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Looking for some real adventure this September school holidays?

What could be more Australian than a family road trip holiday? The joy of the open road, sprawling blue horizons, the hugging red earth guiding you as you traverse through our vast and spectacular country…

Exploring Outback Queensland is the perfect family experience – fun-filled, educational, and rich in history and culture. There’s something for everyone – of all ages and stages.

We’ve highlighted the top five destinations to explore while on route to Australia’s Dinosaur Capital…Winton! We’d love to work with you on a feature to inform families of these must-visit destinations – please see below.

Roma:

Experience a slice of Roma’s history at the newly opened Big Rig and follow the story of the town’s oil and gas pioneers with exhibits, machinery displays, audio-visual features, led by knowledgeable local ‘Roma Rigger’ guides. Immerse in the Big Rig Night Show Sunset Experience and watch the stars come into focus as an original short history film plays in the outdoor theatre with a tasty drop of outback port in hand (for those of age!). While you’re there, take a walk along the Avenue of Heroes – Roma’s tribute to the servicemen lost during the First World War, and stop by Meadowbank Museum with its significant collection of farming implements – also the ideal spot for camping, caravans and motor homes. Follow Roma’s Historic Walk to see the Roma Courthouse where Harry Redford aka Captain Starlight stood trial and the School of Arts Building, which was used as a lookout for enemy aircraft during the Second World War.

Charleville:

It’s written in the stars, let the guiding light lead you to the largest town in Murweh Shire, Charleville. View the wonders of the night sky at the Charleville Cosmos Centre & Observatory and be transported to infinity and beyond. Get up close and personal with Australia’s iconic bilbies and you may even get the chance to touch their soft fur. If you can keep a secret, enlist yourself in the interactive and educational WWII Secret Base and experience what it was like for 3500 United States Army Air Force personnel stationed in Charleville in 1943 – you can even command your own bombing mission from inside a simulation. If you’re more of a peace keeper and looking to be one with nature, join along the Outback Native Timber Walk which showcases all the local native trees around a pond where birds love to convene.

Quilpie:

A town renowned for its exquisite boulder opal, Quilpie is littered with radiant stone emanating the beauty that dwells beneath the surface. While in town, you can see the magnificent Opal Altar at St Finbarr’s Church or try your hand at the free opal fossicking area. Indulge in a hearty meal at the Quilpie Heritage Inn and take a trip to Baldy Top to watch a sensational sunset paint the sky. Uncover the caves and crevices of the landmark as you take in the panoramic landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Bask in the beauty of the Australian outback from a new perspective and fall in love with the natural beauty that’s been a million years in the making (literally!).

Longreach:

If you’re on the move early in the morning, the family can get a quick fix at a variety of cafes or eateries in Longreach. After a relaxed brekky, head to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame to wander the museum galleries, watch ‘A Stockman’s Tale’ cinematic experience and enjoy the Outback Stockman’s Show. In the afternoon, take a 20-minute drive to Ilfracombe where you can walk the Machinery Mile and the tuck into refreshments, lunch or dinner at the historic Wellshot Hotel. Depending on how long you’re staying, the next day you can get the heart pumping with a 45-minute morning stagecoach ride in a resorted Cobb & Co Stagecoach. Follow this up with some traditional bush theatre at The Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show. Head up the road to the Qantas Founders Museum for lunch and a wander through the museum and original hangar. You can also join a 707/747 Jet tour, Wing Walk or have a go at a Flight Simulator.

Winton:

Winton, otherwise known as Australia’s Dinosaur Capital, is home to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs exhibit which boasts the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the Southern Hemisphere. Offering world-class, interactive guided tours for the whole family to enjoy, this is a mind-blowing experience that will captivate the whole family from beginning to end. While you’re on the trail, travel back in time 95 million years with a vision to the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park. Here you’ll find over 3,300 stampeding footprints immortalised in stone, marking the site of the only known dinosaur stampede on the planet. Embrace the timeless stories and spirit of Australia with a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre – the first museum in the world dedicated to a song. Immerse in interpretive art displays illustrating the cultural and aesthetic riches of the region abounding in stories of the days gone by.