On the Flinders Highway between Hughenden and Julia Creek, Richmond is a colourful riverside town.
Richmond is a convenient stopover town for roadtrippers driving the Overlanders Way between Mt. Isa and Townsville. Occupying the tree-lined banks of the Flinders River, Richmond is home to Australia’s only museum dedicated to marine reptiles, Kronosaurus Korner, complete with its own significant fossilised dinosaur skeleton. Lake Fred Tritton is a popular recreational area on the edge of town, where swimming, water skiing, fishing and kayaking are just some of the ways to enjoy the lake. Nearby, a number of national parks draw campers through Richmond.
Magnificently coloured sandstone cliffs and lush forest fringe the swimming hole of Porcupine Creek at the heart of Porcupine Gorge National Park. About two hours drive east of Richmond, the park is popular for bird watching, wildlife spotting, and walking trails that offer panoramic views from Pyramid Lookout and Gorge Lookout. Campsites are located at the Pyramid camping area and can be pre-booked.
The spectacular white sandstone bluffs rising above the savannah give White Mountains National Park its name. Its diverse landscape ranges from lush forests with wildflowers to sand dunes devoid of vegetation, but most is accessible by 4WD vehicles from Flinders Highway near Torrens Creek. Book a campsite beside the riverbed and listen out for birdlife in the trees and wallabies bounding across the earth.
Outback Queensland is like nowhere else on Earth with its unique colours, characters, wildlife, and wide-open spaces. Wild landscapes dominate all the way to the horizon, with gorges and gullies carved by rain and mountain ranges rising from savannah lands. The people who live in Greater Outback Queensland are resilient characters accustomed to adapting to its harsh environment, so take the time to meet the locals over a beer at the pub or when checking into a holiday park. You’ll be rewarded with rare insights into why so many travellers are lured by Outback Queensland road trips.
Outback Queensland’s harsh climate can be a challenge for those unaccustomed to the conditions unique to this region—maximum summer temperatures can reach well past 40°C. The mildest temperatures occur between April and October with warm dry days and cool nights, while the wettest time of the year is generally December to March. The Richmond Rodeo is held each July, while the Richmond Campdraft is held in September. Richmond Racecourse has an active calendar of events well worth timing your visit around. In Mt. Isa, don’t miss the Mt Isa Show in June, the Boulia Camel Cup in July, or the Isa Rodeo and Outback QLD Masters golf tournament in August.