Camping in Outback Queensland

Outback Queensland is a long way between towns, so most trips here are a string of caravan-park stops rather than a single stay. The rewards are big ones: dinosaur footprints near Winton, the Qantas story in Longreach, bilbies in Charleville, and the country where Banjo Paterson is believed to have written Waltzing Matilda in 1895.

Where is the best place to camp in Outback Queensland?

In the Central West, Longreach Tourist Park is in Longreach, on a long reach of the Thomson River, and Winton has several parks in town. Up north-west, Mount Isa has parks such as AAOK Moondarra Caravan Park towards the lake. In the south-west, Charleville and Quilpie have caravan parks, and Major Mitchell Caravan Park in Mitchell has a camp kitchen and allows pets.

What is there to do in Outback Queensland with kids?

In Longreach, the Qantas Founders Museum in the 1922 hangar displays a Boeing 747 and a restored 707, and the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame is dedicated to outback pioneers. In Winton, the Waltzing Matilda Centre is in town, and about 110 km south-west, Lark Quarry protects a trackway of more than 3,300 dinosaur footprints. Richmond has Kronosaurus Korner, in Charleville the Bilby Experience breeds the vulnerable greater bilby, and in Mitchell, the Great Artesian Spa has a heated and a cool pool of artesian water. At Biloela, the Queensland Heritage Park is right by the caravan park.

• Cobb & Co. Museum – Museums and history, Surat. Closest campground: Surat Cabins and Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Corfield & Fitzmaurice General Merchants – Museums and history, Winton. Closest campground: Tattersall's Van Park, under 1 km
• Kronosaurus Korner – Museums and history, Richmond. Closest campground: Lakeview Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Waltzing Matilda Centre – Museums and history, Winton. Closest campground: Tattersall's Van Park, under 1 km
• Longreach Railway Museum – Museums and history, Longreach. Closest campground: Longreach Showgrounds, under 1 km
• The Wellshot Centre – Museums and history, Ilfracombe. Closest campground: Ilfracombe Van Park, under 1 km
• Cracow Gold Mine Heritage Centre – Museums and history, Cracow. Closest campground: Cracow Campsite & Van Parking, under 1 km
• Ossies Opal Workshop and Museum – Museums and history, Yowah. Closest campground: Yowah Rest Area, under 1 km
• Pieces of Yesteryear – Museums and history, Winton. Closest campground: Tattersall's Van Park, under 1 km
• Queensland Heritage Park – Museums and history, Biloela. Closest campground: Biloela Heritage Park, under 1 km
• Willie Mar Chinese Market - Heritage Site – Museums and history, Winton. Closest campground: Tattersall's Van Park, under 1 km
• Winton Heritage Truck & Machinery Museum – Museums and history, Winton. Closest campground: Winton Roadhouse, Cabins & Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Booringa Heritage Museum – Museums and history, Mitchell. Closest campground: Major Mitchell Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Cambridge Downs Heritage Display Centre – Museums and history, Richmond. Closest campground: Lakeview Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Dr Arratta Memorial Museum – Museums and history, Muttaburra. Closest campground: Muttaburra Freedom Park, under 1 km
• Injune Museum – Museums and history, Injune. Closest campground: Injune Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Powerhouse Museum – Museums and history, Wyandra. Closest campground: Wyandra Camping, under 1 km
• Cloncurry Unearthed Visitor Information Centre & Museum – Museums and history, Cloncurry. Closest campground: Oasis Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Dawson Folk Museum – Museums and history, Theodore. Closest campground: Junction Park Short Stay Camping, under 1 km
• Tram Museum – Museums and history, Aramac. Closest campground: Aramac Freedom Park, under 1 km
• Hughenden Memorial Swimming Pool – Swimming, Hughenden. Closest campground: Allen Terry Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Injune Pool – Swimming, Injune. Closest campground: Injune Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Richmond Pool – Swimming, Richmond. Closest campground: Lakeview Caravan Park, under 1 km

What are the best nature spots in outback Queensland?

Bladensburg National Park, just south of Winton, has sandstone ranges and flat-topped mesas along Surprise Creek, with birds like the painted firetail. Near Mount Isa, Lake Moondarra is good for fishing and birdwatching, and Camooweal Caves National Park protects two sinkholes formed over 500 million years. Out east near Monto, Cania Gorge has short family walks to Dripping Rock and The Overhang.

• Rotary Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Oasis Caravan Park, 3 km
• Baldy Top Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Channel Country Tourist Park & Spas, 5 km
• Mount Slowcombe Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Yaraka Camping Grounds, 5 km
• Three Steps – Waterfall. Closest campground: AAOK Moondarra Caravan Park, 4 km
• Warrigal Waterhole (Painted Rock) – Swimming spot. Closest campground: Discovery Holiday Parks - Argylla (BIG4), 8 km
• Camooweal Caves – Cave, Camooweal Caves National Park. Closest campground: Camooweal Post Office Hotel Motel & Caravan Park, 16 km
• Sunset Viewing Point – Lookout. Closest campground: Cunnamulla Tourist Park - Gday Parks, 1 km
• John Cambell Miles Memorial Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Sunset Tourist Park, 2 km
• The Bluff – Lookout. Closest campground: Artesian Waters Caravan Park, 4 km

When is the best time to go camping in Outback Queensland?

Temperatures swing hard here: Mitchell holds Australia's record temperature range, from -9.4°C to 46.8°C, and Longreach has reached 47.9°C, so pack for hot days and cold nights. Western rivers can flood after heavy rain, so check road conditions before long drives.

Are there powered sites in Outback Queensland?

Yes. 36 campgrounds here have powered sites confirmed, including Major Mitchell Caravan Park, Winton Roadhouse, Cabins & Caravan Park and Biloela Heritage Park. For the rest we are still confirming, so check with the park or holiday park before you book a powered site.

How far is Longreach from Brisbane?

Longreach is about 1,178 km north-west of Brisbane, Winton about 1,153 km, Charleville about 747 km and Mount Isa about 1,826 km.

Facts from Wikipedia, "Longreach, Queensland" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Qantas Founders Museum" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Lark Quarry Conservation Park" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Waltzing Matilda Centre" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Mount Isa" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Charleville, Queensland" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Mitchell, Queensland" (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikipedia, "Bladensburg National Park" (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Map of campgrounds in Outback Queensland

75 campgrounds

• Major Mitchell Caravan Park — Mitchell, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, pets allowed, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets, wheelchair accessible
• Winton Roadhouse, Cabins & Caravan Park — Winton, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Biloela Heritage Park — Biloela, QLD. caravan sites, drinking water, dump point, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Evening Star Tourist Park — Ward, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Hebel Hotel & General Store / Hebel Caravan Park — Hebel, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Injune Caravan Park — Injune, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, showers, tent sites, toilets
• The Lake — Quilpie, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Allen Terry Caravan Park — Hughenden, QLD. camp kitchen, dump point, laundry, powered sites, tent sites, toilets
• Eulo Queen Hotel — Eulo, QLD. caravan sites, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Ilfracombe Van Park — Ilfracombe, QLD. caravan sites, dump point, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Lakeview Caravan Park — Richmond, QLD. camp kitchen, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Mitchell Showgrounds - Camp Area Special Events / By Prior Approval — Mitchell, QLD. caravan sites, dump point, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Muttaburra Camping Ground — Muttaburra, QLD. caravan sites, dump point, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Yowah Rest Area — Yowah, QLD. caravan sites, dump point, laundry, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Augathella on the Highway Motel and Caravan Park — Augathella, QLD. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Biloela Caravan & Tourist Park — Biloela, QLD. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Cracow Campsite & Van Parking — Cracow, QLD. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Junction Park Short Stay Camping — Theodore, QLD. caravan sites, pets allowed, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Wyandra Camping — Wyandra, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Augathella Rest Area - Warrego Park - Main Campground — Augathella, QLD. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Augathella Rest Area - Warrego Park - Overflow Campground — Augathella, QLD. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Bedourie Tourist Park — Bedourie, QLD. laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Birdsville Caravan Park — Birdsville, QLD. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Charleville Bush Caravan Park — Charleville, QLD. dump point, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Copper City Caravan Park — Winston, QLD. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Moura Apex River Park — Moura, QLD. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Oasis Caravan Park — Cloncurry, QLD. drinking water, dump point, powered sites, toilets
• Opalton Bush Park — Opalton, QLD. caravan sites, pets allowed, tent sites, wifi
• Pelican Rest Tourist Park — St George, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, tent sites, wifi
• Surat Cabins and Caravan Park — Surat, QLD. camp kitchen, caravan sites, powered sites, tent sites
• Wallam Creek (Yumba) — Bollon, QLD. caravan sites, dump point, tent sites, toilets
• Alpha Showground - Events Only — Alpha, QLD. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Artesian Waters Caravan Park — Yowah, QLD. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Isisford Barcoo Weir Camping Grounds (West) — Isisford, QLD. drinking water, dump point, toilets
• Lake Dunn Campground and Picnic Area — Aramac, QLD. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Lawgi Dawes Park/Hall Campground — Lawgi Dawes, QLD. caravan sites, tent sites, toilets
• OVERFLOW ONLY - Napunyah Caravan Park — Thargomindah, QLD. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Southern Cross Caravan Park — Hungerford, QLD. caravan sites, showers, toilets
• Sunset Tourist Park — Winston, QLD. dump point, powered sites, wifi
• Yaraka Camping Grounds — Yaraka, QLD. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Aramac Freedom Park — Aramac, QLD. caravan sites, tent sites
• Bailey Bar Caravan Park — Charleville, QLD. powered sites, wifi
• Barcoo River Camp (Blackall) — Blackall, QLD. showers, toilets
• Explorers Caravan Park — Thargomindah, QLD. powered sites, wifi
• Lawgi Heritage Park & Farm Stay — Lawgi Dawes, QLD. caravan sites, tent sites
• Moura Caravan Park — Moura, QLD. caravan sites, powered sites
• Muttaburra Freedom Park — Muttaburra, QLD. caravan sites, tent sites
• Pelican Caravan Park — Winton, QLD. powered sites, toilets
• The Lake West Side — Quilpie, QLD. caravan sites, tent sites
• Boulia Caravan Park — Boulia, QLD. powered sites
• Camooweal Roadhouse Caravan Park — Camooweal, QLD. powered sites
• Channel Country Tourist Park & Spas — Quilpie, QLD. powered sites
• Discovery Holiday Parks - Argylla (BIG4) — Fisher, QLD. powered sites
• Gadd's Walkers' Camp — Mount Moffatt, QLD. tent sites
• Longreach Tourist Park — Longreach, QLD. powered sites
• Moorrinya National Park Campground — Torrens Creek, QLD. toilets
• Windorah Caravan Park (New) — Windorah, QLD. powered sites
• Windorah Caravan Park (Original) — Windorah, QLD. powered sites
• AAOK Moondarra Caravan Park — Lanskey, QLD
• Apex Park Bush Camp — Longreach, QLD
• Barcoo Hotel Caravan Park — Blackall, QLD
• Boomerang Caravan & Tourist Park — Biloela, QLD
• Bulloo River — Quilpie, QLD
• Callide Dam Accomodation — Valentine Plains, QLD
• Camooweal Post Office Hotel Motel & Caravan Park — Camooweal, QLD
• cong camp — Mckinlay, QLD
• Cunnamulla Tourist Park - Gday Parks — Cunnamulla, QLD
• Discovery Holiday Park - Biloela — Biloela, QLD
• Isisford Barcoo Weir Camping Grounds (East) — Isisford, QLD
• Kynuna Caravan Park — Kynuna, QLD
• Lloyd Jones Weir Campground — Barcaldine, QLD
• Longreach Caravan Park — Longreach, QLD
• Longreach Showgrounds — Longreach, QLD
• Tattersall's Van Park — Winton, QLD
• Villa Holiday Park — Roma, QLD

Region boundary: ABS ASGS Edition 3 Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0.