Is it a dream? Is it a mirage? No, it’s an oasis and it’s called Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. This is the quintessential Queensland Outback. You’ll find it north west of Mount Isa — in a place that’s so far from the bright lights and city sights that time is best documented by the passage of the sun, not a watch and certainly not a schedule. The promise of red earth and emerald green waters is sure to get you packing your 4WD for an off-the-beaten-track adventure to Gulf Country.

Track 530km south-west for an oasis of a different kind in Mount Isa. You’re entering cowboy country, a sanctuary for boots, buckles and bulls. Boasting the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere, it’s no surprise the cowboy hall of fame resides in the middle of town and donning an Akubra is a privilege. Shaped as it is by its rich mineral bounty and mining heritage, the Isa is a city unlike any other.