10 kid-friendly things to do in Outback Queensland’s Hughenden
With incredible natural wonders and a prehistoric past, Outback Queensland's Hughenden is a must-do stop on your family travel bucket-list.
Located in the heart of North West Queensland, half-way between Townsville and Mount Isa on the Flinders Highway, lays Hughenden – home to endless skies, incredible flora and fauna, friendly locals and the most dinosaury adventure there is to be had down under.
Porcupine Gorge is just one of the incredible sights to be discovered in the heart of Outback Queensland.
A must-do for little (and big!) dinosaur enthusiasts
It may be hard to picture now, but millions of years ago dinosaurs roamed the north of Australia while magnificent marine reptiles found a home in a vast and shallow inland sea that was once a part of Outback Queensland.
Hughenden is part of a dinosaur trail that highlights the evidence of the muttaburrasaurus, sauropods, pterosaurs and gigantic crocodile-like pliosaurs that called Outback Queensland home. But it’s not just dinosaur bones on offer in this incredible part of Australia.
Check out all of the family-friendly adventures to be had in and around Hughenden on your next visit below …
10 kid-friendly things to do in Outback Queensland’s Hughenden
Visit ‘Hughie’, Hughenden’s famous seven-metre Muttaburrasaurus
Hughenden is part of the Australian Dinosaur Trail, a fascinating trail that showcases the world-class fossil discoveries in Hughenden and its neighbouring towns, Winton and Richmond.
Hughenden’s Flinders Discovery Centre is home to ‘Hughie’ – a life-size skeletal replica from the original bones of a 110-million-year-old Muttaburrasaurus found in the Hughenden region in 1963!
Explore the Hughenden Recreational Lake
Constructed in 2019, the multi-use lake is a vista in town, shared by boaters, water skiers, kayakers, rowers and swimmers alike.
Families can enjoy the beached areas, picnic and BBQ facilities, a shaded playground, the circular 2.7 walking trail and more at this incredible addition to Hughenden.
Visit Porcupine Gorge and see the pyramid
Head 60km north west of Hughenden and you’ll find a spectacular landmark, Porcupine Gorge.
The Porcupine Gorge National Park extends for more than 25kms along the crystal clear Porcupine Creek.
Families can visit and look from the top down into the gorge, or trek down into the gorge for a paddle and top get up close with the strata of sedimentary rocks and sandstone spanning hundreds of millions of years.
Kids will love chasing dragonflies across the sandstone rocks, and being so close to the ‘pyramid’, a triangular monolith of multicoloured sandstone rising from the floor of the gorge.
Note: While it is not the easiest hike, it’s certainly doable with kids. Parents should note that while it may only be 3.5kms or so round trip, the return ascent is quite steep and around 150 metres elevation.
Real life fossicking!
Ever dreamed of finding your own treasure? You totally can in Hughenden.
Tucked away just behind the showgrounds and south of the Flinders River travellers can fossick for free with no licence required.
The Hughenden region sits just inside what was once the great ancient Eromanga sea, so naturally has an abundance of fossils from land and sea.
With so many dinosaur fossils found in the region, this is the perfect place to see if the kids can discover their own.
In addition, you may also come across moonrocks, gypsum crystals and other cretaceous fossils.
Picnic at Mount Walker
The Mount Walker Lookout is located 10km south of Hughenden on the Muttaburra road.
It’s easy to get to, just follow the fully sealed road, all the way to the top where you can choose from six different lookouts that scan the district.
Outback Queensland is famous for its big skies and brilliant sunsets and Mount Walker offers front row seats for the fiery show.
You’ll find covered picnic and BBQ areas as well as toilet facilities to take advantage of at the top.
Hit up one of the parks and playgrounds in town
With town parks featuring BBQs, shaded picnic areas, walking trails, free wifi, public toilets and more, it’s doubtful you’ll ever hear an “I’m bored!” from the kids in Hughenden!
Check out:
Discover the history of Hughenden at the Flinders Discovery Centre
Home to ‘Hughie’ the dinosaur, kids will love the hands-on experience on offer at the the Flinders Discovery Centre, right in the CBD.
You’ll find areas for kids with puzzles, books and dinosaur activities designed to entertain and educate all ages.
More than 3000 fossil specimens from the Cretaceous period have been found in the Hughenden area, including Muttaburrasaurus Langdoni and the pterodactyl-like ‘Queensland Pterosaur’.
A visit to the Flinders Discovery Centre will take you through the history of the dinosaur era, from the first fossil found in the area in 1865 to modern-day dinosaur digs.
The ‘Shearing the Stragglers’ display tells the story of the demise of the sheep industry throughout the Finders Shire.
The Flinders Discovery Centre is also an accredited visitor information centre where you can get assistance in planning your itinerary while travelling in the region.
Gaze at the stars
Australia has the best view of the Milk Way on Earth with 100 times more stars than the Northern Hemisphere, and there’s no better place to take that in that underneath Outback Queensland’s vast, clear skies.
You’ll find more than books at the Hughenden Library
Located in the town’s CBD, Hughenden Library offers a travellers’ book exchange, school holiday programs, computers with internet access and librarians with a wealth of local and historical knowledge.
Oh, and while you’re there you must visit ‘Darby the Dinosaur’ – the large scrap metal sculpture depicting the Muttaburrasaurus adorning the library walls.
Grab an old school burger and shake at the FJ Holden’s Cafe!
Grab a tasty lunch with a side of Holden and rock and roll memorabilia, all served with good old country charm!
The Festival of Outback Skies
In late April, Hughenden took centre stage with a brand-new festival that celebrated all-things Outback Queensland under the vast starry sky – The Festival of Outback Skies where visitors and locals alike were treated to an array of live music, workshops, markets, bull riding competitions and much more over one exciting weekend.
Little Riley showed the big kids how it was done at the Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies Rodeo.
For more information when planning your trip to this wonderful part of Australia, visit Outback Queensland.
