Classic Outback Pubs – if only the walls could talk! They are the center of many country communities – where famous poems have been penned and tall stories have evolved into folklore and Queensland has plenty of them. Our tour takes us west for to Cunnamulla, then north to Charleville and home through Roma and Dalby!
Departing this morning from near Roma Street, Brisbane we embark on our Classic Pubs of Southern Outback Queensland tour. Our first stop this morning is at The Barn & Scotty’s Garage where we can step back in time and take a look through the automotive and memorabilia collection, along with the restored 50’s style diner. Next, we are off to Warwick for lunch at the Criterion Hotel. On arrival in Stanthorpe we have arranged a locally guided tour of the town before settling into our overnight accommodation. Dinner tonight is at O’Mara’s Hotel. The hotel was built in 1910 and still has the “olde world charm” that made it a big part of Stanthorpe’s history. There is even a resident ghost that still makes an appearance now and then! Overnight: High Street Motor Inn, Stanthorpe (L,D)
From Stanthorpe we head to the little town of Texas. It’s a small town of less than 1000 people located just 2 kms north of the NSW Border. On arrival we visit the Texas Rabbit Works, this was a thriving industry when rabbits were in plague proportions throughout the district. Like many communities in the southern parts of Australia, the Texas community survived the great depression by trapping and selling rabbits for export to America and England. Officially opened in May 2017, The Texas Rabbit Works continues to record the history of the rabbit industry both locally and nationally. This is largely an intact example of the struggle to control the rabbit plague and the industry that developed. Next we visit the Texas Heritage Centre and Tobacco Museum. This offers a fascinating insight into the interesting history of the local area. It has numerous buildings to explore from a mini Shearing Shed, Harness Shed, Jail and Stocks, Smithy, Post Office Store, Farm Shed, to the Mission Hall. There is also a School Room with the teacher aids of many decades ago! We then travel to Goondiwindi or “Gundy” as the locals call it. Apart from being right on the Queensland/NSW Border it is at the junction of a number of major Highways including the Newell which runs all the way to Victoria. Dinner tonight is at the historic Victoria Hotel. What started out as a modest, single story wooden building with a shingle roof is now one of the most outstanding examples of architecture in Southern Queensland. Overnight: Goondiwindi Jolly Swagman Inn (B,D)
We have just 200ks of travelling to do today as we make our way to St George. Before departing Goondiwindi we will be joined on the coach by our local guide to show us around, including a stop at the Customs House Museum, a border customs point before Federation. This authentically restored building and its magnificent cottage garden has a colourful collection of mementos of yesteryear. For lunch we stop at the Nindigully Hotel on our way to St George and have a look at the Cotton Mural and the Transport Mural painted by well-known artist Kevin Taylor. This afternoon we join Sandytown River Cruises for an enjoyable cruise on the Balonne River, taking in the beautiful river gums, landscaping and birdlife. Overnight: The Merino Motor Inn, St George (B,L,D)
300 kilometres to our west is the town of Cunnamulla – made famous by the Slim Dusty song The Cunnamulla Fella. The township of Cunnamulla was created by Cobb & Co on 3rd September 1879 when the first coach drove through from Bourke. Today it’s the only surviving south-west town along the original route. We enjoy lunch at the Club Boutique Hotel. This pub has the unusual distinction of being rebuilt twice – once after a tornado in 1892 and gain after a devastating fire in 1933. On both occasions it was restored to its former glory and continues to hold a prominent place in the town. This afternoon we visit the Cunnamulla Fella Museum and see the amazing phenomenon in the Artesian Time Tunnel. The tunnel incorporates an old mine lift which takes us back to 100 million years and down deep into the middle of ancient sandstone rocks that form part of the basin. Late afternoon we arrive in Charleville. 2 Nights: Corones Hotel, Charleville (B,L,D)
Following breakfast we head to a local Date Farm to learn how dates are grown and sample some of the dates for our morning tea. Back in town we meet our local guide who will take us on a town tour learning of the fires, floods and pioneer history of this iconic town. We also visit the remains of the WWII Top Secret Base established by the Americans in 1942. This afternoon we enjoy the Charleville Bilby Experience. Here, our guide will reveal Australia’s native animal extinction crisis, discover the breeding program and hopefully see the unique little creatures. Tonight we are in for a treat at Charleville’s best known attraction, the Cosmos Centre. The centre is an audio-visual extravaganza featuring hi-tech interactive displays that will take us on an astronomical journey through the ages, unravelling many mysteries of our night sky. (B,D)
Heading east this morning to Mitchell our local guide joins us for a town tour, followed by lunch and some free time at the Visitor Centre. The option is available for anyone to take a soak in the Artesian Spa located within the complex. This afternoon we take a look at the heritage-listed Mount Abundance Homestead. Discover the first post office in the Roma district and visit the underground cellar lined with locally handmade bricks before a pleasant afternoon tea on the veranda. 2 Nights: Best Western Bungil Creek, Roma (B,L,D)
Heading south this morning we make our way to Surat for a visit to the Cobb & Co Changing Station Museum which was once the drop off point for coach passengers and goods. Next, we will be heading to Roma’s Big Rig. Here we journey through time from Australia’s first discovery of petroleum, through the boom-and-bust years of oil and gas exploration. Late afternoon we take our seats for the Sunset Experience. Ignite your interest in sabotage, drama and intrigue through the eyes of a ‘Roma Rigger’ guide, with a glass of Outback port, an original short history film under the stars followed by a slightly later dinner the White Bull Tavern. (B,D)
From Roma we travel via Miles & Chinchilla and head to Dalby for our morning stop at the Visitor Centre and some time to look at Thomas Jack Park. We have just over an hour’s drive to the Farmers Arms Hotel located just north of Toowoomba. This is the oldest continually licensed pub in all of Queensland and will be a fitting location for us to have our final lunch together before we start heading home and arrive back in Brisbane late afternoon. (B,L)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner
| Twin Share | Sole Use | Departs 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| $2940 | $3360 | 23 Sep |
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