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Enjoy the exclusive company of a private travel group in air-conditioned comfort as you visit Australia’s real Outback and it’s people. Experience a 12 day personalised tour across the Queensland Outback to include the Birdsville Races. Go where the dust never settles, deep into the heart of Australia through the rich Channel Country to see the magnificent scenery, enjoy gourmet outback food, and be welcomed by outstanding cultural tourism experts. You will travel 4,000 km and visit numerous iconic Outback Pubs with KARRABEE TOURS during a jam packed tour experience. Highlights of the tour can be found below with a full itinerary.
A Single Supplement can be arranged for the Tents at Birdsville. Single Rooms on other nights can not be guaranteed but endeavours will be made to make it possible.
KARRABEE BUS AND COACH renown for remarkable mealtime fare be it breakfast by the river, lunch by the lagoon or dinner under the stars. Except lunch on race day and in Longreach – all meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. As attested by our clients over the last 10 years, this is a gourmet experience not to be missed.
Meet the local characters in the Outback Hotels, where you will be accommodated wherever possible. In Birdsville you will be accommodated in ‘Tent City’, located near the heart of the town, close to all food vans and of course within a stone’s throw of the famed Birdsville Hotel.
Relax in the new Cunnamulla Hot springs, tour Cubbie Station, place your bet on the International Yabby Races, cheers to the sunset on a sandhill in Birdsville, cruise on the Thompson River, stimulate your senses at the Luminescent Longreach Sound & Light – guaranteed to take your breath away, visit the Age of Dinosaurs, play the Musical Fence, and laugh so hard your tummy will hurt at the Old Time Tent Show & “The Crack Up Sisters Show and Tour”
“I will remember this trip for the rest of my life. So glad we had the opportunity to join this tour. Food was amazing. Would travel with Karrabee again without a doubt.” Paul
“Every day was different so full of adventure. Will certainly have many happy memories and photos of our trip, Recommendation will certainly be given to people to have a trip of a lifetime.” – Dawn
“A once in a lifetime experience with the trip and organised Tourist Attractions. Look back and wonder how we fitted so much in. Amazing meals. Will certainly recommend to friends.” Denise
“A very big thank you to Julie and her team for their thoughtfulness and kindness in looking after each one of us as individuals and to the driver who made us feel safe and relaxed at all times.” Debbie
“Yee-ahh & Giddy-up – what a great tour. We backed so much into those days and had so much fun”. Paul
Amamoor, Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4570
Memorial Park Gympie
Greyhound Bus Stop, Elm Street, COOROY
East Side Car Park AUSSIE WORLD
Ibis Budget Airport Motel BRISBANE
McDonalds Oxley BRISBANE
BP Truck Stop West TOOWOOMBA
Jimbour Street DALBY
Tour will depart early with pickups along the way. Lunch is at the Criterion Hotel in Warwick. The tour visits the Silo Art at Yelarbon. Accommodation is at O’Shea’s Royal Hotel and dining at the famous Victoria Hotel in Goondiwindi.
Today we travel to the iconic Nindigully Pub with morning tea on the banks of the Moonie. Through to Thallon we view the Silo Art, then to Cubbie Station to view the cotton. We will travel along the Adventure Way to Bollon for lunch and then through the Mulga Country. Accommodation this evening is at Warrego Hotel in Cunnamulla. Some might like to enjoy the Cunnamulla Hot Springs.
Travelling west on the Wellness Way we stop to view the Mud Baths at Eulo. No trip west is complete without a stop at the memorable Toompine Pub ‘The pub with no town’ population of two. Lunch is at The Quilpie Brick Hotel followed by a drive along the Channel Country Way. In previous years as we entered Windorah we viewed the Solar Power Station that saved the town 100,000 litres of diesel fuel per year – they have now been demolished awaiting a replacement solution. Entertainment tonight is Windorah’s iconic International Yabby Races at Western Star Hotel. This quaint town swells from a population of 115 to a couple of thousand as everyone is on the road to Birdsville Races. We are privileged to stay at the “Windorah Hilton”.
The excitement and anticipation builds as we head to Betoota Pub, population of 3, closed in 1996 and now reopened – a quick game of cricket, lunch and a cheeky beer for some. Watch for wild flowers before arriving in Birdsville, here we are – ‘yeeha and giddyup’– time for a cold beer and yarn with people from all over Australia at the famous Birdsville Pub, a hair’s breadth from Tent City where we are accommodated for the next three nights and wine and dine under the stars.
Whilst touring Birdsville township view the Historic Outback homes, be sure not to miss the Birdsville School, Cemetery, Bakery and the Old Royal Hotel.
Other options include various flights over Lake Eyre or Birdsville. In the afternoon you will experience a memorable ‘Sunset Tour’ with champagne and nibbles overlooking the stunning Simpson Desert at sundown. Later on call in at the famous Birdsville Hotel and take a peek at Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe for great entertainment.
It’s Race Day! 🐎 Don your hats, dress to impress and place your bets….. And why not fly by Helicopter in style from the Birdsville Pub to the Races. This evening we have drinks and nibbles down on the Birdsville Billabong to celebrate the day’s wins or losses.
After an unforgettable weekend at the Birdsville Races we head north stopping at the Shoe Tree and Carcory Homestead, we continue to Bedourie Hotel followed by a picnic lunch and may have an opportunity to wash the dust off at the Bedourie Heated Pool. The accommodation and dining tonight is at The Australian Hotel in Boulia.
Breakfast is at the ruins of the Hamilton Hotel we travel east along the Outback Way, which is aptly titled “Australia’s longest short cut”. If a picture paints a thousand words, then this day has many photographic opportunities to talk about. Travelling through the amazing Cawnpore Ranges, chance for a climb to the top and a stop at the renowned Middleton Hotel. Population of Middleton is nine. There is time in Winton if you wish to visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, which was burnt down in 2015 and has been rebuilt as a magnificent architectural statement. Accommodation is at the Art Deco 1955 North Gregory Hotel, after settling in we will meet in the beer garden before one of the highlights of this tour, ‘The Crack Up Sisters’ are putting on a private show for our group- they will get up to a bit of mischief and entertain us with some comedy and clowning around. The evening meal is a Gidgee Roast slow cooked over 100 year old hot coals. You might also like to indulge in the Hydrotherapy Spa and, if we are lucky the Royal Open Air Theatre may open for our touring party. Watch out for movie stars because shows such as Mystery Road were shot in the Winton region.
There’s an early stop after ascending “The Jump Up” at Age of Dinosaurs where we view some of Australia’s natural history.
On to Longreach which is the tourism centre for Outback Queensland so we have a 2-day stop over. You can opt to experience the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, the School of the Air and the Qantas Outback Founders Museum or go on a Cobb and Co Stage Coach Ride on the 30000 acre common. Today’s finale is a relaxing evening on Starlight’s Cruise Experience on the Long-Reach of the Thompson River followed by a camp oven dinner. Visit the Station Store, a fantastic emporium of outback products, gifts & souvenirs. Together we watch the Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show. Accommodation for 2 nights is at Saltbush Retreat, also the opportunity for a relaxing soak at the exclusive outdoor bath terrace. On Wednesday evening we view the Luminescent Longreach Light and Sound Show at the Qantas Founders Museum followed by an Outback Degustation poolside.
Breakfast at the Wellshot Hotel Ilfracombe, then travel to Barcaldine to see the Tree of Knowledge before visiting the quaint little town of Tambo which is renowned for the Tambo Teddies. Lunch at Carrangarra Hotel. Travelling on the Matilda Way, we visit Augathella’s Ellangowan Hotel then onto Charleville to visit the famous Corones Hotel and a tour of the town. Mid-afternoon on to Morven to dine at the Sadleir’s Waterhole. Accommodation is at the Cambridge Motel in Mitchell.
After breakfast at the Muckadilla Pub we travel through to Roma, call in for a coffee at the Royal on 99, view the Roma Sale Yards– the largest cattle selling facility in Australia and lunch at the Club Hotel in Chinchilla. After lunch we will continue along the Warrego Way back into Brisbane and Sunshine Coast.
