Natural Sciences Loop

ENJOY THIS FULLY SEALED OUTBACK ADVENTURE LOOP

Travelling the Natural Sciences Loop is a leisurely drive (suitable for those cruising the outback in a 2WD) where you’ll discover an intriguing itinerary.

DAY 1 - CHARLEVILLE

A warm welcome from Charleville and the start of the Natural Sciences Loop. What better place to start than the Charleville Cosmos Centre uncovering the mysteries of the sky. There is viewing through a 30” telescope of the sun during the day, see the planets, constellations, stars and planets at night. By day, visit the Bilby Centre located at the Railway Station where this flagship marsupial flies the flag for the many endangered species of Australia. In the nocturnal house, you will see them up close as if in the wild. They are so very cute. Drive the wide streets, some once wide enough for bullock teams to pass, past historic buildings and pubs that have hosted Dukes to the beautiful Graham Andrews Parklands, a beautiful family-friendly park with the historic Vortex Guns and an Outback Native Timber Walk. Plenty of parking for caravans and camper trailers.

Overnight Charleville

DAY 2 - CHARLEVILLE

Wake up in the heart of the Mulga Lands. After breakfast join the World War II Tour tag-along tour. Then check out the Base, the Royal Flying Doctor, visit a date farm or jump on a tour to check out Charleville. You may have wanted another night with more to see and do.

Overnight Charleville

DAY 3 - CHARLEVILLE TO CUNNAMULLA

[Approx 200 km]

Follow the Matilda Highway south to your next stop, Cunnamulla. Here are a few things to see along the way: Heading south the Charleville Botanic Reserve is 15 km from the centre of Charleville. A further 15 km towards Cunnamulla is the Angellala Bridge explosion site, with a large pull-off area suitable for caravans. Pause in Wyandra and take some time to rub your toes in the sand at pretty Wyandra beach. In Cunnamulla visit The Artesian Time Tunnel and learn all about the world’s largest underground river in the Cunnamulla Fella Centre. Take the 2.5 km River Walk where sunset from the viewing deck can be spectacular – a great end to the day.

Overnight Cunnamulla

DAY 4 - CUNNAMULLA TO THARGOMINDAH

[Approx 197 km]

At Eulo, 68 km west of Cunnamulla enormous pressure from the Great Artesian Basin has forced century-old mud through the fissures in the ground resulting in Eulo’s Artesian Mud Springs. Take a photo with the life-size Diprotodon statue, one of the many giant Megafauna that once roamed this region. Take a side trip to Yowah and explore rich boulder opal country.

Travellers Tips

Check road conditions regularly as you travel Book ahead

Thargo, as the locals call Thargomindah,was the third town in the world, after London and Paris, to produce hydro-electric power. Pop into the Visitor Information Centre and get a courtesy self-tour Code Card. Situated on the banks of the Bulloo there is great fishing and wildlife spotting.

Overnight Thargomindah

DAY 5 - THARGOMINDAH TO EROMANGA

[Approx 280 km]

Today takes you to Australia’s furthest town from the sea, Eromanga which once sat on the edge of the ancient Eromanga Inland Sea. The basin has been explored for two main reasons: petroleum production with the area producing around 1.5 million barrels of oil each year. The second is dinosaurs! At the Eromanga Natural History Museum see the skeletal remains of one of the largest animals to have ever walked the earth. Imagine a large plant-eating sauropod, 30 metres long and 6.5 metres high – that’s big! The guided Australian Dinosaur Giants tour is well worth your time or maybe volunteer for a dig.

Overnight Eromanga

DAY 6 - EROMANGA TO QUILPIE

[Approx 106 km]

Your fully sealed road heads east towards Quilpie, the home of the exquisite boulder opal. Head to the Visitor Information Centre as there’s much to see and do here. Try your luck for opal in the free fossicking area and see the spectacular Opal Altar at St Finbarr’s Church. Take in the sunset from Baldy Top, a magnificent formation left over from millions of years ago with simply stunning panoramic views.

Overnight Quilpie

DAY 7 - QUILPIE

For those with a 4WD take a trip to Hell Hole Gorge National Park, one of the prettiest in the west. You may even see a yellow-footed rock wallaby. Around a 2.5 hour drive from Quilpie on several unsealed roads. Pop into Adavale, a tip here is to call ahead and book a high tea at the Elegant Emu.

Overnight Quilpie

DAY 8 - QUILPIE TO CHARLEVILLE

[Approx 211 km]

The first stop as you continue west is Cooladdi, one of the smallest towns in Australia with its own postcode. Call into the Foxtrap and maybe try the Cooladdi King Burger. Visit the railway siding – one of the most photographed in the west, the grave of Vera Tighe and Quilberry Creek – perfect for an overnight camp and a great yabby hole plus the wildlife. As you head into Charleville on Australia’s longest road, the Diamantina Development Road, your road trip on the Natural Sciences Loop is coming to its end with a truckload of stories and adventures to recall for many years to come.