A Caravan-Friendly Dinosaur & Outback Heritage Drive
Drive itinerary
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Day 1
Longreach
Outback Icons & River Stories
Begin in the cultural heart of Outback Queensland.
Visit the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum before cruising the Thomson River at sunset – a river system that once flowed through dinosaur country.
Caravan & camping:
- Longreach Caravan Park
- Longreach Tourist Park
- Muddy Duck Tourist Park
Overnight: Longreach
Longreach Region Explore Centre
99A Qantas Park Eagle St, Longreach QLD 4730
P: (07) 4658 4141
www.experiencelongreach.com.au
Day 2 · 190 km
Longreach to Muttaburra
Meet Queensland’s State Fossil
An easy westward drive into dinosaur country.
At the Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre, meet one of Australia’s most complete dinosaur fossils. This plant-eater roamed floodplains that fed into the ancient inland sea over 100 million years ago.
Visit the Centre of Queensland Monument and explore the historic Dr Arratta Memorial Museum.
Caravan & camping:
- Council Caravan Park & Campdraft Grounds
- Freedom Park
- Broadwater Camping (Thomson River)
Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre, 9 Bruford St, Muttaburra QLD 4732. Open 24 hours.
Overnight: Muttaburra
Muttaburra Post Office & Information Centre
16 Sword Street, Muttaburra
P: 07 4658 7147
www.muttaburra.com
Day 3 · 210 km
Muttaburra to Barcaldine
Rivers, Red Earth & Heritage
Cruise through grazing country shaped by ancient river systems.
In Barcaldine, visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre and the Tree of Knowledge – reminders that geology shaped not only landscapes, but livelihoods.
Stretch your legs along Lagoon Creek walking tracks beneath vast western skies.
Caravan & camping:
- Barcaldine Caravan Park
- Roses ‘N’ Things Caravan Park
- Barcaldine Homestead Caravan Park
Barcaldine Visitor Information Centre: E: tourism@barc.qld.gov.au, F: 07 4651 2243. Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 4.00pm.
Overnight: Barcaldine
Barcaldine Visitor Information Centre
149 Oak Street, Barcaldine
P: 07 4651 5630
Day 4 · 120 km
Barcaldine to Isisford
Into the Outer Barcoo Fossil Region
A short drive brings you into crocodile country – prehistoric crocodile country.
At the Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre, meet Isisfordia duncani, a 98-million-year-old ancestor of modern crocodiles discovered in local rock layers once formed in ancient waterways.
Photograph the Big Yellowbelly Sculpture and relax at Oma Waterhole or Barcoo Weir – landscapes where water continues to shape country just as it did in deep time.
Caravan & camping:
- Golden West Hotel & Caravan Park
- Oma Waterhole Campground
- Barcoo Weir Camping Area
(Optional return to Longreach ~120 km.)
Overnight: Isisford
Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre
12 St Mary St, Isisford QLD 4731
P: (07) 4658 8133
www.experiencelongreach.com.au/our-region/isisford
- Days 4
- Distance About 520 km
- Start Longreach
- End Isisford
Travel west to Longreach into a landscape shaped by ancient rivers, inland seas and iconic outback history.
The Outer Barcoo Fossil Loop links Longreach, Muttaburra, Barcaldine and Isisford in a relaxed drive where Queensland’s State Fossil meets river systems that once preserved prehistoric life.
Here, vast floodplains once fed into the Eromanga Sea. Today, fossil discoveries, heritage towns and wide-open skies create an easy, deeply rewarding outback journey.
It’s deep time at a comfortable pace.
Along the way, discover
- Queensland’s State Fossil – Muttaburrasaurus
- A 98-million-year-old crocodile ancestor – Isisfordia duncani
- River systems that once preserved inland sea fossils
- Classic outback heritage and big-sky landscapes
- Mostly sealed roads. Easy access into towns. Genuine country hospitality.
Why this loop works for caravanners
- Manageable daily distances
- Mostly sealed roads
- Powered sites and riverside camping
- Easy access into towns
- Unique fossil discoveries without crowds
This is fossil country at a relaxed pace – ideal for grey nomads, motorhomes and self-drive explorers.
Travel tips
- Plan fuel stops
- Avoid dusk and dawn driving
- Book powered sites in peak season (April–September)
- Carry water and check road conditions
