Spirit of Outback Queensland

Arrive in Brisbane and step aboard the legendary Spirit of the Outback, your gateway to one of Australia's most captivating rail journeys. Settle into the rhythm of the rails as the train winds its way through the heart of Queensland. Relax in the comfort of your sleeper cabin and soak in the ever-changing vistas through panoramic windows. As evening falls, enjoy a Welcome Dinner in the Tuckerbox Restaurant, where fresh local produce and regional flavours are served with true Outback hospitality.

Savour breakfast and lunch onboard the Spirit of the Outback then arrive in Longreach late afternoon - an iconic town steeped in pioneering history and Outback stories. You’ll be transferred to the award-winning Mitchell Grass Retreat, a haven of luxury nestled on the edge of the sweeping Mitchell Grass Plains. Settle into your beautifully appointed eco-tent, where canvas meets comfort in perfect harmony—complete with plush bedding, air-conditioning, ensuite and a private deck. As the day winds down, take your seat on the sunset deck for an unforgettable Outback dining experience.

Begin your day with our Signature Experience then delve into Australia’s pioneering past with a self-guided tour of the acclaimed Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. This engaging museum pays tribute to the men and women who helped shape Outback Australia, with powerful storytelling, immersive galleries and interactive exhibits that bring the region’s rich history to life. Continue your journey into Australia’s heritage with a visit to the Qantas Founders Museum, where the extraordinary story of the country’s national airline takes centre stage. Discover how Qantas began right here in Longreach through rare artefacts, interactive displays, and full-sized aircraft exhibits that trace its evolution from bush airline to international carrier. This evening a special dining experience beckons.

Signature Experience – Drover’s Breakfast Cruise

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast cruise aboard the M.V. Longreach Explorer, drifting along the Thomson River as morning light warms the Outback landscape. Along the way, discover the stories of the Iningai Scar Trees, rich with cultural significance, and learn how Longreach got its name. Enjoy a light breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries and local bites, all while taking in the peaceful surroundings from the water.

Signature Experience – Ultimate Outback Rail Adventure

In the evening, climb aboard the Silver-Tails Sunset Rail Journey, a beautifully restored heritage Rail Motor, for an unforgettable journey through the vast floodplains of Outback Queensland. As the sun dips below the horizon, enjoy signature canapés and drinks served onboard, all while taking in the dramatic colour changes of the landscape at dusk—an iconic Outback sunset, experienced in style.

This morning, depart Longreach and travel southwest through the striking landscapes of the Barcoo Shire. This is classic Channel Country—rich in grazing heritage and etched with stories of early explorers, bush poets, and resilient pastoral communities. Arrive at Toogunna Plains Farmstay in the late afternoon to a warm country welcome from your fifth-generation grazier hosts. Set on a 132,000-acre working sheep and cattle station, Toogunna offers a genuine connection to Outback life and legacy. Settle into your deluxe ensuite cabin, thoughtfully designed for comfort with views of the open plains.

Signature Experience – Sunset Canapes at Kyra Sandhills

As the sun begins to dip, join the Sandhills at Sunset tour, where you’ll toast the day with drinks and canapés against a stunning Outback backdrop. Return to the homestead garden for a paddock-to-plate dinner, showcasing the property’s own produce and the rich flavours of the region.

Wake to a hearty, home-cooked breakfast at Toogunna Plains Farmstay, setting the tone for another memorable day. This morning, set out on a guided station tour, visiting abandoned homesteads that whisper tales of early settler life, old oil fields and shearing sheds that once buzzed with workers. With some time to unwind, soak in the tranquillity of Toogunna before your early afternoon departure to Eromanga Natural History Museum – home to Australia’s largest dinosaur. Join an engaging guided tour through the working fossil laboratory, where experienced guides bring ancient creatures back to life through cutting-edge research and discovery.

Signature Experience – Tastes of the Outback Dinner

As evening falls, enjoy drinks and canapés on the museum’s open-air gallery pavilion with views to a stunning Outback sunset.  Then, step into the impressive museum gallery for the Tastes of the Outback experience—a carefully curated five-course degustation dinner showcasing the local produce.

This morning, we bid farewell to Toogunna Plains Farmstay and make our way to Quilpie, home of the rare Boulder Opal, and where you’ll uncover the rich tapestry of Quilpie’s past. Then, enroute to Charleville, we’ll stop at the Outback Date Farm, a family-run property where you’ll learn how dates are grown in the region’s dry climate. Take a short tour of the property and enjoy a taste of their popular homemade date loaf, fresh from the kitchen. Next stop is Charleville and the Bilby Experience to meet the much-loved but endangered bilby. On a guided tour of the nocturnal house and interpretive centre, learn about the conservation work being done to protect this shy desert-dwelling marsupial. We continue our drive along the Adventure Way to Roma for check-in. Tonight, we'll enjoy a relaxed dinner at our accommodation.

This morning, on our exclusive Signature Experience, we’ll delve deeper into the pastoral stories and natural history of South West Outback Queensland.  Then late afternoon, we’ll visit Western Queensland Spirit, the first craft distillery in this part of the Outback. Enjoy a guided tour and learn about the process of small-batch distilling using locally inspired botanicals. Raise a glass to your journey during a relaxed farewell dinner, celebrating the flavours and stories that have made your Outback Queensland adventure truly memorable.

Signature Experience – Roma & Surrounds Tour This morning, gain a deeper understanding of Roma’s pastoral heritage on a guided tour led by a local expert. Later, travel out to Mount Abundance for a scenic picnic lunch, with sweeping views and stories shared by your eco-guide. Keep an eye out for native wildlife, including wedge-tailed eagles overhead and, if you’re lucky, the shy black-striped wallaby among the scrub.

Today, we begin the journey back to Brisbane, travelling through the changing landscapes of the Western Downs. Pass through the rural townships of Miles and Chinchilla, known for their rich farming and early pastoral history, before arriving in Brisbane late afternoon.