Discover Winton

Just 1,500 km from Brisbane
Only 180 km northwest of Longreach
Winton is home to a treasure trove of attractions

Plan Your Visit

How to Get to Winton

However you choose to get to Winton, you should know the basics.

Drive

No 4WD required: the Matilda Highway is fully-sealed bitumen (of course, off-roaders will find plenty of scenic diversions).

1,350 kilometres from Brisbane
470 kilometres from Mount Isa
177 kilometres from Longreach

Looking for non-direct route ideas?
– The Outback Festival website (another fantastic Winton festival) has 3 detailed itineraries to make your journey a holiday in itself!
– Also check Queensland‘s official tourism site.

Ensure you check
– your fuel tank (maybe take a jerry can)
– your provider’s mobile phone reception coverage along the way
– road conditions (via QLD Transport) and the Winton Shire Council Road Report

Bus

Take your hands off the wheel and travel with Greyhound Australia bus services. They run daily from Brisbane to Mt Isa, and service Winton five days a week.

Check their website for timetables.

Rail

The Spirit of the Outback departs from Brisbane to Longreach twice a week (Tues evening & Sat afternoon), with RailBus Coach to Winton. Economy travellers can buy meals, snacks and drinks from a dedicated servery to enjoy in their allocated seat.

26 hour trip on The Spirit of the Outback (1,325 kilometres)

Fly

Options are naturally limited, but you can fly Rex from Longreach or Townsville … or fly QantasLink from Brisbane to Longreach and make your way to Winton from there via car hire or coach.

Check their websites for timetables.

Plan Your Visit

Accommodation

Holiday homes, hotels, motels, caravan sites, Winton has a wide variety to choose from. If you get in early.

Book Accommodation Early!

Visit Experience Winton’s official website for recommended options, or check your favourite website (we’ve listed some below – in random order. We don’t have any affiliations).

Keep in mind: when a festival is in town, rooms get snapped up fast.

Did we mention … BOOK EARLY!
When a festival is in town, rooms get snapped up fast.

And now for the bad news!

Or the good news … some would see it as a blessing

Winton’s Mobile Coverage

(or lack thereof)

You’ll notice it long before you reach Winton – you are not in the suburbs anymore!

Winton town has 4G coverage provided by Telstra.

No other providers phones will work, unless you have a satellite connection.

For those who have set up Wi-Fi Calling on your phone, there is free public wi-fi in the Waltzing Matilda Centre.

You can also make calls for free using the public telephones located on the corners of Elderslie & Oondooroo Streets, Manifold & Allen Streets, Manuka & Chirnside Streets and Vindex & Werna Streets.

Did you know …
Winton is more than the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda?

Winton’s 53,814 km² provides stunning vistas of grass plains and Coolibah trees under crystal clear skies?
Winton was known as ‘Pelican Waterhole’ and is home to 90 species of birds?
Aside from the Outback Writers Festival, Winton hosts 14 other festivals and other major events each year?

Dinosaurs

Walk in their footsteps at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History – the home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils.

Dinosaur Museum

Music

Make beautiful music at the world’s first and (as far as we know) only permanent Musical Fence. It even provides the bass line for a Billboard Hot 100 track!

Musical Fence

Theatre

Delve into the history of one of only two remaining open-air cinemas in Australia at the Royal Theatre. Catch a classic on the big screen or just head straight to the candy bar.

Screen or Sky?

Heritage

From heritage listed buildings like 1878’s Corfield and Fitzmaurice general store to the remains of Willie Mar’s Fruit & Vegetable shop, immerse yourself in Winton’s living history.

Walk in & Step Back

Golf

If the public tennis courts, swimming pool or skate park aren’t your cup of tea, head to the home of the annual Diamantina Open Golf Championships; Winton’s 18 hole Golf Course.

Stay on the Green

Opals

See how opals were mined in this recreation of an Opalton tunnel, and enjoy fascinating displays from the life of the opal miners.

Dig it

Official Winton Tourism Brochures

Print out these PDF brochures to help plan before you get here

Birds of Winton Shire

Waltzing Matilda Centre & Winton Town {half-day walk}

Bladensburg National Park River Gum Route {half-day drive}

The Dinosaur Drive {1 day drive}

Old Cork Station & Middleton {1 day drive}

Opal Fossicking Tour {1 day drive}

Winton to Boulia {2 – 3 day loop drive}

Don't Wait Until The Last Minute!