Pints, Paintings & the Heart of Queensland

OUTBACK QUEENSLAND SILOS AND PUBS

The outback of Australia is dotted with historic pubs. Many are in remote locations, most are old, and all of them have a fascinating history. Often, they are much more than a pub – they can be the centre of their community, often acting as a post office, general store, cafe, churc,h and even the police station! What is common with most of them isthat they are run by outback characters who, in turn, attract all sorts of personalities - from local stockmen and farmers to truckies, backpackers, seasonal worker,s and all sorts of travellers who are roaming through the heart of the country. We will stay in a range of motel-style accommodation and enjoy some stunning outback scenery.

Day 1 (D) HOME TO MOREE              

Monday 16th February 2026

We have a fabulous 10 days ahead of us, visiting some silo art and country pubs. No doubt, along the way, we will meet some real characters as we travel from the coast to outback Queensland. We have a travel day today, so sit back and meet your fellow adventurers taking in the ever-changing landscape. We make stops along the wa,y including a stop at the Royal Hotel in Guyra for lunc,h before arriving late afternoon to Moree for our overnight accommodation.

Morning tea from the coach | Lunch at the Royal Hotel, Guyra, and dinner inthe  motel

Artesian Spa Motel, Moree | 1 night

Day 2 (BLD) MOREE TO ROMA                       

Tuesday 17th February 2026

Departing early this morning, we make our way to Surat. On arrival, we have arranged a fascinating visit to the Cobb & Co Changing Station Museum, where we will be welcomed by a local volunteer. The Museum is built on the original site of the Cobb & Co Store, and was once the drop-off point for coach passengers and goods. This is also our lunch venue. Later, we drive along part of the route that was taken by the last Cobb & Co Coach Service in Australia to Yuleba and then onto Wallumbilla. Arriving in Rom,a we have some free time at the motel before tonight’s entertainment – Roma’s Big Rig Night Show. The Night Show is an outdoor cinema with an interactive display depicting a traditional oil rig site. The show itself is thoroughly entertaining, giving an overview of the discovery of Oil and Gas in Roma and the progression of the industry in Australia.

Breakfast and dinner in motel, Morning tea from the coach | lunch at the Cobb & Co Store

Roma Explorers Inn | 1 night

Day 3 (BLD) ROMA TO CHARLEVILLE                        

Wednesday 18th February 2026

We travel further west towards Charleville, where we head downtown to the famous Hotel Corones – built in stages, the hotel was completed in 1929 during Charleville’s wool industry boom. Here we join a guided tour and hear the rags-to-riches story of local character Harry Corones, followed by lunch in the hotel dining room. We visit the Historic House Museum and discover treasured items dating back to the 1800s. Later, an experienced guide will board the coach for a tour of the USAAF Top Secret sites. We find out why Charleville was selected for this top-secret site in WWII, visit intriguing historical sites ,and learn about the highly classified computerised bomb aimer. Early evening, it’s off to the Cosmos Centre for the Big Sky Twilight Tour. See an amazing night sky brought into focus with the help of powerful Meade telescopes and listen to captivating stories from their experienced sky guide.

Breakfast and dinner at the motel Morning tea from the coach | lunch at the Hotel Corones

Mulga Country Motor Inn | 1 night

Day 4 (BLD) CHARLEVILLE TO QUILPIE                    

Thursday 19th February 2026

Today, you’ll visit one of the smallest towns in Australia to retain its own postcode. Cooladdi, taking its name from an Aboriginal term for ‘black duck’, was once home to 270 residents. On arrival in Quilpie, make your first stop at the Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery, where our local guide will board our coach for a town tour. Discover the history and unique landscapes of Quilpie town, Baldy Top Lookout, St Finbarr’s Opal Altar, and Quilpie Airport mini museum. The tour includes lunch at the Quilpie Heritage Inn (aka The Brick,) which has been carefully restored to its original splendour. We can now check in to our motel with time to relax before dinner.

Breakfast and dinner at the mote,l Morning tea from the coach | lunch at the Quilpie Heritage Inn

Quilpie Motor Inn | 1 night

Day 5 (BLD) QUILPIE TO THARGOMINDAH              

Friday 20th February 2026

Today we travel to Eromanga, the ‘furthest town from the sea’ in Australia, and significant in the discovery of dinosaurs. We enjoy a guided tour and morning tea at Eromanga Natural History Museum, home to Australia’s largest dinosaur, a 95-98-million-year-old titanosaur called ‘Cooper’. From here, we enjoy lunch at the historic Noccundra Hotel, the only original surviving building in town. The hotel was built from locally quarried sandstone and was transported to Noccundra by camel train. This afternoon, we push through to Thargomindah.

Breakfast and dinner at the motel | lunch at Noccundra Hotel

Thargomindah Oasis Motel | 1 night

Day 6 (BLD) THARGOMINDAH TO CUNNAMULLA                          Saturday 21st February 2026

This morning, a local guide will board your coach at the Thargomindah Visitor Information Centre for a town tour with great local stories and insights. Relive moments of yesteryear at the Old Jail and Old Thargomindah Hospital courtesy of life-size holographic and interactive experiences. Head east along the Adventure Way to Eulo, often described as the ‘Montville of the Outback.’ Relax with a pub lunch in the famous Eulo Queen Hotel before sampling the town's shops. See opals and art at the Telegraph House Gallery, pick up handcrafted leather goods, or purchase some local goodies. While in town, you can visit the Artesian Mud Springs; built up over centuries, these mud springs were the original release valves for the Great Artesian Basin. Take a selfie with Kenny, the life-size Diprotodon (giant Megafauna) found in the Eulo Area. Travel for around 45 minutes to Cunnamulla and the Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre. Join a self-guided tour of the Artesian Time Tunnel, meet ‘Doug the Rigger’, view engaging audio-visual displays, and find out how the Great Artesian Basin was formed. While in the centre, spend some time wandering the history museum and art gallery. We have a look at the Cotton Mural and the Transport Mural painted by well-known artist Kevin Taylor. Late afternoon, follow the short River Walk to a viewing area over the river where you can see local birdlife and grazing kangaroos. Be sure to time your arrival at the viewing platform to watch the sunset.

Breakfast and dinner inthe  motel | lunch at the Eulo Queen Hotel

Country Way Motor Inn, Cunnamulla | 1 night

Day 7 (BLD) CUNNAMULLA TO ST GEORGE                           

Sunday 22nd February 2026

Continuing east, we travel along the Balonne Highway to the turnoff for Charlotte Plains, a family-owned and operated sheep station established back in the 1860s. Property owner Robyn Russell will board our coach for a guided tour of the station, home to Merino Sheep and Dohne Rams as well as the more recent Aussie White Sheep. We’ll see the historic bore, sunk into the Great Artesian Basin to a depth of 561m, tour their historic woolshed, and enjoy a relaxed lunch on the old homestead verandah. We arrive at St George early afternoon with time to refresh before dinner.

Breakfast and dinner at the motel, Morning tea from the coach | lunc,h Charlotte Plains station

Riverland Motor Inn, St George | 1 night

Day 8 (BD) ST GEORGE TO GOONDIWINDI                           

Monday 23rd February 2026

We venture to the township of Thallon this morning, where we see Queensland’s first silo project, completed in just three weeks in July 2017. Working closely with the Thallon communit,y including Indigenous members, the artists developed a design which aimed to celebrate and share what the community loves about their town and district. The final artwork, The Watering Hol,e represents icons of the distric,t including a majestic sunset, the Moonie River, Indigenous culture, wildlife, and agricultural heritage. While here, we look at some unique street art, the Wombat Water Tank,s and a peek at the Thallon Primary School mural. Backtracking somewhat to Nindigully, we break to purchase lunch at the Nindigully Pub, before travelling on to Goondiwindi, an attractive Darling Downs town.

Breakfast and dinner at the motel, Morning tea from the coach | lunch own arrangements and cost

Best Western Ascot Lodge, Goondiwindi | 1 night

Day 9 (BLD) GOONDIWINDI TO BALLINA                                                           Tuesday 24th February 2026

Departing Goondiwind,i we make our way to Yelarbon, stopping to see the silo art for the trip. The mural titled ‘When the rain comes’ depicts a young boy at play, cooling off in the Yelarbon Lagoon. In his hand is a paper boat that is set to float across the Yelarbon lagoon. The paper boat is made from historical newspaper remnants that were found in the old Yelarbon jail, symbolising the history of the region and the creativity needed to drive future endeavours. Next, we continue to the small town of Texas, situated on the attractive Dumaresq River. Primarily a sheep and cattle grazing area, Texas boasts a variety of other industries – orchards, small crop farming, feedlots, and a growing tourism industry. Our destination today is Tenterfield, known as The Birthplace of Our Nation – Sir Henry Parkes’ vision of a united Australia was presented in his famous Federation Speech on 24th October 1889. This led to the federation of all Australian States into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. We visit the School of Arts, a memorial to Sir Henry Parkes, where the celebrated speech took place, and where the Tenterfield Saddlerwas  made famous in Peter Allen’s song dedicated to his grandfather, George Woolnough. Built of quarried blue granite and featuring red cedar doors, the shop is still in its original condition. We enjoy lunch at Behind the Hedge before travelling through to Ballina for our last night on tour.

Breakfast and dinner in motel. Morning tea from the coach | lunch at Behind the Hedge

Ballina Byron Islander Resort | 1 night

Day 10 (BL) BALLINA TO HOME                             

Wednesday 25th February 2026

What a wonderful holiday we have had travelling with friends. We travel south along the coast and deviate into the picturesque area of Yamba – a seaside town on the southern side of the Clarence River estuary. The Yamba Lighthouse is located on South Head and stands 41m above sea level, offering us fine views of the coastline. It is also a popular whale watching site during whale season. Travelling through Coffs Harbou,r we reach Urunga where we’ll stop for lunch at the Anchors Wharf Café, situated right on the Kalang River. Later, we arrive home with many wonderful memories of travelling through the scenic Outback Queensland.

Breakfast in motel | Morning tea from the coach | lunch at Anchors Wharf Café

TOUR INCLUSIONS

•            9 nights’ motel accommodation

•            9 motel breakfasts

•            9 motel dinners

•            9 included lunches – see below

•            Lunch at the Royal Hotel, Guyra

•            Entry and Lunch at the Cobb & Co Changing Station

•            Entry to the Night Show-Roma Big Rig

•            Lunch at Hotel Corones, Charleville

•            Tour + Beverage with Hotel Corones Stories Tour

•            WWII Base and Tour USAAF Top Secret sites, Charleville

•            Big Sky Twilight Session at Charleville Cosmos Centre & Visitors Centre

•            Quilpie Town Tour

•            Lunch at Quilpie Heritage Inn

•            Tour and morning tea at Eromanga Natural History Museum

•            Lunch at Noccundra Hotel

•            Locally guided tour of Thargomindah

•            Lunch at Eulo Queen Hotel

•            Entry and self-guided tour of the Artesian Time Tunnel, Cunnamulla Visitor Information Centre

•            Tour, morning tea, and ploughman's lunch at Charlotte Plains Cattle Station

•            Visit the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts, Tenterfield

•            Entry and lunch at Behind The Hedge, Tenterfield

•            Lunch at The Anchors Wharf Café, Urunga

$4,272 pp twin | + $1,079 pp single sup | $850 pp deposit

For more information or to book;

Phone               02 6583 3330

Email:               admin@portbus.com.au

Website:          https://www.portbus.com.au

Please Note

•            Price is based on a minimum of 20 paying passengers. If numbers fall below 20 paying passengers, this quotation may need to be recosted.

•            Price is valid for the above tour dates only

•            It is highly recommended that you have travel insurance in the event of travel disruptions.

•            Accommodation is subject to availability. If alternative accommodation needs to be sourced, the price could change.

•            Attractions are subject to availability. When these are booked, we request passenger numbers based on those the tour has been costed.

•            Surcharges may apply if accommodation dates fall on public holidays or special events.

•            Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided. Port Bus reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Port Bus will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations or closures made at the venue’s discretion.

Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:

42 days or more—loss of deposit

29-41 days: 50% of fare plus deposit

30 days before and the Day of departure: 100% of the fare