Cross Country To Outback

11 Days From Brisbane to Mount Isa

Start: Brisbane

Finish: Mount Isa

Duration: 2162 kms – 11 Days

Highlights

• Explore the Granite Belt Food & Wine Trail.
• Visit the world's oldest and largest operating woolshed in Jondaryan.
• Take an underground mine tour in Mount Isa.

Day 1 & 2: Brisbane to Girraween National Park

Duration: 237 kms - 3 hrs

Travel the Cunningham Highway via the quaint township of Aratula to Warwick known for its roses and rodeo. Call into the Warwick Visitor Information Centre for a copy of the self-guided Heritage Buildings Trail. Continue your drive to Stanthorpe in the heart of Queensland’s premier food and wine region then travel the short distance to Ballandean and Girraween National Park.

Explore up to 17 km of walking tracks through this spectacular park with its massive granite outcrops, balancing boulders and clear tumbling cascades. If you feel like a sweet treat after your walk, head to the Bramble Patch Berry Farm for a berry ice-cream and to sample their delicious jams, sauces, chutneys and relishes - all made on site.

We recommend: Stay 2 nights at the Girraween Environmental Lodge in Girraween National Park.

Day 3 & 4: Girraween National Park to Toowoomba

Duration: 143 kms - 2 hrs

Travel back through Warwick and the quintessential country town of Clifton which has been used in a number of Australian movies including ‘The Thornbirds’. Just a short drive north of Clifton is the village of Nobby and the well known Rudd’s Pub, dedicated to author Steele Rudd. See the memorial to Sister Kenny who lived in the area and was known for her revolutionary treatment for the victims of polio. Continue your drive to the Garden City of Toowoomba.

The next day, take a leisurely stroll through the stunning Japanese Garden and beautiful Queens Park then join a tour of the Cobb and Co Museum. Dine in one of the many outstanding restaurants or historic pubs within walking distance of your accommodation.

We recommend: Stay 2 nights at the Quest Apartments in Toowoomba.

Day 5: Toowoomba to Roma

Duration: 351 kms - 4.25 hrs

Head west to the heritage-listed Woolshed at Jondaryan, the largest operating woolshed in the world. Tonight learn the story of Australia's early oil and gas industry with an entertaining outdoor light and sound presentation at Roma's Big Rig.

We recommend: Stay overnight at Roma Explorer’s Inn in Roma.

Day 6: Roma to Charleville

Duration: 266 kms - 3 hrs

Travel the Warrego Highway to Mitchell for a therapeutic soak in the ancient waters of the Great Artesian Spa. Continue your drive to Charleville, heart of the 'mulga' country. See the endangered Bilby at the Bilby Experience then view distant stars, planets and star clusters at the Cosmos Centre Night Show.

We recommend: Stay overnight at The Rocks Motel in Charleville.

Day 7 & 8: Charleville to Longreach

Duration: 516 kms - 5.5 hrs

Call in to the pretty outback town of Tambo and visit the Tambo Teddies Workshop with its sheep skin teddy bears. Take a tour of the historic Blackall Woolscour before arriving in Longreach late afternoon.

The next day, discover Australia's pioneering stories at the Stockman's Hall of Fame then watch the entertaining Outback Stockmans Show. Take the guided Jets Tour at Qantas Founders Museum then join the Drover's Sunset Cruise on the majestic Thomson River late afternoon.

We recommend: Stay 2 nights at the Albert Park Motor Inn in Longreach.

Day 9 & 10: Longreach to Winton

Duration: 179 kms - 2 hrs

Board your Cobb and Co Stage coach for an exhilarating gallop through the bush then explore the Kinnon & Co Station Store. Continue your drive to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just east of Winton for an interpretive tour of the largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils.

The next day, join a full day tour to Lark Quarry to view the world's only recorded fossilised footprints of a dinosaur stampede from 95 million years ago. Tonight have a real outback pub meal at the famous Tatts Hotel.

We recommend: Stay 2 nights at The North Gregory Hotel in Winton.

Day 1: Winton to Mount Isa

Duration: 470 kms - 5.25 hrs

Travel north west to McKinlay's Walkabout Creek Hotel made famous in the Crocodile Dundee movie. Learn the Royal Flying Doctor's story at Cloncurry's John Flynn Place. You can drop off your car in Mount Isa, then join a return flight to Brisbane.

This road trip was provided by Queensland's Big Sky Country Drives.

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