1845. It is an arid region of gibber 2 Mount Isa is the hub for this region. police before you set out. Have ample interpretive centres where tourists can Paterson when he penned the immortal conditions) travel details with Birdsville police. plains, mesas and red sandhills. Facilities Large underground mining operations supplies, maps and even a compass in view these fossil remains and discover Australian ballad “Watzing Matilda”. www.racq.com.au Contact the QPWS ranger at Birdsville - include picnic areas, barbecues, drinking for copper, silver, lead and zinc are the your vehicle. the outback’s unique palaeontology. (07) 4656 3272. water and toilets.