Country Road, Take Me Home...

I have a deep connection to outback Queensland - my family is from there and my great grandfather is buried near Charleville.

It’s a devastating thing, to witness the decline of what were once thriving little towns in the outback.

They are the towns from my childhood. I used to pass through and see the main street bustling with people, enjoying their day.

Now, I drive through these same towns, and the shops are boarded up, with ‘for lease’ signs. There are a handful of people on the street. 

It’s not what it once was.

But, for some towns in the outback, the opposite is happening.

We are seeing growth in some areas that are becoming more popular for tourists. 

In our Outback Tours, we take you through both - the towns in decline, that need your support, and LOVE visitors.

And these other gems that have risen to stardom with visitors, because they have special things to offer.

We’ll start with our Outback Adventure Tour. 

Birdsville 

Birdsville is a perfect example of a town that wasn’t really on the map 15 years ago, but has shot to stardom, due to events like the Big Red Bash. They also put on a great race day.

Situated right at the gateway to the Simpson Desert tracks, it’s a funny little town. You’ll be driving along, observing a lot of red dirt, thinking you’ve had a gutful of driving - and then this thing just turns up. A town, in the middle of nowhere.

Following federation it fell into decline, after functioning as a toll collection point. But over the years it’s character and charm have become more widely known and people now travel from far and wide to be there.

Take a photo with the weathered sandstone walls of the Birdsville Hotel.

Or head down to the billabong for a dip - and if you're into bird watching make sure you take your binoculars. 

Visit the sand dunes, or even see it from the air, with one of the local tour providers. 

The choice is yours!

Ray Station

This place is just something else. 

Each time I go there (and it’s been a couple!) I learn something new, hear a different story.

The owners have been there for generations, and their passion for family and the station’s history is evident from the moment you arrive.

They welcome us into their home and give us a glimpse into their life. It’s an experience you won’t get anywhere else. 

If you want to learn more about this precious piece of Australian history, read the book ‘Kings in Grass Castles’ - it’s written by Mary Durack, a distant relative of the owners of the station.

William Creek 

Current population: 16.

Pubs: 1. But it’s a cracker.

This town epitomises outback life. The people, the pub, the land. 

It lies within the world’s largest pastoral station, Anna Creek, which at its peak was 34, 000 sq. km, almost half the size of Tasmania.

Being the closest settlement to Lake Eyre North, they are known for their scenic flights over the lake, which you will have the opportunity to do (at your own expense.)

These are just a few of the fantastic places we visit on the Outback Adventure Tour. We also see Wilpena Pound, Blinman, Cunnamulla - and more.

Now, onto our Charleville and Longreach Tour.

Charleville

Charleville feels like a little piece of home. It holds a similar role to Dubbo, in that it’s a central hub for many of the outback towns in Queensland.

But it’s also part of my history (so I’m a bit biased.) My grandparents lived there, in one of the oldest houses in the town. 

My great Uncle also lived three houses down, and was involved with the Cobb and Co Coaches. I used to travel up there all the time from Holbrook, in an old 1950 Austin truck. Later we upgraded to a super modern Holden - both had no air conditioning. 

The place has changed a lot since those days - but the people haven’t. They’re just a good bunch - always welcoming, wanting to have a chat.

It’s got so much to offer. Get an up close and personal tour of the Bilby Centre, where they have a breeding program. Spend the afternoon at the Cosmos Centre and hold meteorites in your hand. Or just explore the town.

Longreach

This town claims the title ‘Heart of the Outback’ - and I won’t take it away from them.

It provides an amazing insight into agricultural life, and what it means to live and work on the land.

Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame is just a well done attraction. It’s very fancy - with it’s audio-visual presentations and impressive collection of artefacts. 

They’ve really embraced their history and kept it alive. One of my favourite activities here is the Cobb and Co Stagecoach ride through the bush scrub. You travel along the original Longreach-Windorah mail route in a restored stagecoach, drawn by five stock horses. You really will feel like you’ve gone back in time. 

The Qantas Founders Museum is also a must see. The Museum tells the story of Qantas from the early days in Outback Queensland to the present day. It focuses on the founding figures of Qantas, life in Outback Queensland in the 1920s - and the advancement and impact of aviation in Australia and the world.

It so happens that 2020 is a birthday for Qantas - with the 100 year milestone! The Museum is on monthly specials and gifts for visitors throughout the year - so you might get lucky and get a free aircraft your!

You can also take a cruise down the Thomson River - a perfect way to end the day, watching the stunning sunset.

Other great stops along the way of this tour are Lightening Ridge, Roma, Winton, Quilpie and Bourke.

The Langley’s difference

There’s so much to love about the Outback.

All the cliché stuff - wide open spaces, great people, time with your thoughts and great pubs. 

We know these places. We know the roads. We know the people.

It’s part of our company's history - these outback tours are our bread and butter. We’ve done them so many times.

It's the real Australia. And we want you to experience it.

If either of these tours tick your boxes - give us a call. We can help you go on your big adventure!