Best stops along the Overlander’s Way: Magnetic Island & Hughenden

The Overlander’s Way takes drivers along the Flinders Highway from the Great Barrier Reef to the heart of the Queensland Outback. There are many towns to visit along the way, and many festivals to enjoy if your journey is timed right.

A great spot to begin the journey is on Magnetic Island. It offers a wonderful, family-friendly holiday where visitors can enjoy an island paradise and the Great Barrier Reef.

For those wanting an active Maggie Island experience, MI Fitness offers personal training and boot camps in some of the most beautiful spots on the island.

Destination Adventure Magnetic Island also offers great adventure holiday packages that include running retreats, mountain biking retreats, yoga and wellness holidays, plus much more.

A great way to unwind at sunset is with Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks. The group offers kayaking tours around the island in both early morning and at sunset.

To get around Magnetic Island, Topical Topless Car Rentals are a great option. The simplest and fastest way to travel to Magnetic Island is via SeaLink Ferries. Check out the SeaLink ferry timetable and purchase your return tickets directly online here.

A terrific spot to call home on the island is Peppers Blue on Blue Resort.  It offers the finest accommodation on the island and is right next to the marina.

For Queensland Weekender viewers, Peppers is offering a special deal.

Stay 3 nights or more and save up to 15%*. Includes full breakfast daily, Wi-Fi and in-room movies.

Choose from a Hotel Room, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom or 2-Bedroom Superior Apartment.

*Conditions apply. This ECO rate includes all the Peppers touches we know you love, without the daily service. Valid for sale and travel until 31 March 2020.

To book, click here or call 1300 737 444.

A great stop along the Overlander’s Way is the Town of Hughenden, and a great place to learn about the town and the region is the Flinders Discovery Centre. It educates visitors about the region’s dinosaur history as well as its pioneering past.

Hughenden has plenty of natural attractions, including Porcupine Gorge.

Visitors can enjoy bushwalks of the gorge or scenic chopper flights on offer from Fox Helicopters.

The region is home to many cattle properties, one of which is operated by the Anning Family. They are sixth-generation cattle graziers that produce 100 per cent grass-fed and hormone-free beef.

Casey and Sara Anning have recently found success with their range of oven-ready meals called Black Rock Beef Co. Their meals are stocked at select stores across the country, and Casey and Sara prepare each and every one!

In Outback Queensland, one of the biggest festivals is the annual Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival. It has a huge program filled with events — the most famous being its short triathlon. There are also horse races, music concerts, a rodeo, Australia’s Best Butt competition and much more. The festival will be on again next year when it will be celebrating its 26^th year.