Rodeo Road Trip from Brisbane via the Matilda Highway

From the south-east corner of Queensland, head west from Brisbane along the Warrego Highway to experience Charleville.  This delightful town is home to the Cosmos Centre and Observatory where by day you can get up close and personal at the new Bilby Experience, and by night come close to the Milky Way, stars, the moon and more.

From Charleville join the Matilda Highway travelling north.  Be sure to stop in Tambo for the world famous Tambo Teddies and don’t miss Ben’s Chicken Racing at sunset at the Royal Carrangarra Hotel in Tambo’s main street.

Heading north you’ll come to Blackall, a region steeped in the history of the wool industry. Explore the Blackall Woolscour and find the legend of Jackie Howe immortalised in a statue in town.  According to legend, Jackie was wearing a navy blue singlet top on the day he broke a world shearing record.  Locals have shared he ripped the sleeves off his shirt to impress the ladies with his brute strength. Be sure to capture a sunset shot at the roly poly sculpture on the Blackall Sculpture Trail.

Onroute north you’ll find the garden town of Barcaldine the home of the Tree of Knowledge. From Barcaldine, drop in for a coldie or coffee at The Wellshot Hotel bursting with character in Ilfracombe.

Onto Longreach, unwind at the new Mitchell Grass Retreat for some luxury glamping and take in the new sound and lightshow at the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame. This is the heart of Outback Queensland with many tours and experiences from Longreach and be sure to buy your boots and outback gear for rodeo.

Heading north you’ll find the Winton region immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s Waltzing Matilda. Explore the Waltzing Matilda Centre and the region’s.ancient landscapes.  It’s here you can unearth dinosaur fossils from a prehistoric era at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs and Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways.  Did you know, the Discovery Channel’s Opal Hunters was filmed in Opalton, just over an hour south-west of Winton.

Then head north west from Winton to Mount Isa for four days of non-stop rodeo action.

Be sure to drop in and say "G'day" to our mates at one of the official Outback Queensland Visitor Information Centres for all the low down on what to see and where to stay.