For such empty country, Outback Queensland carries an outsized share of the Australian story. Qantas was born here; Waltzing Matilda was written here; the labour movement took shape here; and the drovers, shearers and pioneers who built the nation are remembered in some of the country's finest regional museums. This guide covers the heritage that makes the outback essential.
The big stories
Where the nation was shaped
Three towns hold chapters of the Australian story.
Qantas at Longreach
Board a retired 747 and 707 at the Qantas Founders Museum and trace how a national airline began on the outback plains in 1921.
See the tour → A songWaltzing Matilda, Winton
The Waltzing Matilda Centre tells the story of Banjo Paterson's 1895 anthem, written on a station near Winton.
See the tour → A movementTree of Knowledge, Barcaldine
The 1891 shearers' strike and the birth of the Australian labour movement, marked by a striking memorial.
Explore Barcaldine →Working the land
Stockmen, shearers & pioneers
The people who built the inland.
Stockman's Hall of Fame
The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame honours the drovers, stockmen and pioneers of the outback in a landmark museum.
Australian Workers Heritage Centre
The story of working people and the movements that shaped fair pay and conditions across the country.
Living heritage
Historic pubs, Cobb & Co coach history, and cattle-station stays that keep the pioneering way of life alive.
First Nations
The oldest story
Tens of thousands of years of continuous culture.
Long before the pioneers, this was — and remains — the country of many First Nations peoples, including the Iningai, Koa, Kalkadoon, Bidjara and Wangkangurru-Yarluyandi. Their story is told in the rock art of the sandstone gorges, in Native Title recognition across the region, and in cultural experiences that share tens of thousands of years of continuous connection to this land. We travel with respect for Traditional Custodians and their Elders past and present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Longreach important to Australian history?
Longreach is the birthplace of Qantas, founded in 1920 and operating from here in 1921, and home to the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame. It's the single richest stop for outback and pioneering history. See our Qantas Founders Museum page.
Where was Waltzing Matilda written?
Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda near Winton in 1895, and it was first performed there. The town's Waltzing Matilda Centre tells the story of Australia's unofficial anthem. See our Waltzing Matilda Centre page.
What is the Tree of Knowledge?
The Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine marks the site of the 1891 shearers' strike, seen as the birthplace of the Australian labour movement and the Labor Party. A striking memorial now shelters the historic tree.
Where can I learn about outback working life?
The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame at Longreach and the Australian Workers Heritage Centre at Barcaldine tell the story of the drovers, shearers and pioneers who built the inland. See our heritage and museums guide.
Trace the outback's history with Cooee Tours
From the Qantas Founders Museum to the Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Waltzing Matilda Centre, our guided tours bring the outback's stories to life. Family-run since 1974.
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Travel Agents & Group Organisers
This destination suits coach groups, clubs and social groups touring Outback Queensland. Cooee Tours offers net rates, custom routing and guaranteed departures — get in touch to discuss your group's needs.