Charleville is far more than your average outback town. With fascinating ‘secret’ World War II history, a remarkable bilby conservation project, and a world-class observatory, this is a must-visit town in southwest Queensland. Located 750 km west of Brisbane, Charleville is at the junction of the Warrego Highway and Matilda Way. Nestled on the banks of the Warrego River, this is the largest town in the Murwah Shire and is a stop along the Natural Sciences Loop. Charleville is the kind of town where you can pull up a seat at the historic Hotel Corones for a chat and get to know local characters past and present. And there are plenty of Charleville attractions and activities to fill your days. Get close to nature, delve into history and seek out the depths of the universe in this fascinating outback town.
Make tracks for Queensland's central west on the Spirit of the Outback, an historic rail journey like no other. Then delve deep into outback life staying in Longreach, Toogunna Plains Station and Roma. Visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Museum. Take a Station tour and Thomson River sunset cruise. Unearth dinosaurs in Winton, Waltz with Matilda, take a station tour with insights to the land overseeing all of Queensland’s iconic outback.
Join us as we explore the best of South WestQueensland and its rich history. Enjoy lunch and a tour of the historic HotelCorones, visit the Bilby Centre and experience a Big Sky Twilight tour at theCosmos Centre. Visit the Artesian Time Tunnel, discover the history of StGeorge, a tour and three course lunch with wine tasting at RiversandsWines. Arriving then in Lightning Ridge for a two-night stay where wevisit the Australian Opal Centre, housing the world’s greatest publiccollection of the Australian Opal. Nearing the end of our epic journey, enjoy acotton tour of Goondiwindi before our final lunch together at Albert RiverWines.
Experience the charm of Picnic Point Toowoomba and a night in Roma, where you'll witness a live cattle auction alongside local graziers. Explore Charleville with a local guide and take in the historic Hotel Corones. Don't miss the enchanting twilight tour and stargazing at The Cosmos Centre. Venture further into the Outback with a local guide to Quilpie before indulging in 2 nights of deluxe cabins at Toogunna Plains Station. Explore the Eromanga Natural History Museum, where prehistoric fossils come to life, and savor a Taste of the Outback dinner. Immerse yourself in the vast Mitchell Grass Plains of Longreach with 3 nights of glamping. Delve into the ancient past at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum and explore the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Pay tribute to Australian stockmen at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Cruise the Thomson River at sunset, dine under the stars, and enjoy an authentic outback show. Conclude your adventure with an overnight rail journey in sleeper cabins aboard the Spirit of the Outback.
Charleville’s attractions are world-class; you should plan to stay at least four nights to see everything on offer.
A visit to the Charleville Bilby Experience is a chance to get up close to these delightful creatures. You’ll also be doing some good. The Save the Bilby Fund is a long-running captive breeding and conservation program whose goal is to save this iconic and eco-important species from extinction.
3500 United States Army Air Force personnel were stationed in Charleville during WWII. Drop into the WWII Secret Base interactive exhibition centre to learn about their stories, Top Secret information, classified missions, wartime romances, and more.
Stop in at the Hotel Corones for a beverage and take a tour to learn about Charleville’s pioneering days and prosperity in the bustling 1930s.
Take a stroll on the banks of the Warrego River; if you’re a keen fisherman you can even throw a line in. The Warrego River is the northernmost tributary of the Darling River and is known for silver perch, cod and black bream.
Charleville’s clear skies are far from the light pollution of our larger cities and make for perfect star-gazing. The Cosmos Centre offers several activities for day and night viewing of the sun, stars and galaxies above. Learn about far-flung wonders, experience the night sky as our ancestors did and learn about fascinating objects that have fallen from the skies to land in Outback Queensland.
Other Charleville tourist attractions well worth a visit are the Vortex Rainmaking Guns in Graham Andrews Parklands, Historic House Museum, Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre, and the painted water tower, which is included on the Silo Art Trail.
750 km west of Brisbane, Charleville can be reached by plane, train or road. If you’re going by car, the drive from Brisbane takes around 7-8 hours, while the drive from Toowoomba takes around 4-5 hours. Our selection of Outback Queensland holiday packages includes touring in and around Charleville.
Summers in Charleville are hot and can be sultry or dry, depending on the wind direction, so consider planning your trip during the winter months (June - August) if you want a more comfortable climate. Winters are mild to cool, with crisp mornings and endless blue outback skies.
Charleville, the star of the Outback, is renowned for its captivating stargazing experiences. With its clear night skies, the Charleville Cosmos Centre offers an astronomical adventure, making it an ideal destination for astronomy enthusiasts and curious stargazers alike.
The scenic route from Roma to Charleville covers a distance of around 250 kilometres. Prepare for a road trip filled with classic outback scenery featuring wide-open spaces, iconic red dirt roads, and the possibility of spotting some local wildlife along the way. It's the perfect adventure for those seeking the authentic Australian outback experience.
The spirited journey from Brisbane to Charleville spans approximately 745 kilometres, making it a road trip through the heart of Queensland's outback. So, buckle up and prepare for a drive filled with vast landscapes, charming towns, and the promise of outback wonders.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
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