Explore historic country pubs, discover the world-famous Black Opals of Lightning Ridge, cruise the beautiful Balonne River, visit the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, and uncover the rich history of Roma, Charleville, Cunnamulla, St George and Stanthorpe. Along the way, enjoy authentic country hospitality, unique local attractions, comfortable accommodation and expertly guided touring, making this the perfect Australian outback holiday.
Welcome to The Classic Outback Pubs & Black Opal Adventure! Your fully escorted Great Value Holidays journey begins as we depart Brisbane and travel west through the fertile Lockyer Valley, passing Ipswich, Gatton and climbing the Great Dividing Range to the beautiful city of Toowoomba.
Known as Australia’s Garden City, Toowoomba comes alive each September during the world-famous Carnival of Flowers. Enjoy free time to wander through the magnificent floral displays, beautifully landscaped parks and vibrant gardens that attract visitors from across the country. Browse the market stalls, enjoy a coffee, or simply soak up the colourful festival atmosphere before continuing our journey west. Entry and purchases at own expense.
Leaving the Darling Downs behind, the landscape gradually transforms into the wide-open spaces of Outback Queensland as we make our way to Roma, Australia’s largest cattle-selling centre and home to one of Queensland’s richest pioneering histories.
After checking into our accommodation, join your fellow travellers for a delicious welcome dinner and get to know your Great Value Holidays Tour Host and Driver as we prepare for an unforgettable week exploring Queensland’s outback.
Accommodation: Best Western Bungil Creek Hotel, Roma
Included Meals: Dinner
Following breakfast, we visit one of the region’s hidden gems, Mt Abundance Homestead. This beautifully restored heritage property offers a fascinating glimpse into early pastoral life in Outback Queensland. Hosted by the property’s welcoming owners, we’ll explore the original homestead, visit the district’s first post office and discover the remarkable underground cellar constructed from thousands of handmade local bricks. Morning tea is served on the verandah while taking in the peaceful rural surroundings.
Continuing west, we arrive in Mitchell, home to the famous Great Artesian Basin. A knowledgeable local guide joins us for an informative town tour, sharing stories of the pioneers, explorers and industries that shaped this charming outback community.
You’ll then have free time to browse the Visitor Information Centre, purchase lunch, or perhaps enjoy a relaxing soak in the renowned Mitchell Great Artesian Spa (optional), where naturally heated mineral-rich waters bubble to the surface from deep beneath the earth.
This afternoon we continue through changing outback landscapes to the historic town of Charleville, where we’ll spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Mulga Country Motor Inn, Charleville
Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Today is dedicated to exploring one of Outback Queensland’s most iconic towns.
Our local guide brings Charleville’s fascinating history to life as we discover stories of devastating floods, pioneering settlers, bush legends and the important role the town played during World War II. We’ll visit the remains of the secret American military base established in 1942 and learn how thousands of servicemen were stationed here during the war. Enjoy free time to stroll through the town centre, browse local shops and cafés or purchase lunch.
This afternoon we visit the award-winning Charleville Bilby Experience, where passionate conservationists explain Australia’s native wildlife extinction crisis and the remarkable breeding program helping to save the endangered bilby. It’s an inspiring opportunity to meet one of Australia’s most treasured native animals.
After an early dinner at the historic Corones Hotel, one of Outback Queensland’s most famous pubs, we visit the internationally acclaimed Charleville Cosmos Centre. Thanks to Charleville’s incredibly dark skies, this region offers some of Australia’s finest stargazing. Through immersive displays and multimedia presentations, we’ll journey through space and uncover the mysteries of our universe.
Accommodation: Mulga Country Motor Inn, Charleville
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning we travel south to the legendary outback town of Cunnamulla, made famous by Slim Dusty’s classic song “The Cunnamulla Fella.”
Our first stop is the excellent Cunnamulla Fella Museum and Art Gallery, where engaging exhibits showcase the region’s pastoral history, Indigenous heritage and colourful outback characters.
One of today’s highlights is the immersive Artesian Time Tunnel, an underground experience that takes us back millions of years to discover the incredible story of the Great Artesian Basin—one of the largest underground freshwater systems in the world. Through creative displays and visual effects, you’ll gain a fascinating understanding of how this hidden water source transformed life across inland Australia.
We enjoy another Classic Pub, the Club Boutique Hotel, Cunnamulla with time to purchase lunch, before we continue north-east to the riverside town of St George. This pub has the unusual distinction of being rebuilt twice – once after a cyclone 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.
Before arriving at our accommodation, we visit Riversands Winery, Queensland’s most western winery, where we enjoy a tasting of locally produced wines while learning about grape growing in Australia’s challenging inland climate.
Accommodation: Riverland Motor Inn, St George
Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast we admire St George’s famous Cotton and Transport Murals before boarding Sandytown River Cruises for a leisurely cruise along the tranquil Balonne River. Sit back and enjoy the peaceful scenery as your skipper shares stories of the river, local history and abundant birdlife.
Next, we head to one of Australia’s most legendary country pubs—the iconic Nindigully Pub. Established in the 1860s, this historic Cobb & Co coaching stop remains one of Queensland’s oldest hotels still operating in its original location. Enjoy a hearty country lunch and soak up the authentic atmosphere that has made “The Gully” famous throughout Australia.
Travelling through the tiny outback communities of Dirranbandi and Hebel, we cross into New South Wales and arrive in the remarkable mining town of Lightning Ridge.
Known throughout the world as the home of the rare and beautiful Black Opal, Lightning Ridge is unlike anywhere else in Australia. Before checking into our motel, we visit Down to Earth Opals, where you’ll discover stunning jewellery, loose opals and learn what makes these precious gemstones among the world’s most valuable.
Spend the next two nights immersed in the unique character and charm of Australia’s Black Opal Capital.
Accommodation: Wallungulla Motel Lightning Ridge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today we uncover the many fascinating attractions that have made Lightning Ridge famous around the world.
Our morning begins at the Opal Mine Adventure, where we descend underground into an authentic opal mine and learn how miners have searched for these precious gemstones for generations.
We then visit the colourful John Murray Art Gallery, where whimsical paintings celebrating Australian wildlife and outback life have delighted visitors from around the world.
A true highlight is our visit to the extraordinary Chambers of the Black Hand, an incredible underground art gallery carved more than 11 metres beneath the earth. Created by local artist Ron Canlin, this unique attraction features remarkable sandstone sculptures including the Last Supper, Egyptian chambers and Chinese Terracotta Warriors.
Later we visit the Australian Opal Centre and Opal Miners Hall of Fame, celebrating the remarkable history, geology and pioneers of Australia’s opal mining industry.
The remainder of the afternoon is yours to browse Lightning Ridge’s many galleries, opal shops and quirky local attractions.
Accommodation: Wallungulla Motel Lightning Ridge
Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, we farewell Lightning Ridge and begin our journey towards the rich agricultural region of Moree. On arrival, a knowledgeable local guide joins us aboard the coach to share fascinating insights into the area’s thriving cotton industry, broadacre farming and diverse agricultural enterprises that have made Moree one of Australia’s most productive farming regions. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the innovation and irrigation that underpin this important rural community.
Following the tour, you’ll have free time to purchase lunch at the Amaroo Tavern before we continue towards Queensland, travelling via the border town of Texas. Nestled on the banks of the Dumaresq River, Texas has a proud rural heritage centred around sheep and cattle grazing, while today it also supports orchards, cropping, feedlots and a growing tourism industry.
As we travel through this picturesque region, you’ll hear the remarkable story of how the local community endured the hardships of the Great Depression. Like many country towns across southern Australia, families supplemented their income by trapping wild rabbits, which were processed and exported to markets in England and America, providing a vital source of income during difficult times.
Late this afternoon we arrive in the heart of Queensland’s beautiful Granite Belt, where we check into our Stanthorpe accommodation. This evening, enjoy dinner at the historic O’Maras Hotel, Stanthorpe with your fellow travellers as we reflect on the wonderful experiences and friendships made throughout our outback adventure. 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!
Accommodation: High Street Motor Inn, Stanthorpe
Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Our final morning begins with a visit to Gleneden Family Farm, where authentic Australian country life comes alive. Watch a traditional working bullock team in action, discover bush skills from years gone by, and learn about the challenges and rewards of farming in rural Australia. Relax over traditional billy tea and freshly baked damper while enjoying genuine country hospitality.
Travelling through the spectacular Scenic Rim, we’ll stop in the charming township of Boonah for lunch (own expense) before making our way back to Brisbane.
As our Classic Outback Pubs & Black Opal Adventure comes to an end, you’ll leave with wonderful memories, new friendships and a deeper appreciation of the incredible landscapes, history and hospitality that make Outback Queensland and Lightning Ridge such special places to visit.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Great Value Holidays Pty Ltd, ABN 33 140 295 521 is a distributor of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and receives a commission for nib products purchased through Great Value Holidays Pty Ltd. Great Value Holidays Pty Ltd acts as an agent for nib and not as your agent. Great Value Holidays Pty Ltd cannot give advice about nib products, and any factual information provided is not intended to imply a recommendation or opinion about nib products. Before you buy, please read the Product Disclosure Statement, Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. If you have a complaint about a nib product, see the Product Disclosure Statement for the complaints process. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.
– Airfares not included
– Tour cost is per person in a Double or Twin Room. Add $750 for single room
This is an Easy paced tour – Low Level if Fitness required
Travelers must be able to meet the below fitness level requirements or have a carer who is available to assist. GVH Staff are not able to assist with those who have reduced mobility or other health problems. It is Your responsibility to arrange for such a carer if so required:
GVH reserves the right at its discretion to exclude from a tour or to terminate the travel arrangements during the course of the tour without refund, of anyone who is unable to cope with the requirements of the tour, including using coach steps for embarking and disembarking or needing services or facilities that are not available. We will not be held liable for any termination of your travel arrangements or additional expenses incurred. Please be aware that some outback locations may experience high temperatures.
