Outback Pioneers
Outback Pioneers
5
Multi-day ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursBoat ToursNight ToursSightseeing Tours
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Outback Pioneers invites everyone to come to Longreach and discover the heritage and pioneering spirit of outback Queensland. Step into pioneers shoes for holidays and experiences that entertain, educate and inspire. Owned and managed by the Kinnon family, Outback Pioneers reflects their love of the outback lifestyle and dedication to preserving it for future generations. Outback Pioneers is the only place in Australia you can gallop in a Cobb & Co stagecoach along part of an old mail route, see the Old Time Tent Show and much more. You can also take a sunset cruise on the Thomson River to a stockman’s dinner around the campfire plus visit the Kinnon’s historic, working Nogo Station where Captain Starlight kept his stolen cattle and where station life continues to defy drought and distance. In Longreach, The Station Store and The Welcome Home are further attractions and the Outback Pioneers booking office is in The Welcome Home building at 128 Eagle Street.
Longreach, Queensland, Australia
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles2,174 reviews
Excellent
1,874
Very good
221
Average
43
Poor
19
Terrible
17

John N Shirley D
Mount Isa, Australia38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
What can we say WORTH EVERY CENT-- Starting with a Stage Coach Ride and Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show all part of the Cobb and Co Stagecoach Experience to the Starlight's Cruise Experience which include a Thompson River Sunset Cruise and Traditional Stockman’s Dinner around the Campfire plus Live entertainment you are guaranteed to have a ball.

Personal recommendation, start your day with breakfast at The Welcome Home Café, Tearoom and Restaurant all part of the great Kinnon & Co Experience. Great selection of food everything you could want make sure you put some additional time aside to wander around and have a good look at all the old memorabilia on display and the great selection of items available from the Station Store.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for coming to Longreach and joining us for some of the Outback Pioneers experiences. We're delighted to hear you had a great time. Thank you taking the time to leave a detailed review with some tips for other travellers.
Written 17 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MLT73
25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
This was a truly unique adventure from the get go when when a true local Outback Pioneer ambassador Richard arrived at my hotel on the dot of 6.45am..

Got to hear a true local tell us what it is like to be a Longreacher on our way out to Winton before embarking on a “it is so hard to comprehend even though I looking at the evidence” amazing unexpected find just outside of Winton town and what is know as the Age of the Dinosaurs.

Gemma our guide explained what discoveries were uncovered and how the museum is growing which was followed up with amazing Anzac (homemade) cookies and a cuppa before heading into Winton to have a spot to eat at the North Gregory Hotel to be enchanted with Banjo Patterson stories from Gregory North a Banjo historian.

After lunch there was the option to pop along to the Waltzing Matilda Centre (another highlight not to be missed) or you could wander the town, sit in a coffee shop or use your time at your leisure before all heading back into Longreach.

Would 100% recommend this company to immerse your into the local culture and area. I just wish I had longer that 2 full days as I would have loved to experience the Cobb & Co tour, Nogo Farm, River cruise, Distant Learning centre and much more.

I booked online, which was very easy to do, but when I arrived I also learnt easy enough to book when in town also.
Written 3 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the long descriptive review of our Winton day tour. It's great to hear your feedback in detail and helps others know what to expect. Do come again for a few days - we'd love to see you again. (And, although you can book in town, you were smart to book online in advance because some of our experiences get fully booked at busy times.)
Written 13 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

chesterandroxy
1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Really enjoyed the range of activities from a boat ride, solo guitar singer, storytelling, bush yarns, food and movie time. All completed professionally however a little more audience interaction and participation may have added a bit more fun to the evening as it all seemed very scripted. Also would have liked a little more time on boat relaxing watching sunset as it seemed very rushed and the guide talked the whole time making it awkward to move around and take photos without feeling like I was being rude. Overall though it was a very enjoyable experience
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the positive review and for the feedback. Yes, it's worth stopping quietly for a moment or two to take in the beautiful outback sunset over the river and get your photos. We will definitely take your comments into account as we're always keen to improve and make things even better!
Written 26 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

bonshell
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Unable to walk around paddle boat due to size of it, the meal was stew and Instant Deb mash potatoe , to be eaten on your lap in metal hard chairs, entertainment was approx. 5 songs and a couple of poems. then we headed to river bank in the dark down stairs to watch a video about not much. came back to tea and hard damper. not worth $125.00, when we found out that Drovers sunset cruise same price but you actually got a table to sit down for your meal (a choice of 2 mains) and an actual show. I know where i am telling people to go from now on, NOT OUTBACK PIONEERS.
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're sorry to hear our authentic style of entertainment wasn't what you were looking for. Most people rave about our traditional campfire stockman's dinner with a family-recipe stew and our home-made mash plus the real bush entertainment under the stars. And the Starlight's Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show on the riverbank is a specially-commissioned movie that tells the story of our local larrikin hero Captain Starlight who roamed this very place. But, for those who prefer more of a city-standard dining experience, yes, there are other options. Luckily Longreach has room for both and indeed many people do both! You can never have too much of cruising the Thomson River at sunset!
Written 26 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sawadee1614
Brisbane, Australia21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
What a wonderful experience Outback Pioneers gave us. I love the way they have recreated the experiences they are as authentic as possible giving everyone an insight into the life of our pioneers, would highly recommend them. The Kinnon family are great hosts the story telling and yarns all add to the experience well done Kinnon family
Written 12 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the positive comments about the authentic experience - that's certainly what we try to achieve - without giving you all the hardships of the pioneer times of course! And thank you for supporting our family business.
Written 16 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sheree J
Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia44 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2022
This is in my view very expensive. The advert states you get a stage coach ride that lasts 45 mins. The actual ride is not that long as it includes morning tea. We weren’t interested in the movie ( an old Chips Rafferty and Smiley movie) plus a comedy tent show. We had a previous engagement elsewhere so paid the $125. just for the stagecoach experience . They don’t allow for an individual breakdown for this experience. Also they used to dress you in period costume for a photo but can’t due to Covid. However you are packed in like sardines into the coach where you are literally touching shoulder to shoulder.
Written 4 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

denismurray2021
Southport, Australia1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Outstanding themed boutique accommodation showcasing pioneer ways with modern fittings. Sunset cruise,Dinner and show is exceptional, highlighted by stories and poetry from locals.
The Kinnon family are to be congratulated on their presentation of some of our rich pastoral history.
Written 8 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the positive review on the The Staging Post accommodation and the Starlight's Cruise Experience. You are amongst the first guests to experience the new accommodation this year so it's especially welcome to hear your good feedback on that.
Written 16 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

kenfifer
Smithfield, Australia81 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021
The Thompson River Sunset Cruise was a great evening out from the very moment we were picked up at our motel till the minute we were dropped back there some 4 hours later. The evening was an absolute delight and all the people involved with running the cruise, the evening meal, the sing along and the bush poetry were brilliant. Highly recommend the tour.
Written 29 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taking in the sunset on the Thomson River, then getting to know each other a little better around the campfire is what it is all about. Many thanks for your recommendation and 5-star review.
Written 13 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sue H
Canberra68 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2020 • Couples
We were the first group to do this experience due to other experiences being cancelled due to COVID. It was a fun evening. Lane kept us amused with his stories and jokes, Jeremy showed us the stars even though it was cloudy and Scotty's poems were very entertaining. Dinner around the campfire was delicious and the night animal spotting in the open top bus was another great adventure. Well done guys!
Written 23 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so excited that you were amongst our inaugural guests on our Bush by Night Experience. Thank you for sharing your experience. COVID-19 has presented a whole new challenge to the tourism sector. We really value your support and your feedback.
Written 31 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

SaltyBN22
Peregian Springs, Australia1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
We had a high expectations for this day trip the Horse and Cart Ride was fun , however the horses only go fast for a very short moment , would have been good if it was a bit longer .
The ear phones were useless as the speaker was not clear. His speaking was muffled and we couldn’t understand him.

We had 3 little kids and they enjoyed the movie which was a surprise as we didn’t think they would sit through the 1950s film but they still talk about it today.

The kids didn’t make the old time tent show as they were hungry and I don’t think it was tailored to kids anyway.

With more and more families on the road and doing the outback it would be good to see more tours suitable for kids.
Overall we left with mixed feelings about having spent $360 on the half day tour and perhaps would have reconsidered given we didn’t feel it was suited to younger people.

Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's always disappointing for us to hear we haven't given you the experience you expected. The gallop is exhilarating and goes along the straight stretch of the old mail track. It is important to understand that our Cobb and Co horses are pulling fully-laden coaches, 4 to 5 times a day, to and from the Longreach Common. We are always looking after the health of our horses, to ensure they stay in tip top shape for the whole season. We're happy to hear the kids enjoyed the old bush movie, but disappointed to hear you didn't stay for the Old Time Tent Show, we're confident the kids would have loved it. The show is full of laughs and animal antics. It is light entertainment typical of these travelling shows in pioneer times. Many of our guests order a Billy-Can lunch which includes a sandwich, cookie, apple and a cool drink, which can be enjoyed while watching the show. Thank you taking the time to share your review.
Written 18 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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