Things to do in Outback
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Hard Times Mine
Coastal Queenslanders will tell you there's only one reason to make the 1200km plus trek to Mt Isa, and it is to visit the Australian tourism award–winning Outback at Isa . Ancient history comes alive at this museum, which is a one-stop educational stop for Queensland's outback history, from pioneering to mining to local cultures. Get kitted out in fair-dinkum mining attire and head lamps at the Hard Times Mine . You descend a purpose-built mine complete with fuming, roaring and rattling machinery. The fascinating Riversleigh Fossil Centre is also here. It features a re-creation of Australia's prehistoric fauna, and actual fossils. The centre also houses the Isa Experie…
reviewed
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Riversleigh Fossil Centre
Coastal Queenslanders will tell you there's only one reason to make the 1200km plus trek to Mt Isa, and it is to visit the Australian tourism award–winning Outback at Isa . Ancient history comes alive at this museum, which is a one-stop educational stop for Queensland's outback history, from pioneering to mining to local cultures. The fascinating Riversleigh Fossil Centre is also here. It features a re-creation of Australia's prehistoric fauna, and actual fossils. There's a good-value, two-day Discovery Tour Pass , which combines all the attractions.
reviewed
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Outback Park
Coastal Queenslanders will tell you there's only one reason to make the 1200km plus trek to Mt Isa, and it is to visit the Australian tourism award–winning Outback at Isa . Ancient history comes alive at this museum, which is a one-stop educational stop for Queensland's outback history, from pioneering to mining to local cultures. The centre also houses the Outback Park , showcasing the natural, indigenous and mining heritage of Mt Isa. There's a good-value, two-day Discovery Tour Pass , which combines all the attractions.
reviewed
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Outback at Isa
The Australian Tourism Award–winning Outback at Isa is featured on most itineraries, and for good reason, too. The hands-on museum provides a colourful, articulate and air-conditioned overview of mining, pioneering and local history. It comprises a number of galleries and experiences like the Hard Times Mine and the fascinating Riversleigh Fossil Centre. It also houses the Outback park. There’s a good-value, two-day DiscoveryTourPass, which combines all the attractions.
reviewed
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Qantas Founders Outback
This museum houses a life-size replica of an Avro 504K, the first aircraft owned by the fledgling airline. Interactive multimedia and working displays tell the history of Qantas. Next door, the original 1921 Qantas hangar houses a mint-condition DH-61. Towering over everything is a bright and shiny 747-200B Jumbo.
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Longreach Outback Travel Centre
LOTC runs a number of tours, including billabong cruises (adult/child $50/36), a sunset cruise on the Thomson River, followed by dinner under the stars and campfire entertainment. The Longreach Lookabout tour (adult/child $187/154) combines the town's main attractions with the dinner cruise. There's also an outback station tour ($109/79).
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Porcupine Gorge National Park
The Porcupine Gorge National Park is an oasis in the dry country north of Hughenden. The best spot to go to is Pyramid Lookout, about 70km north of Hughenden. You can camp here and it’s an easy 30-minute walk into the gorge, with some fine rock formations and a permanently running creek.
reviewed
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Cobb & Co Coach Experience
From April to September, you can book for the Cobb & Co Coach Experience , a 45-minute ride on an authentic replica Cobb & Co coach, which includes morning and afternoon tea and the bush movie. You can also ride the coach on an overnight swag campout with dinner and breakfast included ($165/85).
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Station Store
You can smell the oiled leather in the Station Store , which sells stockman's gear, saddles, riding boots and Aussie bush hats and clothing. At the back is the rustic Changing Station Cafe, and the Australian Bush Picture Show (adult/child $7.50/3.50), where you can watch a classic film.
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Dom’s Restaurant
Isa’s most beloved eatery has recently reopened on Marian St. The menu is thankfully unchanged, and the clientele still pours in for delicious crispy pizzas, soft, buttery pasta and tasty salads. It’s worth booking on weekends, especially for alfresco dining.
reviewed
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Buffs Club
Isa's most central nightspot, with the busy Billabong Bar, a sundeck and live entertainment on weekends.
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Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre
This centre is a tribute to the early stockmen and explorers (check out the nifty maps), and has a range of galleries covering Aboriginal culture and European invasion. It’s 2km east of town towards Barcaldine. Admission is valid for two days.
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Powerhouse Museum
If you like big old machines, the Powerhouse Museum, in Longreach's former power station, has the goods – huge old diesel and gas-vacuum engines that were used until 1985, as well as local history relics.
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Outback Aussie Tours
On the railway platform, Outback offers a variety of multiday tours from the five-day Longreach and Winton tour (from $1879) to outback garden tours and rail journeys.
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Longreach Club
Every country town worth its weight in poker machines has a club like the Longreach Club. There’s a pleasant garden and formal dining room, serving staple roasts, steaks and pasta.
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Dinner Under Isa
Don a hard hat, safety specs and head lamp and enjoy a three-course dinner in the crib room of the Hard Times mine. Mine tour and tall stories are included. The mine is licensed.
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Arilla Paper
Arilla Paper is an indigenous women’s cooperative that sells beautiful handcrafted paper made from native plants and grasses. It’s great for gifts!
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Merino Bakery
Busy Merino is the best place for an early breakfast or lunch-on-the-run with fresh-baked bread, imaginative rolls and foccacias, and pies and cakes to die for.
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Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitors Centre
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitors Centre is worth a visit. It puts Isa’s isolation into perspective.
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Quilpie Museum & Visitors Centre
Quilpie is an opal-mining town and it has a Quilpie Museum & Visitors Centre.
reviewed
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School of the Air
The School of the Air is worth a visit. It puts Isa’s isolation into perspective.
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Isa Experience Gallery
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Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre
This centre is a tribute to the early stockmen and explorers (check out the nifty maps), and has a range of galleries covering Aboriginal culture and European invasion. It’s 2km east of town towards Barcaldine. Admission is valid for two days.
reviewed
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Australian Age of Dinosaurs
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747-200B Jumbo
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