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Brisbane to Birdsville
Day 1: Brisbane to Goondiwindi
Pick up your rig from the Rent-A-Rig depot in Brisbane and get a thorough briefing on your rig's features and equipment.
From Brisbane head west towards Warwick. Stop briefly in Aratula on the Cunningham Highway, at the foot of Cunningham's Gap, the centre of the Main Range National Park and the site of a large stone cairn memorial to the early explorers. This is a good spot to stretch the legs before continuing over the range to Warwick. Another good stop on the way is at the top of the range at Cunningham's Gap for a short rainforest walk.
If you happen to be travelling during the spring months, Warwick showcases wonderful roses throughout its parks and gardens. The red 'City of Warwick' or Arafuto Rose was developed especially for the town. Warwick is a great place to stop for lunch.
Head west to Goondiwindi, with a rest stop in Inglewood. Goondiwindi is located on the New South Wales border, at the junction of six highways, and on the banks of the MacIntyre River - reached by explorer Allan Cunningham in 1827. The local economy is based on beef, wool, cotton, and wheat. Sites to see in town include the statue of the famous racehorse Gunsynd - the 'Goondiwindi Grey'; Historic Victoria Hotel; tours of local grain depots and cotton gins; and a pleasant walking track along the river.
Overnight in Goondiwindi.
About the Drive
Duration: 4 hrs 30 mins
Distance: 358 kms
Road Conditions: Sealed
Day 2: Goondiwindi to Cunnamulla
Head off again early, for an approximate 5-hour drive today - continuing west through the Western Downs region to Cunnamulla.
On the way through Nindigully, check out the historic hotel from 1863.
Make your lunch stop in St George, on the banks of the Balonne River. St George is one of the last towns in Southern Queensland before arriving in the sparsely populated and empty areas of the Outback. St George is a popular fishing spot, with various rivers and lakes close by. It is also a growing region for grape and peanut cultivation. Include a visit to Riversands Vineyards if time permits.
For those who have time, and want more of a 4WD experience, head south-west after St George to detour to Culgoa Floodplain National Park, via various 4WD tracks. The Park is 130km south-west of Dirranbandi, and is only accessible to 4WD. Campers must take their own provisions. The Park sits amidst Mulga country and features great birdlife. Camp here for the night.
For the less adventurous, or those with less time, continue driving west after departing St George towards Cunnamulla. On the way, make a stop in Bollon and try to spot a koala in the trees along the Wallan Creek - the home to a large koala population.
Arrive in Cunnamulla late afternoon and overnight here.
About the Drive
Duration: 5 hrs 45 mins
Distance: 498 kms
Road Conditions: Sealed bitumen; or unsealed roads/tracks if you take the 4WD alternative via the national park.
Day 3: Cunnamulla to Thargomindah
Spend the morning in Cunnamulla, Queensland's largest wool-loading station, with two million sheep in the area.
Follow the Cunnamulla Heritage Trail to uncover history and experience the unique character of the town. Get a taste of the beauty of the South West at a local photographic exhibition at Stephanie Mills Gallery.
The Paroo Pioneer Pathways and Riverwalk include a sunset viewing deck. Visit the 'Robber's Tree' - part of the Heritage Trail and the Bi-centennial Museum.
Continue west to the friendly town of Eulo. Capture the aromas and flavours of the unique date wines at Australia's most remote winery. Visit a date farm, take a mud bath. Learn about the legends surrounding the Eulo Queen.
Also worth a visit in town are the Paroo Race Track (site of the annual World Lizard Racing Championships); the general store that stocks everything imaginable; the Bilby Burrow; and a series of short self-guided walking trails.
Take a short detour off the main road to Thargomindah to visit the friendly opal town of Yowah where you can get some tips from the locals before trying your luck fossicking for your own opals.
Take in the views from the Bluff Lookout. Enjoy a short detour out to the beautiful Lake Bindegolly National Park, where you can follow a short walking circuit or simply take in the serenity from the observation point before rejoining the highway and travelling on to Thargomindah for the night. Caravan park and motel accommodation available in town.
Note: an alternative drive for keen 4WD and nature enthusiasts, is to head approx 122 km south after Eulo along 4WD tracks to Currawinya National Park for most of the day, before arriving in Thargomindah for the night.
Check road conditions before departure. If you take this alternative route add an extra approx 5 hrs and 150 km to today's journey, or if time allows, include an extra night camping in the national park.
Currawinya National Park's lakes, rivers and wetlands are a striking contrast to the harsh sandplains and rocky ranges of semi-arid south-western Queensland. These wetlands are among the most important inland waterbird habitats in Australia. Spend the day exploring the wonders of this national park, and keep an eye out for bilbies.
About the Drive
Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Distance: 198 kms
Road Conditions: Sealed bitumen; or unsealed roads/tracks if you take the 4WD alternative via the national park
Day 4: Thargomindah to Innamincka
Get up early and explore the township of Thargomindah this morning. Learn how the power of the artesian water was harnessed to provide the town's electricity in the late 1800s. Amble along the Bulloo River Walk, discover the treasures of Leahy Historic House and shop for Bulloo Built souvenirs crafted from weathered timbers reclaimed from surrounding stations.
Leave early enough though for the drive to Innamincka - just across the South Australian border. The road starts as sealed bitumen for approximately the first 200km; then from here on in the rest of this journey is on unsealed roads/tracks only suitable for 4WD. Ensure you are prepared for driving in the Outback and semi-desert regions. Take plenty of provisions with you, including fresh water.
Just before arriving at the Queensland-South Australian border, you will reach the famous historic Burke & Wills 'Dig Tree' site on the banks of Cooper Creek, where the Burke & Wills expedition ended in tragedy, and the site of their original graves. Just outside of Innamincka, stop to view the Aboriginal rock carvings at Cullyamurra Waterhole on the Cooper Creek.
Continue on to Innamincka for the night. Innamincka is a tiny old settlement, originally built as a trading post at the head of the Strzelecki Track. Local information is available from the Innamincka Hotel. Stockmen and Afghan camel traders thrived in this area in early times. Cooper Creek hosts extraordinary and diverse birdlife and excellent fishing. The 13,800 sq km Innamincka Regional Reserve Park covers vast expanses of sandy desert and arid plains, it is an oasis of striking contrast where you can boat along a gum-shaded creek, explore historic sites or fish and swim in one of the area's many waterholes.
To camp in the Park you must be in possession of a current Desert Parks Pass or an Innamincka Regional Reserve camping permit. Or stay the night in the historic Innamincka Hotel, a living monument to Australia's outback past.
About the Drive
Duration: 5 hrs 30 mins
Distance: 317 kms
Road Conditions: Mostly unsealed road
Day 5 & 6: Innamincka to Birdsville
Have a look around Innamincka in the morning before heading off. Visit the re-built Australian Inland Mission hostel, now the National Parks office.
Before setting off this morning, ensure you've checked road conditions and gained local information in regards to the best option for today's journey to Birdsville. It is suggested to break the journey with a night camping along the way to make a more relaxing and enjoyable trip. There are no townships or accommodation on the way; camp overnight where suitable. If road conditions are good though, you can travel today's journey in one day.
You can take the longer, more adventurous 4WD track south via the Moomba Gasfield and west across to join the Birdsville Track, before heading north to Birdsville. Or, you can head directly north via the Innamincka Regional Reserve to the Birdsville Developmental Road, across the border back in Queensland, and then west to Birdsville.
Make sure you have enough provisions and fresh water for 2 days driving, and enough petrol to get you to Birdsville; there is nowhere to purchase supplies before arriving at Birdsville. It is also recommended to take extra spare tyres, petrol, water, oil and spare parts when travelling in these areas.
Your journey ends in Birdsville, with a well-earned drink at the famous Birdsville Pub. Birdsville is also famous for the Birdsville Races that occur annually on the first Friday and Saturday in September, when the town's population jumps from 100 to around 6,000 people for the event.
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1300 898 202 getmeouttahere@rentarig.com.au |
