Longreach: 4-Hour Starlights Cruise Experience
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
An evening of outback tradition and legend.
Cruise down the splendid Thomson River at sunset on one of our heritage boats. Watch the birds come home to roost on the riverbanks and learn about the local flora, fauna and history. (Nibbles provided, BYO alcohol)
As darkness falls, the boat moors at Outback Pioneers' river camp for a 2-course stockman’s dinner around the campfire. Our bush poet charms the crowd. After dinner watch the ‘Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Show’ – a movie in the open-air riverbank theatre. The Kinnon family commissioned this exclusive movie to celebrate the tale of Captain Starlight. Finally, enjoy tea, damper and golden syrup by the campfire under a million stars.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dietary requirements? Please provide details in NOTES
What To Expect
Enjoy a gentle sunset cruise down the majestic Thomson River, where birds flock home to roost on the riverbanks. This is Longreach’s original Thomson River Cruise and still a must-do for every visitor to Longreach. There are endless photo opportunities and an insightful commentary as you pass natural features. You'll be cruising on the original paddlewheeler, which has riverside seats all around and lets you capture photos of the photogenic river at sunset.
We go ashore for a traditional stockman’s camp-fire dinner. This is the real outback experience with inspiring and humorous traditional entertainment featuring our bush poet and your Kinnon family host.
What‘s Included
Hearty GF beef stockman's stew with mash potatoes and vegetables, followed by dessert. Please contact Outback Pioneers in advance if you have dietary requirements
Billy tea with damper.
You are welcome to BYO alcoholic beverages
Pickup points
Longreach Tourist Park
12 Thrush Road Longreach Australia
Abajaz Motor Inn
11 Wonga St, Longreach Australia
Longreach Motor Inn
Longreach Motor Inn 84 Galah St, Longreach Australia
Longreach Caravan Park
176-180 Ibis St Longreach Australia
Saltbush Retreat
63-65 Ilfracombe Rd, Longreach Australia
Albert Park Motor Inn
Ilfracombe Rd & Stork Rd, Longreach Australia
The Jumbuck Motel
45 Ilfracombe Rd, Qld Longreach Australia
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Options
Longreach: 4-Hour Starlights Cruise Experience
Pickup included
Reviews
376 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Aussie experience.
mikelN1883RY,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great time. Enjoyed poems, video screening and food. A very Aussie experience. Only comment - maybe take cushions on boat for comfort.
Sunset and Poetry by campfire
pammashburn1014,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time.The cruise was short but the sunset view was so pretty. After the cruise the stew by the campfire was wonderful and the poetry delightful.
A worthwhile experience
carlapB5729II,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great experience. The staff were all cheerful, personable and entertaining. The boat ride was pleasant, unfortunately with lots of clouds the sunset was a bit disappointing. However we did get some nibbles on our journey. The campfire setting was well set out and there was a great ambience. The meal was generally authentic and delicious. It was all served in a very orderly fashion and there were seconds if you wanted them. The entertainment of the evening was great and very informative about the history of the stockmen. All in all a very enjoyable evening.
Beautiful Thompson River experience
Kathryn C,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a genuine outback experience with friendly family run operators. Very relaxed, beautiful and fun trip.
A brilliant country experience.
markhF2200DM,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We flew in with qantas and stayed at the Stagecoach motel which was wonderful! The owners are all over the tourist experience and this little motel, on the main street is the best located motel of any. Amazingly set up and decorated in the original country style, the old pub which is now their reception and restaurant was excellent. Every effort to please makes your entire holiday perfect. Be sure to go to QANTAS museum!
A great introduction to...
Gay T,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00A great introduction to Longreach with some history about the river and paddleboat. Good food, I was full from the nibbles, dinner, desert and tea and damper. Beautiful bush poetry around the fire. All with a little bush humour thrown in.
Pleasantly surprised
craigsK8765DM,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience with a great balance of history culture and humour
Seamless, hilarious, enjoyable, relaxing
Peter Wheen,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hilarious dry wit Aussie drawl from Lane, at pickup continued into a Great cruise, authentic outdoor stockmans dinner and bush poetry for a very rewarding experience. Fantastic staff.
Western Queensland has so much history to share.
sdscuderi,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing experience. I have been recommending the Starlight Cruise to family and friends since returning home. From the pickup at our Motel to the drop at the end of the night the history of area was shared. Loved the whole lot, bus trip, paddle boat, and the lovely Bush Poet lady was very entertaining. The bush tucker food, Camp oven stew, was delicious, I even bought the tea towels with the recipe for my daughter and daughter in laws, the next day at the Station Store. The movie clip of the two young gentlemen was a highlight, explaining how the Starlight Cruise Experience eventuated. Also, the history of the area was explained through a reenactment of times gone by. Western Queensland has so much history to share.
A must do in Longreach
Heather M,Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00this was a wonderful afternoon out. cruise was so enjoyable and the dinner and show afterwards topped off a great day.
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