How to see three States in three days without stepping foot on a plane
Outback Queensland is a place of endless possibility.
It’s here that you can stand on the corner where three states meet, exchange tall stories with strangers who will soon become friends, and find an oasis deeper than most of Sydney Harbour.
Explore Queensland’s South West by following in the footsteps of Burke and Wills, the old Cobb & Co route and find yourself criss-crossing the border of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, all without ever stepping foot on a plane.
This spectacular Outback road trip explores the best of the border region and the right angle of Queensland.
Day 1 – Kick off in Thargomindah
Venture far enough along the Adventure Way, a sealed road west of Brisbane, and you’ll hit the town of Thargomindah.
It was here around 1100km west of the Queensland capital that Burke and Wills passed through as part of their explorations, and later the Cobb & Co route.
Thargo, as the locals call it, was the third place in the world (after London and Paris) to produce hydro-electric power for street lighting back in 1898. Take a self-guided tour of the plant that once used water pressure from the Great Artesian Basin to power the town.
Dive deeper into the town’s history with a visit to the Old Hospital. Built in 1888, admire the hospital’s bricks made from mud on the banks of the Bulloo River. The self-guided tour includes documentary videos and life-like holograms.
Nature lovers can trek the 5.9km Thargomindah River Walk and keep an eye out for the Mallee ringneck parrot and Burke’s pink parrot while wandering beneath towering river red gums.
Pause for lunch at Pelican Point Picnic Area, where you can make use of free barbecues or fish, kayak and swim like the locals do.
A 30-minute drive out of town, a 9km loop laps Lake Bindegolly National Park. Bring your binoculars to spot ducks, waterbirds, black swans and 80 other kinds of animals enjoying the string of seasonal saline and freshwater wetlands in the red arid landscape.
Thargo has a number of great accommodation options, from the Explorers Caravan Park with cabins and powered campsites, to the air-conditioned rooms at Oasis Motel and Bulloo River Hotel Motel.
Day 2 – Hit the road for Noccundra and Innamincka
Rise, shine and hit the road – a great pub lunch is waiting at the Noccundra Hotel, 142km west of Thargomindah.
Built in 1882, the hotel is made of sandstone from Mt Pool in New South Wales, shipped up here by camel train. Yes, camels!
Once an important Cobb & Co stop, the hotel is the only part of the town left and is a popular pause for travellers and locals from nearby stations.
Some locals even land on the dirt airstrip, park their planes out front and enjoy a great pub lunch before flying home again.
Back in the car, keep your bonnet pointed west for the Burke and Wills Dig Tree at Cooper Creek. After 222km you’ll pull up at one of Australia’s heritage-listed spots, a Coolibah tree that stands as a reminder of the pioneering spirit and harsh climate.
From the Dig Tree it’s a one-hour drive to cross the South Australian border and reach the tiny town of Innamincka, the place where Burke and Wills perished on their ill-fated expedition.
The Yandruwandha people called this land home for 40,000 years, with the name Innamincka stemming from the words ‘Yini’ and ‘mingka’, which mean ‘your waterhole’.
At one point this flourishing town had a blacksmith, school, hotel, police station and saddler but it was abandoned in 1952. A town revival came with the discovery of gas and oil, plus 4WD adventurers wanting to take on the famous Strzelecki Track.
Ask the Innamincka Hotel to organise an afternoon cruise along the shady Cooper Creek, home to corellas, pelicans and other birdlife. Relax with drinks and canapés while your eco-certified guide shares stories and facts.
Return to the hotel for an excellent pub feed before kicking back in front of the Starlight Cinema, a huge outdoor screen in the pub’s backyard, or having a sing-along if it's karaoke night.
Day 3 – Find the party at Cameron Corner
Just 16km north of Innamincka is Cullyamurra Waterhole, Australia’s largest billabong.
Brimming with wildlife, take your binoculars or cast a line to catch yellowbelly and catfish in the 7km long, 28-metre-deep waterhole. Look for rock engravings at the entrance, made by the local Yandruwandha people.
Around 105km north of Innamincka lies Coongie Lakes National Park, a 1.9 million hectare site that’s home to an incredible diversity of birds and critters and a mosaic of lakes, channels, deltas and swamps.
Venture out solo or ask Innamincka Hotel or organise a 4WD tour. Don’t forget you’ll need to purchase a Desert Parks Pass in South Australia.
From here, it’s time to tick off Cameron Corner, the point where three states meet.
The Cameron Corner Store is a remote pitstop located around 250km south of Innamincka. Pass miles of red sand hills to reach the pub with a Queensland postcode, New South Wales address and South Australian phone number.
Time your visit for New Year’s Eve and celebrate the best of three states with a party that rings in the coming year three times as each state’s time zone strikes midnight.
Say g’day to Chook Norris as you set up camp, enjoy a few cold beers at the bar and give tri-state golf your best swing before the evening really kicks off.
On a regular night the roadhouse offers meals, ice-cold drinks and friendly banter, but on New Year’s Eve you can expect things to turn up a few notches with live entertainment, dancing, silly games and fireworks as the bell sounds not once, but thrice.
Day 4 – Return to Thargomindah
After a big crazy night like New Year’s Eve, there’s nothing better than a hot brekky burger or bacon and eggs.
Cameron Corner Store will roll out a recovery breakfast for any NYE revellers.
From here, the choice is yours. You can cruise back up to Thargomindah and spend the night in town or enjoy the hospitality of a remote station. Or take the long route via Tibooburra and Hungerford.
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