2023 Boobook Explore Tours Brochure

Belyando Crossing

Our region

About Boobook

Founded by ecologists, Craig and Meryl Eddie, Boobook Explore small-group experiences shares a deeper understanding of the many fascinating aspects of southwest Queensland.

As passionate about the local community as they are about the ecosystems, the Eddies and their team can speak knowledgeably about the interrelationships between the environment, agriculture and local industry.

Craig (sometimes referred to as Queensland’s David Attenborough!) has worked in the region for more than two decades, travelling to little-explored corners and mapping the habitats of flora and fauna. Both he and Meryl also work as consultants, contributing to best-practice environmental standards in managing the land.

Whether you have a day to spare or time for a more extensive exploration you’ll discover a new world that is rich with the colour of Australian life.

boobookexplore.com.au

* To discover more about Boobook Explore’s tours scan the QR codes throughout the brochure.

Boulia Bedourie Quilpie Yowah

Eromanga

Less-explored places. More

local insight.

Just an hour’s flight from Brisbane, our small-group experiences reveal the unique landscapes, ecology and history of the southwest Outback Queensland region.

From the biodiverse and breathtaking Carnarvon ranges to the Brigalow Belt and Mulga Lands, you’ll be amazed by the abundance of Australian flora, fauna, culturally-rich Indigenous artworks, and places of historical significance.

Our specialist guides take you to the less-visited places, sharing the hidden histories and an ecological understanding of the wonders you’ll witness.

Created by ecologists Craig and Meryl Eddie, these unique experiences are suitable for most fitness levels.

Get closer to nature, gain new perspectives and embrace your inner explorer with Boobook Explore in southwest Outback Queensland.

Too amazing to miss

Too many people rush through Roma on their way to the west and never realise what richness lies in this region. It’s also a destination that can easily be reached from Brisbane by air, coach, rail or car for an away-from-it-all holiday. See page 6 for more travel detail.

Uncover the awe-inspiring wonder of the Carnarvon Ranges – a short journey north from Roma! There’s so much more than the gorge to see and our small groups have access to spectacular places others don’t. There are good accommodation options in Roma and closer to the ranges. Ask our advice on where to stay or book an inclusive holiday. We look forward to welcoming you and showing you our local wonders.

Carnarvon Walking Adventure

5-days, 4-nights departing Roma

22 – 26 August 2023*

From $3065pp

This inspiring walking discovery gets you off the beaten track to see the remote scenery, forested escarpments, fern-filled gorges, sandstone cliffs, and fauna and flora of Queensland’s iconic Carnarvon Gorge National Park and surrounds. Your knowledgeable local guide will take you to littleknown sights and help you appreciate the amazing biodiversity of this region. Includes one night with a tour in Roma and three nights at Wallaroo Outback Retreat – glamping style tents (real beds). All meals and transfers included. Walk 8–15 kilometres a day.

Carnarvon Photography Retreat

4-days, 4-nights departing Roma

28 April – 1 May 2023*

From $2735pp

From rustic buildings and old farm machinery to cycad groves and multicoloured sandstone cliffs, our region is a photographer’s paradise. This smallgroup retreat takes you to little-accessed areas of the Carnarvon Ranges and has something for every interest from spectacular sunsets to the micro world of birds, plants and insects. The retreat is hosted by Boobook’s ecologists Craig and Meryl Eddie, and an award-winning nature and landscape photographer. Accommodation in glamping tents.

From $280pp

Wildflower Wonder

Full day tour departing Roma 5 and 12 September 2023*

From $230pp Group size 8-18 All meals Included Walking Grade 2

Discover Carnarvon Ranges

Full day tour departing Roma and Injune Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays*

Discover secrets of the Carnarvon Ranges that are not accessible to the public. In a small group, explore a vast private property nestled amongst sandstone cliffs. Here you’ll visit Indigenous sites by the Dawson River and rock art hidden in remote bushland. Enjoy lunch in Cycad Gorge – a prehistoric wonderland – and see spectacular rock formations. Timid fauna and bush flora add to the day’s discovery. Breathtaking views of the Arcadia Valley are a highlight. Short walks from the 4WD mini-bus take you to the sights. Lunch and snacks are included.

Extended touring Group tours

To experience more of our diverse region, take a longer tour into Queensland’s southwest and outback. Meet us in Charleville for eight days of sights, insights and incredible experiences.

From $4895pp

Southwest Outback Explorer

8-day, 7-night holiday departing Charleville.

4–11 August, 6–13 October 2023*

Journey deeper into the real outback and remote landscapes exploring history and visiting seven towns and more than 20 attractions.

You’ll love the bilbies, be awed by the majestic night sky at the Cosmos Centre and revel in the nostalgia of the famous Corones Hotel. You’ll discover an old opal mining town, relax in Artesian spas, encounter dinosaurs, visit a date farm, have afternoon tea in an 1882 pub on the banks of the Wilson River, sip sunset drinks by picturesque Lake Houdraman – and much more. The tour returns to Charleville. Meals and transfers included.

Transform your next corporate or social gathering into a truly unforgettable experience with our customised excursions in and around Roma.

Made for your group

From small groups of 8 to large groups of 16, we’ll design a unique itinerary, provide expert guides, and take care of all the catering. Get ready to inspire your group with a one-of-a-kind adventure – reach out to us today to start planning!

Our group options include:

• ‘Roma Revealed’ half-day and full-day tours

• Variations on our Carnarvon and wildflower tours

• Painting , drawing and art with workshop facilities

• Nature photography

• Environmental studies

• Walking/fitness options

• Bird watching

• School and university excursions (science, biology, geology, human settlement etc)

• Farming tours

• Botany, gardening interests

• Bush tucker and cooking workshops

• Team bonding or meetings (optional digital detox)

• Industry studies

• Special occasions.

Getting the most from your Boobook experience

Here are a few more things to know before you go! You can find extended details on our website.

Travel companies welcome

Tour companies passing through Roma or looking for new opportunities, we’re keen to talk to you to find new ways to enhance your guests’ experience. Contact us to find out more.

Our tour season and climate

Our tours run March to October when conditions are not too hot in the bush and outback. Mornings and evenings can be cool but days warm up to mid-20s in winter and high-30s in summer.

How to get here

Roma is easily reached on a good road network (no need for dirt roads). Rex Air flies between Brisbane and Roma. Greyhound and Bus Queensland also link the two. The Westlander train does the journey twice a week. Please get in touch if you’d like advice on getting here from other departure points.

Help us rescue our native animals

We love the diverse wildlife in our region. Every mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian is precious and we need them in our ecosystem to preserve biodiversity for future generations. Please support us in caring for injured and orphaned animals by donating to Maranoa Wildlife Caring and Education Centre. Find out more at mwcec.org.au

Fitness

Our day tours and outback tours are suitable for most people in good health. They involve short walks (up to 500 metres each way). In the bush there are no graded tracks and there are areas of rock, loose gravel and some short, steep sections. Please ask us for advice if you have mobility, knee or balance problems. We can lend you hiking poles for the day. Unfortunately the rough terrain means there is no wheelchair access to bush sites. For longer bush tours, higher levels of fitness are needed. See the recommendations on our website.

Bush toilets

On tours involving the Carnarvon ranges, toilet facilities are limited. We stop at Wallaroo Outback Retreat facilities on arrival and departure and we’re happy to help find you a suitable bush in between times.

What to bring

Hat, sunscreen, walking shoes/boots and a water bottle are recommended for all tours. You may also want insect repellent. For extended tours, see the recommendations on our website.

Dietary needs

We can cater for a range of special diets. You will have an opportunity to select your dietary preference and advise of any allergies when you book.

Mobile phone coverage

In the Carnarvon Ranges and at the glamping retreat, mobile phone coverage is limited. Our vehicles carry two-way radios and satellite phones for emergency communication.

COVID safety

We always maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness to protect our guests. We also keep an eye on the changing levels of government advice and restrictions and will introduce other precautions if they are required.

Booking and cancellations

Please see our website for booking terms and conditions.