Have you got a long weekend coming up?
Tack an extra day on either side and you’ve got the time-makings for an Outback Queensland road trip.

Read on to discover how you can travel to St George (and time it perfectly for the Nindigully Pig Races) and back, experiencing the best of the bush.

We’re talking about catching the biggest yellowbelly you’ve ever seen, demolishing giant burgers and steaks, and watching pigs fly around a track.

Day 1 – Friday 26 November

AM: Hit the road from Brisbane

Wind down the windows, turn up the St George Region playlist on Spotify and breathe in crisp country air as you navigate your way west.

The journey to St George is under six hours, so be sure to set off early. Hold the snacks because there’s plenty of pit stops for roadside munchies and spots to stretch cramped car legs.

Toowoomba is the first point of call for breakfast, home to the Baker’s Duck, an artisan sourdough bakery in the heart of the city.

If you’re not in a rush, we recommend taking your chosen treats down to Queens Park to enjoy them before strapping yourself into the car seat again.

Other pit-stop options: Stop off for refreshments at the historic Hotel Victory in Cecil Plains and grab a coffee and fuel up at Puma Moonie Crossroads.

PM: Arrive in St George

You’ll roll into St George around mid-afternoon if all goes to plan.

Dubbed the inland fishing capital of Queensland, keen fishers will want to take their rods straight to the riverbank.

Car weary legs will also appreciate the 2km stretch of the shady St George River Walk flanking the town.

For a taste of local history, look out for the commemorative stone marking Sir Thomas Mitchell’s crossing of the Balonne River back in 1846, which is known as St George’s Day.

We recommend saving your main meal for the country cuisine found at the Cobb & Co Hotel.

Enjoy a classic pub feed before you spend the rest of the afternoon taking it easy along the river.

Catch another fish or the sunset on a boat cruise along the Balonne River before settling into your accommodation for the night.

With a range of hotels, motels, campsites and B&Bs on offer, we can guarantee wherever you choose to stay, you’ll feel at home thanks to the region’s country hospitality.

Day 2 - Saturday 27 November (Pig Races are on)

AM: Fuel up

Kickstart your morning in St George by fuelling up at the local bakery.

Good to know: St George’s Bakery also crafts home-made style pizzas every Friday and Saturday nights for an easy meal option during your stay.

You’ll also see their work if you visit the Nindigully Pub, as the bakery team is behind the quirky burger buns (a steer head or a map of Queensland, anyone?).

For a rare experience that’s perfect for show and tell, visit the Unique Egg Museum, home to the world’s only collection of hand-carved emu eggs.

PM: Visit the Nindigully Pub

It's time to point your bonnet 46km south towards the Nindigully Pub to set up camp and watch the Pig Races. The races are not only a fun and quirky event to watch, they also help raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Queensland’s oldest hotel can be found perched on the banks of the Moonie River. You can book a room (be sure to book in advance for a weekend like this).

Roll out a swag on the veranda, or opt for the most popular option – camping – where you can pitch a tent almost close enough to the barman to call out for a cold one at the Nindigully Tourist & Visitor Area nearby.

Keep in mind, the property is pet-friendly, with showers and toilets onsite, plus plenty of carparking.

For the rest of the afternoon, expect live entertainment, quirky competitions, local food and drinks, fireworks display – and of course, racing pigs to cheer on.

Fancy a decent sized tucker? The pub’s chef has just the menu.

Pull up a stool and try to tackle the famous one-kilogram T-bone on offer, if you want more, book ahead for the road train burger.

Featuring a 1.2kg meat patty, a whole head of lettuce and veggies, wedged between one kilo of bread and surrounded by 1kg of deep friend chips – you might want to share it with (at least) four others.

Day 3 – Sunday 28 November

AM: Talk a walk on the wild side

On the last day of the Pig Races, wake up and wander through the Gully Walk, a historical walkway built for visitors to explore the heritage, culture and environment of the bushland surrounding the old pub.

While the Nindigully Pub is known for its quirky events and large pub feeds, few know about its history in film.

Before you pack up camp and point your bonnet south to Thallon, be sure to check out the boomerangs, constructed for Hugh Jackman’s feature film debut, Paperback Hero.

PM: Tour to Thallon

Make a beeline for Thallon, just 20 minutes south, and take a selfie with William, the giant Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat, upon your arrival before checking into Francis Hotel.

You won’t need to go far for food, with the hotel also serving up generous dinners, perfect to mark one of your last epic pub feeds for the trip.

It’s worth noting breakfast is also available for guests before the drive home in the morning.

Day 4 – Monday 29 November

AM: Hit the road home

Before hitting the road home, pay one last stop to Thallon’s giant grain silos on your way out of town.

The artwork named, The Watering Hole, was completed by Artists Travis Vinson and Joel Fergie in 2017 and is located less than three minutes away from the hotel.

The road home will take you all day, enough time to reminisce on your memory full of outback adventures.

How to see Outback Queensland in an extended weekend from Brisbane

Have you got a long weekend coming up? Tack an extra day on either side and you’ve got the time-makings for an Outback Queensland road trip.