If you’re looking for an action packed authentic outback camping holiday this Easter holidays that the whole family will enjoy, you can’t go past a trip to the Quilpie Shire.
Wednesday
Arrive in Quilpie on Wednesday 13th April around 2pm. Make your first stop the Quilpie Visitor Information Centre and pick up all the local information and maps you might need while you are here. Make sure you also get your National Park’s camping pass (we will tell you why below).
Step back in time in the Shire Museum and enjoy the current exhibition in the Shire Gallery attached to the Information Centre. Also pop into the Military Museum & Rail Museums, both located next door to the Centre. Make sure you book your tickets at the front desk for Thursday nights showing of their new Night Show.
After learning all about Quilpie Shire History, head to your accommodation and set up.
Located on the banks of the beautiful Lake Houdraman, 4km east of Quilpie you will find ‘The Lake’. A unique farm stay meets caravan park meets rustic lodge with accommodation options catering to every traveller’s desire. The Lake’s main site is on the eastern side of the actual lake itself. Here you will find powered sites plus plenty of unpowered shady campsites amongst this beautiful bush setting.
If you’d prefer to stay in town itself, head to the Channel Country Tourist Park & Spa’s.
Picture this. It’s been a long day exploring the Quilpie Shire. You’re tired, feet hurt from walking and you need to relax! Well these guys have got just the thing for you….outdoor artesian spas!
They also have powered and unpowered sites, camp kitchen, fantastic facilities and the down to earth hospitality you can only find in the Outback.
Once you have put up the camper or parked the van, be prepared for a magical afternoon as you head out to Baldy Top Lookout for the best views around. A quick walk up Baldy Top and you will be rewarded with 360 views of our beautiful landscape and the most spectacular sunset.
Thursday
Start today off in the most magical way by taking in the sunrise as you canoe along the picturesque Lake Houdraman. Watch as the sun breaks through the large river red gums that line the bank, glistening on the still water as the birdlife comes alive with the morning.
For the remainder of the day, take in the attractions and sites of Quilpie. Visit the powerhouse and airport mini museums, take a stroll along the Bulloo River Walk, fossick for opal or head to St. Finbarr’s Church to admire the Opal Altar.
In the afternoon take a dip at the local swimming pool and be pleasantly surprised that it is FREE.
In the evening, take your seat on the expansive green space in front of the supersized outdoor screen at the Visitor Information Centre for the brand new Quilpeta Night Show. Meet your digital host, Q the Stone Curlew who will guide you through an interactive journey of the story of Quilpie stepping back some 95 million years ago. Along the way you’ll meet giant Titanosaurs Cooper and George and learn about the Quilpie’s First Nation Maranganji people. You’ll discover the colourful Boulder Opal story and early pastoral settlements. It’s a wonderful introduction to Quilpie, it’s people and the beauty of the Channel Country. Complimentary drinks & nibbles from 6.00pm, show starts at 6:30pm
Friday
Today you are heading 106km west to the furthest town from the sea, Eromanga. But don’t let the threat of remoteness put you off, there is so much to do in this little town and the whole family is going to love it.
Arrive at the Eromanga Natural History Museum at around 10:30am so you can grab a coffee at their café. Then join the 9am tour and spend the next hour or so learning about Australia’s Largest Dinosaur that was found just west of Eromanga. To get an extra special experience with the family we recommend booking a family prep session where one your Australian Dinosaur Giants Tour ends you can join the Museum’s fossil Technicians in the Workshop and get hands on with an hour of Preparation on the fossils. You could be working on a 90 million year old Dinosaur or a 100,000 year old Megafauna.
After the tour take a drive 40km north of Eromanga and visit Kyabra waterhole. For those eager fishermen, throw in a line and try your luck at catching a yellowbelly. This is also a perfect spot for a picnic lunch. Keep an eye out for the vibrant red sandhills on the side of the road as you go.
When you come back to town stop at the Eromanga Caravan park and set up your accommodation for the night, then head to the Royal Hotel, an original Eromanga hotel with a long and fascinating history and with nice cold refreshing beverages! This is also a great spot for dinner.
Saturday
This morning wake up and grab a delicious breaky from the Cafe at the Caravan Park. Then grab the key for the Living History Museum from the office.
After a look through the Museum head out to the Rodeo grounds to take in all the action of the Campdraft. Before you get too comfy make sure you set up your campsite, there is plenty of space and it is free to camp with showers and toilets at the grounds. You can also grab lunch from the canteen.
In the afternoon get your seats around the arena as the best cowboys in the west battle the 8 second clock for the win.
In the evening enjoy some dinner, dancing and entertainment amongst the red dirt and that chilled atmosphere the outback is famous for. Then spend the most magical night camping under the stars in the town furthest from the sea!
Sunday
Wake to sun rising on the flat open plain and hopefully a little something from a certain fluffy rabbit! HAPPY EASTER. Enjoy the welcome smell of BBQ’s and Bacon wafting from the canteen and head over for a hearty breakfast and a delicious coffee to start the day.
Take in some last minute campdrafting action before packing up camp and heading to the ‘Pub with no town’ – Toompine for all the action of their annual Easter Clay Target Gunshoot.
When you arrive at Toompine set up camp so you can enjoy another night under the stars.
Then spend the day catching all the action of the gun shoot as the targets shatter. Sunday-Funday takes on a whole new meaning in the afternoon and evening as the novelty events are in full swing. Nothing but good times and belly laughs with bar and canteen in operation.
Monday
Today your itinerary takes you 175km north to Adavale.
When you arrive in the metropolis of Adavale, with its large population of 15, you may not think an establishment would offer high teas, but you are about to be pleasantly surprised.
The Elegant Emu, a quaint, quirky little patisserie in down town Adavale is where you will meet Cristina, the creator of the incredible delicacies you are about to devour. Choose from a high tea experience or a premium morning tea, prior bookings are essential but take my word for it…TOTALLY WORTH IT.
After your Elegant Emu experience hit the road for another 70km to Hell Hole Gorge National Park. If you thought the Elegant Emu was a surprise you never thought you’d find in outback Queensland then wait until you see the incredible gorges and waterholes of Hell Hole.
The park offers plenty of opportunities to explore and bushwalk, 4WD, birdwatch and swim. For budding photographers you will be spoilt for choice for subjects from the landscape, sunsets, wildlife and birds that call the park home.
Camping permits are available through Queensland National Parks and can also be booked at the Quilpie Visitor Information Centre. We recommend staying 2 nights to fully appreciate all the beauty that this area has to offer.
Whether you choose to follow the itinerary or even base yourself in Quilpie over the weekend and travel to the towns and events we know that the only place to be this Easter is the Quilpie Shire and we can’t wait to greet you in a few weeks.
