Far West Outback Queensland: 5 Unmissable Towns and Experiences
(Plus one bonus stop you won’t want to miss!)
If you’re dreaming of the open road, endless horizons, and a sky so big it feels like it might swallow you whole, then Far West Outback Queensland is calling your name. This is a part of Australia where towns are few and far between, characters are larger than life, and history lingers in every dust-filled breeze.
We’ve just rolled through this part of the country, towing our Zone RV Sojourn behind the trusty LC300, and we can honestly say, this is the real deal outback. Think friendly locals, a pub on every corner (well… every couple hundred kilometres), and landscapes that change from blood-red sand dunes to lush river gums in the blink of an eye.
Here are our Top 5 Must-Do Stops, plus one cheeky bonus, that will make your Far West Outback Queensland adventure unforgettable.
1. Windorah – Gateway to the Cooper
Where we stayed: Windorah Caravan Park – shady powered and unpowered sites (pick your own on arrival), spotless amenities, and a short stroll to the pub.
Windorah is one of those towns that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re driving through open gibber plains, the next you’re greeted by a quaint main street, historical sites, a big wind turbine, and a country-warm welcome.
What to do:
- Wander the History & Information Walk and get to know the stories that shaped the town – from the Whitman brothers to the pioneering days of the Royal Mail service.
- Take the short drive to the red sand hills, especially at sunset when the colours are pure magic.
- Drop a line in Cooper’s Creek for a chance at landing a yellowbelly (golden perch). The town hosts an annual yellowbelly fishing competition that’s as much about the laughs and community spirit as it is about the catch.
- If you’re here in early September, you can’t miss the Windorah International Yabby Races. It’s exactly what it sounds like – yabbies, a racetrack, and a whole lot of cheering.
Free camping tip: There’s great bush camping along Cooper’s Creek just outside of town – roomy, peaceful, and campfire-friendly.
2. Betoota – The Ghost Town That Refuses to Die
Where we stayed: Right at the Betoota Pub, for free. Because when the only building in town is the pub… well, it’s an easy choice.
Betoota is the kind of place that makes you grin as you roll in. Population: technically zero. Buildings: one. But that one building is a cracker. The Betoota Hotel sat closed for more than a decade until publican Robert Haken decided to bring it back to life. Now it’s part watering hole, part time capsule, part bucket-list stop for travellers.
What to do:
- Have a yarn at the bar – you’ll hear more outback stories in an hour here than you will anywhere else.
- Wander around what’s left of town and imagine life here in the 1880s when Betoota was a bustling Cobb & Co stop and customs post.
- Time your visit with an event like the new Outback Desert Muster music festival – Betoota knows how to throw a party.
Free camping tip: Roll out your swag or park up your van in the open space opposite the pub. Many camp out near the racetrack or on the gibber plain. Just be prepared for a truly rustic night under the stars.
3. Birdsville – Outback Royalty
Where we stayed: Birdsville Tourist Park – a comfy base just a short walk from town.
Birdsville. The name alone conjures up images of dusty streets, cold beers, and wide-open spaces. This town is the rock star of outback Queensland, and for good reason.
What to do:
- The Birdsville Races in September are legendary – thousands flock here for a weekend of horse racing, music, and all-round mayhem.
- The Big Red Bash in July transforms the desert into the world’s most remote music festival, drawing huge crowds and world-class acts to the foot of the Simpson Desert’s tallest dune.
- Visit the Birdsville Hotel, pull up a bar stool, and soak in over 140 years of history (and a pint or two).
- Drive (or walk) up Big Red, the tallest sand dune in the Simpson Desert, for a sunset or sunrise that will knock your socks off.
- Grab a curried camel pie from the bakery – yes, camel.
- Or if you’d rather a coffee over a camel, stop in at Karrawa Wirinya Coffee Place and have a yarn around the campfire with Don Rowlands, park ranger and Elder of the Wangkangurru and Yarluyandi people from Munga-Thirri (Simpson Desert).
Free camping tip: Birdsville Common is a huge free-camping area between the river and the town square. You can camp anywhere you like, enjoy a short walk to town, and even fill your water tanks with free drinking water – a rare treat out here.
4. Bedourie – Home of the Camp Oven
Where we stayed: Bedourie Tourist Park for a few nights, and out at the Racecourse for the Desert Champions Camel Races event.
Bedourie is as charming as it is quirky. This is the birthplace of the famous Bedourie Camp Oven – a lighter, tougher spin on the traditional cast-iron camp oven, designed right here for drovers and travellers.
What to do:
- Check out the Bedourie Pisé House (built from rammed earth in 1897) and the Aboriginal Tracker’s Hut – both important slices of history.
- Pop into the Royal Hotel for a cold drink – it’s been standing since the 1880s.
- Soak your troubles away in the warm waters of the Bedourie Artesian Spa And Swimming Pool Complex
- Time your trip for the Bedourie Camel & Pig Races in July. It’s as fun and chaotic as it sounds, with a camp oven cook-off thrown in for good measure.
Free camping tip: The racecourse is a go-to for free and event camping, and there are also quiet bush camps near Eyre Creek.
5. Boulia – Land of the Min Min Light
Where we stayed: Boulia Caravan Park – friendly hosts and walking distance to everything.
Boulia is famous for the Min Min Light – mysterious glowing orbs that appear (and vanish) across the plains. Locals will tell you their own sightings… but whether you believe it or not is up to you.
What to do:
- Visit the Min Min Encounter Centre for a theatrical retelling of the legend.
- Explore the Boulia Stone House Museum, one of the oldest buildings in the district.
- Snap a photo at Australia’s first 3D zebra crossing – a clever road safety feature that doubles as a fun optical illusion.
- If you’re here in July, the Boulia Camel Races are a massive event, drawing visitors from across the country.
Free camping tip: Check out the area near the golf course, or chat to the Visitor Centre about nearby bush camping spots.
Bonus Stop: Stonehenge – Write Your Name in History
Where we stayed: Opposite the pub (because you can’t beat a short walk home).
Stonehenge might be small, but it’s packed with charm. The locals are warm, the pub meals are hearty, and there’s a unique attraction here you absolutely can’t miss – the Stonehenge Address Book.
On the outskirts of town, travellers use rocks to write their names, dates, or cheeky messages on the ground. It’s become a rite of passage to “sign in” before you move on. Just remember to respect what’s already there, keep it light-hearted, and look out for our #FEELGOOD and #Jasperoo!
What to do:
- Visit the Stonehenge Hotel for a cold drink and a chat.
- Take a wander through town and spot the murals and memorials.
- Leave your mark in the Address Book and take a drone shot if you can – it’s one for the scrapbook!
Free camping tip: Bush camp on the outskirts or ask at the pub for the best options.
Final Thoughts
Travelling through Far West Outback Queensland isn’t just about ticking towns off a map – it’s about slowing down, meeting people with hearts as wide as the horizon, and soaking up the history, humour, and hospitality that make this region so special.
From yabby races to ghost-town pubs, from mysterious lights to camel pies, this corner of Australia has a knack for surprising you around every bend. So hitch up, fuel up, and get ready, because the outback magic is real, and it’s waiting for you.
Watch our Outback Australia Season 10 episodes for more Far West Outback Queensland inspiration!
Check out our top picks for more awesome Queensland destinations and experiences!
