Dinosaur Discovery In The Queensland Outback

Day 1

Home - Roma
Today we embark on a journey of discovery through Queensland's outback. Travel the Warrego Highway from Ipswich through the fertile Lockyer Valley, stopping for morning tea along the way. Ascend the Great Dividing Range and travel across the Darling Downs, travelling through Dalby, Chinchilla and Miles before arriving in Roma for our overnight stay.

Day 2

Roma - Emerald
This morning, discover more about Roma during a town tour. We then traverse the Carnarvon Highway to Injune and Rolleston. Stop in Injune, a small township nestled in the quiet bushland at the base of the majestic Carnarvon Ranges, for morning tea and stop for lunch in the small outback town of Rolleston. This afternoon, join the Dawson Highway to make our way to Emerald via the small rural service centre of Springsure, Lake Maraboon and Fairbairn Dam.

Day 3

Emerald - Longreach
After breakfast, travel to Barcaldine which has earned the title of Garden City of the West, with an interesting and famous history. Visit the Tree of Knowledge and The Australian Workers Heritage Centre, a tribute to all Australian working men and women. This afternoon continue on to Longreach for the next two nights.

Day 4

Longreach
A town tour this morning reveals the distinctive water towers, the Centenary mural, a replica of the first QANTAS booking office and QANTAS park memorial, the Tropic of Capricorn marker and the Arid Zone Research Institute. Visit the Stockmans Hall of Fame where the Stockmans experience is brought to life at the LIVE show. There will also be opportunity to see exhibits comprising of an eclectic mix of objects, images, touchscreens, audio-visual presentations and open displays which allow you to interpret the outback story in your own unique way. Take the opportunity to purchase your morning tea and lunch before we visit the QANTAS Founders Outback Museum for a self-guided tour. This afternoon, return to our accommodation to freshen up before our evening out. Board the historic paddlewheeler to cruise the Thomson River, a 10km natural waterway called the Long Reach", to enjoy a traditional Stockmans dinner around the campfire, a spectacular sound and light picture show ending with the timeless favourite, billy tea and damper.

Day 5

Longreach - Winton
Today we will be out and about until after dinner, so be sure to wear good walking shoes and keep a jacket with you as the evenings can be cool. Begin with a journey to the remote town of Muttaburra. Known for the discovery site of the Muttaburrasaurus in 1963, there is now a full sized replica of the 12 metre long and 2 metre high dinosaur in town. Visit Dr Arratta's Medical Museum with original operating theatres and wards in the medical and hospital displays. Enjoy lunch at The Exchange Hotel before continuing to The Jump Up on the outskirts of Winton and home of The Australian Age of Dinosaurs. Take a guided tour through the Collection Room and the Fossil Preparation Laboratory to view dinosaur fossil collections and the exciting new 3D digital theatre with animations of Australian dinosaurs. The guide will also take us to the March of the Titanosaurs Exhibition for a self-guided walk through Dinosaur Canyon, where you'll see life size bronze models in the landscape that they once inhabited. To complete our day, we will enjoy dinner overlooking the landscape as the sun sets in the Dark Sky Sanctuary, followed by a guided tour of the Gondwana Stars Observatory.

Day 6

Winton
With a relaxed start to the day, we'll spend some time discovering Winton with a town tour before a visit to the Heritage Truck and Machinery Museum. Later, visit The Waltzing Matilda Centre, where the story of Waltzing Matilda is told; a song that lives in the hearts of all Australians as our unofficial anthem. The museum is also the first museum in the world dedicated to a song. After opening in 1998, the building was tragically destroyed by fire in June 2015. The centre was rebuilt and re-opened in April 2018 and is the pride of Winton and Outback Queensland once more. Following lunch enjoy some free time in town.

Day 7

Winton - Richmond
Departing Winton, we continue our journey along the Australian Dinosaur Trail. Our first stop is the Blue Heeler Pub in Kynuna. Discover how this little pub has direct ties to Banjo Paterson. We then continue on to Richmond, located on the banks of Queensland's longest river - the Flinders River, and home to Kronosaurus Korner - Australia's only marine fossil museum. This afternoon, check into our accommodation with time to freshen up before dinner.

Day 8

Richmond - Charters Towers
Today we will travel along the Overlander Way to Hughenden for a visit to the Flinders Discovery Centre. About 110 million years ago a shallow sea covered inland Australia. Today all that remains are some of Australia's most beautiful and complete fossils. Where Hughenden lies now, would have been somewhere on the shores of this inland sea that was filled with marine reptiles. As we depart Hughenden, keep your eyes peeled for the mammoth wind turbine blades spinning in the distance contributing to Queensland's renewable Energy. This afternoon, arrive in Charters Towers and settle into our overnight accommodation. After an early dinner, we'll visit one of Australia's oldest operating open air theatres which is certain to bring back memories for some. Please bring a small torch to light your way tonight.

Day 9

Charters Towers - Townsville
A town tour of Charters Towers will highlight the unrivalled architecture and unique history which makes this one of the most beautiful inland cities in Queensland and the hub of a cattle raising area. Charters Towers became a gold rush town when gold was discovered in 1871 and is now home to over 60 buildings of historical significance, such as the elegant Boer War Memorial Rotunda, the classic Royal Private Hotel, the grand Charters Towers Bank building and the historic Ambulance Centre. Visits to the Venus Battery and Visitor Information Centre will allow you to see behind the scenes of the real-life gold rush days. Purchase your own lunch during some free time in town and this afternoon, relax as we make our way to Townsville for our overnight stay.

Day 10

Townsville - Home
After breakfast, enjoy a town tour of Townsville before spending time in the Townsville Palmetum, one of three Botanic Gardens located in Townsville. We then make our way to Townsville Airport where you will board your flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner