Outback Qld with 3 kids -

The two 8 year olds I took up that way a couple of years ago enjoyed the Dinosaur trail. They did some fossiking where allow and came home with various different types of dinosaur bones. You can keep what you find. We stayed at the caravan park at Richmond which is right on the lake. There is a water feature that you can play in. The curator at the museum here will identify any bones you find.

I have not found any better tasting sausages than those found here at the local butchers.


Longreach had several attractions. The kids enjoyed the air museum more than the other attractions. I found the school of the air interesting, and the quality of the work these kids do is astounding. (My two kids could not understand why we were looking at a school. They seen them before)

The Drovers museum the kids enjoyed, but did find it a little slow as I wanted to read about each item and was not moving fast enough for them.

In Longreach I stayed at the free campsite a couple of k's out of town. That was a good quiet spot.

We haven't been to Queensland yet, but we are used to travelling with kids of that age.

Basically I'd stick to trying not to book things ahead. Better to see half the things well and really enjoy it rather than see everything quickly and get stressed. We always find that the kids are happiest when we travel slowly.

And download lots and lots and lots of audiobooks first.

Could I suggest a change of route. Take the kids to Carnarvon and walk them to death on the trails they will enjoy it and be exhausted at the end of the day. There is also a few fireplaces at Takaraka to sit around but you will have to book and it will be damm cold. Take a good torch as they have night time bushwalks to see the nocturnal animals under the guidance of the local rangers who give talks during school holidays. Another place on the list should be the gemfields. Buy them a few buckets of dirt for them to sift through for small gems they will enjoy this. The kids should be interested in the Qantas museum in Longreach.

All the above is based on experience with my grandaughter when she was 7 or 8.

Hi AmandaJ

Most children love Dinosaurs. There is a model dinosaur in the main street and Hughenden - great photo opportunity. The small museum has a skeletal fossil too.Winton also has a small dinosaur display in addition to the Matilda Centre.

I don't know what interests your 2.5 year old has as some youngsters take to travel and are interested in all they see whereas others get bored easily and do not want to participate.

We also stayed at the Longreach free camp - not good if it rains on the black river clay :O. There is free camping at the Chinchilla Weir with about eight powered sites (see visitor centre). Both can be seen reviewed here: Queensland free and low cost camps

Motherhen

Hi Amanda, Mark from Ballina here, excited...excited? We too are doing trip, leave Ballina on June 23 for 23 days....Dalby,Charleville,Longreach, MT Isa, Tennant Creek, Alice, Rock, Olgas,Kings, Coober Pedy,Pt Augusta, Broken Hill, Bourke,Moree, home....me, wife, 2 ten age boys, awd & camper. Have not a lot of time in Qld ( do that next trip).Hope you have as much fun as we expect....Cheers

Be aware that 1770 and Agnes are lovely, nice national parks thereabouts- watch out for sandflies. Be prepared for the dusk onslaught. Midge proof netting needed on tents etc.- not just mosquito size. Seriously discomfitting. Cania Gorge a little off the coast is great.

Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for your replies, we are getting so excited about this trip and have only 6 more sleeps to go!

Really looking forward to the dinosaur trail, our 8 year old was dinosaur mad a couple of years back so it will be especially great for him.

Not sure if we are trying to visit too many places in a short amount of time but we will be playing it by ear alot, you can't have too many plans with 3 kids in tow huh

How are the roads out there at the moment?

Thanks again!