Tour Two – Dalby to Miles

Day 1 – Overnight in the Dalby Caravan Park

Meet up with the rest of the group over dinner at the Criterion Hotel.

Day 2 – Dalby to Dulacca. Stop for lunch at Chinchilla.

Dulacca is quiet rural town on the Warrego Highway, 43 kilometres west of Miles.   First came the railway (in 1879) and then came the town; originally spelt ‘Doolackah’, the name was derived from an Aboriginal name meaning ’emu tracks’.

An interesting point to note about Dulacca is that it was the site of the first efforts to eradicate the invasive prickly pear cactus. The fight to eradicate the prickly pear was spurred on by the Government’s reward of 40000 hectares of land to whoever could restore their land to its original state. It is estimated that the menacing plant covered more than 50 million acres of Queensland at its peak.   The town’s hotel, known as the Waterhole on the Hill, dates back to 1908 and a brief history of the town is displayed at Lions Park.    Join the locals for a yarn and learn a little more about the towns interesting beginnings and history.

Day 3 – Dulacca to Muckadilla  Stop for lunch at the famous Bottle Tree, Roma

Discover the whistlestop town of Muckadilla, or ‘Mucka’ as the locals call it.   Once home to the
famous Muckadilla Baths, this town may lack the bustle of bigger towns, but not the hospitality.

While in Muckadilla you can stop and see the Whistlestop Railway Siding, take a walk through the native gardens alongside the highway.

Day 4 – Muckadilla to Charleville.    Stop for lunch at Morven.

If Outback Queensland was a game of bingo, Charleville would be the winning number.   From exploring outer space to stepping back in time, this is one town that covers all its bases.     A ‘must see’  the Charleville Water Tower proudly features on the Silo Art Trail.    Painted in 2019 by Guido van Helten, the tower in Parry Street stands some 30 metres high.   The feature of the mural are the children of the region and is painted in Guido’s signature 3D monochromatic style.   The children, it is said, are playing with their 200 kilometres neighbours from Cunnamulla, who they meet twice a year and often to contest a grand final.   The mural depicts not only friendly rivalry but also sportsmanship, community, friendship and respect.   Every night the tower is lit up in colours making it a day and night site worthy of seeing when in Charleville.

Day 5 – Charleville to Tambo.    Stop for lunch at Augathella.

Packed in pioneer history, Augathella was home and stomping ground to notorious bushrangers, the Kenniff Brother’s and owes its very existence to the bullock teams that camped along the Warrego all those years ago.

Tonight we will check out the world Famous Chicken Races at The Royal Carrangarra Hotel, Tambo.    Happy healthy chickens are raced, with chickens getting auctioned off to raise money for charity.   From May-September, the show is also followed by live music!

Day 6 – Tambo to Barcaldine.     Stop for lunch at Blackall.

Blackall is known as the art and cultural hub of Central Outback Queensland. Get your creative juices flowing at Blackall, a town which wears its connection to the arts and culture of the outback on its sleeve. In fact, you can follow the sculpture trail across the town, including the Big Ram.

Whilst in Barcaldine, stand in the very spot where the Australian Labor Party was first formed after the Shearing Strike of 1891 under the Tree of Knowledge.   For a town that ‘rode on the a sheep’s back’ to prosperity, it makes sense that a sheep station is high on the to-do list in Barcaldine.   In 1861, there were 394,655 sheep in Barcaldine, but today there are just 60,000 sheep in town. Although still a prime industry, the town’s aim is to “bring back the sheep” (industry) and the jobs that go with it. 

For a taste of life on the land, point your bonnet 5-kilometers south of town and 14-kilometers inland, to Dunraven Station.   Set on 25,000 hectares, the station has been in the Donoleys’ family for over 100 years – and today Roberta and Paul are more than happy to share their family’s story with visitors to the local area.   Tours take two hours and guarantee plenty of sunsets and sheep photos. 

Day 7 – Barcaldine to Ruby Vale.     Stop for lunch at Alpha 

Alpha describes itself as ‘The Gateway to the West’. It is known for its impressive display of murals (there are 26 around the town) and its impressive Fossilised Forest sculpture.

If you love gemstones and jewellery then chances are you’re going to love Rubyvale, set in the heart of the Sapphire Gemfields. Rubyvale’s sapphire mining dates back to 1891.

Day 8 –Ruby Vale to Blackwater.     Stop for lunch at Fairburn Dam, Lake Maraboon.

The Fairbairn Dam is an earth-filled embankment dam across the Nogoa River, located southwest of Emerald in Central Queensland.   The dam is stocked with barramundi and golden perch.

Blackwater is a town surrounded by a natural museum of attractions and embedded with mineral wealth.   Blackwater is reknowned as ‘The Coal Capital’, which makes it the perfect home to the iconic Australian Coal Mining Museum located right inside the Blackwater International Coal Centre.

Day 9 –Blackwater to Theodore Stop for lunch at Baralaba

Coal mining first founded Baralaba back in 1901.   Gold mining operations saw Mount Morgan Mine established in 1921, forging the way for other industries to move in, such as cattle and crop farming – sorghum, wheat and cotton in the main.

A pretty place, Theodore is shaped like a point between the Dawson River and Castle Creek, its palm lined streets give a tropical feel to the place. Hewitt Park surrounds the water tower and is a great spot for a picnic lunch or if you’d prefer a river view, Rotary Park in 5th Avenue overlooks Castle Creek.

Day 10 – Theodore to Miles. Stop for lunch at Taroom

Overnight in Miles where the tour will end.