If you are looking for a Longreach road trip, then this is the article for you. And finding the location of Longreach is super easy. Simply pull out a map of Queensland and pop your finger in the middle of the state and you’ve located the ‘gateway to the outback’.
Located approximately 700 kilometres from the coast, west of Rockhampton, the town is named after the “long reach” of the Thomson River on which it is situated.
There’s a heap of well-known must do’s when heading out to Longreach or as it is affectionately known, the ‘heart’ of Queensland. Think The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and QANTAS Founders Museum. However, before you get distracted by those big-ticket spots, you cannot miss experiencing tasting farm life in the REAL Australian outback.
To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve uncovered a heap of family friendly experiences each with its own unique way to immerse your family in the best of the outback. From working on real cattle and sheep farms, to trying bush tucker and learning local indigenous medicine, there’s something for every family. For tired parents needing some well-deserved R&R, we’ve even found a treetop artesian bath! Read on for more details about these must do taste of outback farm life experiences.
Longreach and surrounds attractions map
Below is the map of where to find these Longreach & surrounds tourist attractions that we mention in our article
Visit Dunraven Station on a ‘Barcaldine Tag Along Tour’
First up, we recommend a visit to Dunraven Station, a 25,000-ha sheep, cattle and goat farm near Barcaldine. The property has been in the hands of the Doneley family since 1909 so they have plenty of stories to share.
Dunraven Station owners Peter and Roberta conduct their ‘Barcaldine Tag Along Tours’ that generally take place over three hours on Tuesday and Friday mornings during the winter months (weather permitting).
What makes this tour different to others offered in the area is that it’s a 30km driving tour. As the tour is “off road”, an AWD/4WD is preferred and two-ways radios are used to share information while you explore the property.
Every tour is different, but they usually stop to see farm activities from shearing to mustering and fencing depending on the season. Peter is a wealth of knowledge about the flora and fauna, soil types and the stocking and management of Dunraven over the years. The family loves sharing the challenges and joys of outback life with visitors. During your visit, you may even get the chance to feed the animals such as baby lambs, depending on the season.
After the tour, you get to relax at the shearing shed and enjoy Roberta’s “famous” smoko over tales and stories of the wool industry and see the collection of property memorabilia.
Contact: Bookings are essential – Ph 0427 511 651 or email [email protected]
Address: 1362 Barcaldine Isisford Road, Barcaldine, 4725
Facebook: Visit their Facebook page here.
Discover Camden Park Station
A trip to Camden Park Station comes with bragging rights! After all, it’s not every day you get to walk in the footsteps of royalty. Your friends will be super impressed to know that the Queen and Prince Phillip have toured this working sheep and cattle station also in Longreach, Queensland.
Camden Park Station offers an exclusive bush camping experience with one-acre camping sites, designed for self-sufficient campers, ensuring you get to make the most of the outback Queensland serenity on this 18,000-acre working sheep and cattle station.
During your visit, you can explore the Swagman’s Grave, the historic ‘dry bottom’ Chinaman’s Well, and the oldest private ballroom in the outback (built in 1927) made of jarrah wood and featuring an exquisite Chandelier.
You can also see Longreach’s highest lookout, with 360-degree views without any man-made infrastructure in sight. Look out over Longreach and Ilfracombe and see the towns as they light up at night. The sunsets are superb, breathtaking—the sky and stars crystal clear.
At Camden Park Station you’ll get to meet Outback Dan and the Walker family who have owned Camden Park Station for more than 100 years. The Walker family must see thousands of people each year, yet they made us feel like we were the first visitors they’d seen. These are down-to-earth country folk, enthusiastic about their history, family and lifestyle.
And what a history they have! Sir James Walker arrived in Australia from Scotland as a 16-year-old young man with a swag on his back and a passion for cattle and agriculture. He acquired some land and set about to make his own opportunities as he saw fit. As you take the drive into Longreach, you will notice Sir James Walker Drive, an honour bestowed on Sir Walker for his connection to community including helping to establish The Stockman’s Hall of Fame and QANTAS Founders Museum.
You can join in on one of Camden Park Station’s guided tours and see the solar farm (the property is now home to 55,000 solar panels), walk through the historical homestead gardens, shearing shed, and cattle yards then tour the farm. Once you’ve explored the natural landscape, you’ll be treated to a scrumptious morning tea with the Walker family. Make sure you come with a big appetite, as the delicious morning tea comes with plenty of scones, date loaf, fruit, tea or coffee.
There’s also the option to book a night tour where you get to enjoy dinner under the stars. This is one of those experiences that stands out from the rest.
Book a tour of Camden Park Station at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame or via Outback Aussie Tours.
Address: 10km outside of Longreach on the Landsborough Highway towards Ilfracombe
Website: Visit the Camden Park Station website here.
Facebook: Visit their Facebook page here.
Experience ‘Nogo Station” with Outback Pioneers
If spotting a white kangaroo is on your bucket list, a trip to Nogo Station may tick that box for you! On the station tour you’ll travel deep into life in the outback with fascinating insights from your Kinnon-family host. See Captain Starlight’s legendary stockyards, discover the Merino story in the historic shearing sheds and go on station safari by open-top, double-decker, overlander bus.
Nogo Station is just a short 15-minute drive from town and is a massive 32,000 acre property. On arrival, you will be taken into the shearing sheds, where you’ll get a history of the station, hear a little about the merino industry and then get a shearing demonstration. The kids will love seeing all the cute and noisy sheep, as well as the herding dogs show off their tricks.
Then it’s time to jump in the open-air double decker bus to tour the expansive property. Make a beeline for the second floor and plug in your headset so you can hear the commentary and learn even more about the history of Nogo Station. Can you believe Nogo is called that because back in the day, you couldn’t get there during the wet season, so it was a “no go”? True story!
On the sunlit plains you can spot native, domestic and feral animals that call the outback home including a white kangaroo spotted in April 2022. Keep your eyes peeled while on tour because as well as kangaroos and wallabies, you may be lucky enough to see feral camels and donkeys too! Then before heading back to town, you’ll park up along a creek, under the gum trees and enjoy a saddlebag lunch with billy tea.
The half-day tour of Nogo Station is the perfect way for parents and kids alike to get a real taste of what farm life is like in the outback. The guides are fantastic and given they live and work on the property, you get a truly authentic experience – expect a few dad jokes and “yarns” along the way.
Address: 128 Eagle St, Longreach, 4730
Website: Visit their website and find the tour here.
Facebook: Visit their Facebook page here.
Unwind at Shandonvale Station
If you haven’t spent time on an outback station, then you really haven’t truly experienced Queensland. Shandonvale Station is located a short 1.5 hours drive from Longreach stretching across 15,000 acres. The property boasts a huge variety of animals for kids to pat, cuddle, feed, herd, fish, watch or just admire from a distance. From camels to pigs, cattle, donkeys, sheep, emus, deer, echidnas, goats, chickens and horses, there’s plenty of animals to capture every child’s heart.
Lane and Deon are your hosts and they have recently renovated the charming 100-year old shearer’s quarters into the ultimate luxury accommodation option so your family can stay on station. Only one group can stay at any one time at the quarters, accommodating anywhere from one to eight people. That way you have the run of the place to yourself and Shandonvale Station can tailor your visit to your interests.
On arrival, you will find a station produce breakfast basket, which changes with the season, and typically includes fresh organic milk and butter from the house cow Milly, nitrate-free old style home-smoked bacon, grass-fed dorper lamb or bore goat chops, camel sausages or pork cutlets, seasonal herbs from the garden, perky eggs from the station laying hens, a loaf of home baked bread and homemade jams and relish. It is delicious!
Shandonvale Station offers a true paddock-to-plate experience where you can get a hands-on experience of humanely harvesting an animal and preparing it for the table.
During your stay you can explore the bush, go fishing, fly in a chopper, have a shoot at the gun range or herd sheep in a buggy, or simply build a campfire to enjoy with your family.
Last but definitely not least, Shandonvale Station has a treetop artesian bath! Yes, you read that right! Shandonvale boasts a mineral-rich bathing experience sure to relax even the most overworked muscles. Pop some champagne from the comfort of your outback escape and drink in those views!
Address: Politic Rd, Ingberry, 4726
Website: Visit the Shandonvale Station website here.
Facebook: Visit their Facebook page here.
Escape to Turraburra with Yachatdac
If you are looking for a truly unique holiday experience unlike anything you’ll find in Australia you have to visit Turraburra, also known as ‘Gracevale Station’. Turraburra occupies an area of 8,870 hectares and is located 120km north of Barcaldine in central-western Queensland.
You may have enjoyed other indigenous tourism activities, but have you ever tried “guesting on-country”? “Guesting” on Turraburra gives you the chance to get a hands-on insight into local culture, history and practices of the Traditional peoples from the country.
During your visit you can participate in a variety of experiences, activities and tours. At the ‘gallery walk’ you’ll get to see some of the oldest Aboriginal artwork in the region, if not Australia.
Depending on the timing of your visit you can try seasonal harvesting and bush foods such as bush bananas, lemon grass, quinine and blackberies. Experience one of the epic sunrise or sunset tours and see some of the most amazing night skies perfect for star gazing. Keep an eye out for The Dark Emu Constellations and the Seven Sisters Story (Indigenous astronomy). You’ll also get a chance to participate in a good old cultural learning yarn around the campfire.
If you like to get crafty, you can give artifact making such as clap sticks a go. A visit to Turraburra gives families the perfect opportunity to disconnect from technology and re-connect through Country.
Contact: The best method is to book direct by phone 07 4651 0700 / 0438 766 704 or email [email protected].
Address: Turraburra is located 120km north of Barcaldine
Website: Visit the Yachatdac website here.
Facebook: Visit their Facebook page here.
Longreach road trip
So, there you have it! The hidden gems on our Longreach road trip for your family to experience a taste of outback farm life.
Adventures such as these expose children to important eye-opening experiences of life outside the big smoke. It also gives your family the chance to connect with the natural beauty of our wonderful country and of course, you won’t find finer folk than those who work the land. We keep hearing that we need to support our farmers, and this is surely one of the best ways to do just that. Head out for a taste of farm life near Longreach.
Switch off your phone, hit the road and escape with your family into the outback to make memories that will last a lifetime. You won’t regret it.
Looking for more fun road trips to do in Queensland with kids?
- Brisbane to Airlie Beach road trip
- Brisbane to Rockhampton road trip
- Brisbane to Byron Bay road trip
- Brisbane to Hervey Bay road trip
- Brisbane to Bundaberg road trip
- Brisbane to Cairns road trip
- Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast road trip
- Road trip from Townsville to the Outback
- Townsville to Porcupine Gorge
- Bundaberg and North Burnett road trip
- South-western Queensland road trip
Check out these day trips from Queensland cities and towns
- Day trips from Bundaberg
- Day trips from Mackay
- Day trips from Toowoomba
- Day trips from Cairns
- Day trips from Townsville
You can find all our Queensland content here.
