The Australian Outback Rowing Regatta

Join us for an unforgettable outback experience, where rowing meets road trip, community and adventure. Travel with the convoy from Rockhampton to Longreach, or meet us there. However you choose to join, you’ll be part of something bigger.

Wednesday 30 September - Rockhampton

Your journey begins.

Meet at Rockhampton Rowing Club 5pm for an afternoon row on the Fitzroy River, followed by a relaxed BBQ dinner and drinks with fellow travellers at the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club.

It’s your first chance to connect with the people you’ll share the road and the water with.

Overnight Stay:Criterion Hotel

Thursday 1 October - Rockhampton to Emerald

On the road travelling west.

Travel by bus, or your own car (see our pacakge options below) through Central Queensland with unique stops along the way:

A few surprise stops on the way!

Row on Fairbairn Dam, Lake Maraboon, near Emerald

Visit a local citrus farm and cotton ginery

Dinner at the Mayfair Hotel to round out the day.

Overnight Stay:Mayfair Hotel

Friday 2 October - Emerald to Barcaldine

Outback landscapes and local stories.

Visit Rubyvale for a Miners Heritage Tour

Lunch in Alpha, hosted by Hamilton Donaldson, including Muster Dogs in action

Stop at Alpha Tourist Information Centre

Arrive in Barcaldine:

Sunset drinks at the iconic Shakespeare Hotel

Dinner at Barcaldine Hotel

Overnight Stay: Country Motor Inn

Saturday 3 October - Barcaldine to Longreach

Outback Sprints – Race Day

Racing kicks off from 7am at Barcaldine Rec Park. Expect fast, exciting 750m racing in a true community setting.

(Note: If you are traveling alone or in a small group you will be allocated into crews for the weekend)

After racing:

Travel to Longreach

Check in and reset

Evening:

Dinner at Drovers Place

This is a very special evening, dress up in your best Boots and Blazers, we share dinner under the lights and stars of Longreach, we ceremoniously burn a boat (or part there of!) and present awards from the day.

Overnight Stay: Longreach Motor Inn (2 nights)

Sunday 4 October - Longreach

Head of the Outback – Race Day

Race the Thomson River from 7am. State of Origin from 10am.

(Note: If you are traveling alone or in a small group you will be allocated into crews for the weekend)

Post-race:

Lunch and presentation at Apex Park (where we load boats)

Optional experiences: Kinnon & Co Tours or Qantas Founders Museum (not included in package pricing)

Final evening:

Dinner at the Longreach Tavern - a casual night and final chance to celebrate the weekend together - in the beer garden there will be a big screen for the NRL grand final! There's a cocktail lounge for those who prefer something a little sweeter too.

Overnight Stay: Longreach Motor Inn

Monday 5 October - Departure

Depart Longreach with the Convoy bus transfer returning to:

Emerald Airport

Rockhampton Airport

We are rowing and racing 8+.

Organise and book as a crew, but if you don't have a full crew, we fully facilitate crews, so you can come as:

a solo rower, a cox, a small group
and we will help place you into a crew.

We also supply boats through our Bush Boat Bank, which continues to grow thanks to the generous support of clubs and schools across Queensland and New South Wales, along with our boat maintenance team from Vikings Rowing Club.

If you would like to bring your own boat, please reach out to hello@outbackrowing.com.au but it is absolutely not required. We are here to make this easy and give you the full Outback Rowing experience across 5, 3 or 2 day options.

Our pricing and race entry are packaged for your convenience. Most packages include accommodation, activities and key meals but there is also an option to create your own experience and organise your own travel and accommodation if preferred. Motels are allocated based on availability, if our listed venue reaches capacity, an alternative of similar standard will be arranged and you will be advised accordingly. Pricing is based on single occupancy. If you are sharing (or open to sharing), please book together and note this in your booking. We are not perfect, but we will do our best to accommodate everyone's needs.