Starlights Cruise Experience

Overview

Available languages

English

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 Picture Show’ – a movie in the open-air riverbank theatre. This exclusive movie was commissioned by the Kinnon family 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

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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

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. Subject to availability, you may be cruising on the original paddlewheeler or on the Thomson Princess, which has riverside seats all around and lets you capture photos of the photogenic paddlewheeler at sunset. (In the quieter season, we only use the paddlewheeler.)

1 hour 30 minutes•Admission Not Applicable

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 barefoot bush poet and your Kinnon family host.

1 hour•Admission Not Applicable

Options

Starlights Cruise Experience

Pickup included

Reviews

4.77

338 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

287

Great tour
Melanie S,
Jul 1, 2025
- Viator
4.00
An absolutely delightful tour! Fantastic job! Poetry was great and more entertaining than expected. Enjpyed ourselves.
A very worthwhile experience
Annette S,
Jun 30, 2025
- Viator
4.00
A prompt pick up from our Longreach accommodation, an evening full of great informative entertainment eg: a peaceful paddle boat cruise down the Thomson River, a video of the rescue of the Pride of the Murray, an excellent movie on Captain Starlight and stockmen of the outback, a warm welcoming campfire to sit by while being entertained by a bush ballad recital and finally a warming meal of stew and damper and billy tea. All in all a very memorable evening.
A lovely experience with...
Angie G,
Jun 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00
A lovely experience with great staff. The cruise on the river and the lovely dinner at camp with bush poetry
Wonder of the outback
Garry R,
Jun 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This was great night of entertainment from the moment we boarded the bus. Food good. Would recommend
Cruise show poetry and campfire meals
Gregory T,
Jun 16, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Beautiful cruise along Thomson river and excellent commentary. Great bush poetry and meals around campfire followed by starlight show and Billy tea and damper. Highly recommend 👍