Bedourie

Bedourie lies on the Country of the Wangkamadla and neighbouring peoples, on the Eyre Creek floodplain in Queensland's Channel Country. It sits roughly halfway between Birdsville, about 190 km to the south, and Boulia to the north. With a population of only a few hundred, Bedourie is nonetheless the administrative centre of the Diamantina Shire, one of the most remote local government areas in Australia.

Things to do in Bedourie

• Bedourie Aquatic Centre and artesian spa. Soak in warm water drawn from the Great Artesian Basin. After a dusty day on the road it is a highlight. See our Great Artesian Basin guide to learn how bore water shaped the outback.
• Royal Hotel. Built from mud bricks in the 1880s, the hotel is one of the oldest buildings in the region and a classic outback pub stop.
• Bedourie camel races. Held each year, usually in July, as part of a circuit with Boulia and other towns. See our outback camel races guide.
• Eyre Creek. Waterholes near town attract birds after good seasons. Bring binoculars.
• Visitor information centre. Displays on local history and the famous Bedourie camp oven.

The Bedourie camp oven

The town's name is known to campers around Australia because of the Bedourie oven. These spun-steel camp ovens were developed for stockmen and drovers because they were lighter than cast iron and less likely to crack when bumped on a packhorse. You can still buy them today, and the town celebrates the connection.

Channel Country landscapes

Bedourie is surrounded by gibber plains, sand dunes and the braided channels of Eyre Creek and the Georgina River system. After big rains in the north, floodwaters spread across the plains, bringing wildflowers and waterbirds. In dry years the country is stark and dusty. To the west lies the Simpson Desert.

Getting there

Bedourie is on the Eyre Developmental Road between Birdsville and Boulia. Sealing has progressed on this route, but some sections may still be gravel. Roads close after rain and can stay closed for days. Check QLDTraffic, carry extra water and fuel, and read our outback safety guide. Bedourie has a sealed airstrip with regional air services.

Where to stay

Accommodation includes the hotel, a caravan park and cabins. Book early around camel race weekends.

Suggested plan

Combine Bedourie with Birdsville and Boulia on a Channel Country loop. Spend a night in Bedourie to enjoy the spa and pub, then continue to Boulia to see the Min Min Encounter, or south to Birdsville for Big Red and the Birdsville Track.

When to visit

April to September offers warm days and cold nights. Summer temperatures are extreme, and wet-season rains can close roads.

History in brief

Long before pastoralism, the Channel Country's waterholes and floodplains supported Aboriginal peoples, who traded and travelled along the river systems. European pastoralists arrived in the 1870s and 1880s, and Bedourie grew as a stopping place for drovers bringing cattle down the stock routes towards South Australia. The Royal Hotel dates from this era. Bedourie later became the base of the Diamantina Shire, and today it provides services to stations spread over a vast area.

Tips for travellers

• Carry plenty of water. Distances between towns are long and summer heat is extreme.
• Watch for dust storms. Visibility can drop suddenly; pull well off the road if you need to stop.
• Expect wildlife and stock. Cattle, kangaroos and emus wander onto unfenced roads. Avoid driving at night.
• Check opening hours. Small-town services can have limited hours, especially outside the winter season.
• Respect the land. Stations surrounding Bedourie are private property. Stay on public roads and camp only in permitted places.
• Plan fuel stops. Confirm fuel availability before setting out. See our fuel, permits and road conditions page.
• Tell someone your plans. Read our remote-area travel safety guide.

Who visits Bedourie

Most visitors are self-drive travellers on a Channel Country loop, often towing caravans or camper trailers in the cooler months. Others arrive for the camel races, or pass through on the way to the Simpson Desert. Bedourie is also a stop for travellers heading to Birdsville for the Birdsville Races in September, when traffic on these roads increases sharply. If you are travelling at that time, expect busier fuel stops and book accommodation well in advance.

Fuel, phones and medical help

Fuel (diesel and unleaded) is sold in town. The next fuel is at Birdsville (about 187 km south) or Boulia (about 194 km north). Bedourie Primary Health Centre, a nurse-led Queensland Health clinic on Kepler Street, provides primary and emergency care.

Travelling with kids

The aquatic centre with its artesian spa is a welcome break for kids on a long road trip.

The artesian spa and the Pisé House

Diamantina Shire Council runs an artesian spa and a 25 m swimming pool on Nappa Street. The council says the spa holds water at about 38–40°C and fits up to 22 people. It lists opening hours of 6am to 7:30pm in summer and 7am to 7pm in winter. Pick up an access card from the Bedourie Outback Visitor Centre.

The Pisé House, also called the mud hut, was built in 1896 by Mary Brodie, using rammed earth taken from Eyre Creek. It later became part of Sidney Kidman's holdings, and the council bought it in 2001.

The Diamantina Shire Council office is at 17 Herbert Street (07 4746 1600). The council also lists a new residential subdivision with more than 30 blocks.

Practical information

• Distance: about 190 km north of Birdsville.
• Best time: April to September.
• Services: fuel, store, accommodation, health clinic.
• Related: Birdsville, Boulia, Camel races, Simpson Desert, Windorah.