Starlights Cruise: An Evening of Outback Tradition and Thomson River Legend

Experience an evening of outback tradition and legend on the Starlights Cruise. Cruise down the Thomson River, enjoy a stockman’s dinner, watch a spectacular sound and light show, and end the night with tea and damper under the stars.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Thomson River - 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.)

What's Included
  • Dinner
  • Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • You are welcome to BYO alcoholic beverages
Additional Information

Experience the authentic charm of the outback evening.

Embark on a magnificent sunset cruise along the Thomson River aboard our historic vessels. Observe the birds as they return to their nests on the river’s edge and gain insights about the regional wildlife, plants, and history. (We provide snacks, but feel free to bring your own drinks)

As night descends, our boat anchors at the Outback Pioneers’ riverside campsite for a two-course meal of traditional stockman’s fare enjoyed around a bonfire. Our resident bush poet adds to the atmosphere with his captivating performance. After your meal, witness the ‘Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show’ – a unique open-air cinema experience by the river. This exclusive film, produced by the Kinnon family, pays tribute to the legend of Captain Starlight. The evening ends with traditional tea, damper, and golden syrup served by the campfire under a sky filled with stars.

  • Dietary requirements? Please provide details in NOTES
Location
Thomson River
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(309 Ratings)
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3462peterb
Jul 24, 2024
Starlight’s Cruise Experience is an absolute must do in Longreach - This cruise, film, bush poetry and stockmans dinner experience was way way way better than i imagined. I cannot rate this tour highly enough and have conveyed these thought’s to everyone that i have spoken to about our trip to Birdsville Big Red Bash via Longreach. If you are passing through Longreach, or are close by this is a must do experience. Well done!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maynessal
Jul 23, 2024
Very enjoyable evening - We enjoyed the whole experience. It was good to be picked up from the hotel by coach, taken to the event, and taken back at the end of the evening with a running commentary on the way. The trip on the boat was nice, with interesting commentary, and nice nibbles. The traditional outback dinner round a camp fire was enjoyable. The bush poet for the live entertainment was excellent. It was well worth the money
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen_w
Jul 22, 2024
Memorable - Boat ride was awesome, very picturesque. Captain and handler were very informative. Meal was great with a lovely fire.
Review provided by Viator
Lorraine_b
Jul 21, 2024
Starlight’s Story - I enjoyed the humour. The camp oven stew and REAL mashed potato was delicious. Bush poetry was especially entertaining. The movie was extremely well presented.
Review provided by Viator
Cheryl_h
Jul 14, 2024
Fantastic - It was a brilliant event. Absolutely loved it all. Everything so organised and entertaining. Couldn’t give any feedback to make it better.
Review provided by Viator
Pamela_p
Jul 13, 2024
Worth doing 👏 - Great time , excellent commentary 👌 beautiful sunset, camp-fire setting very comfortable. Good tucker.
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_y
Jul 11, 2024
Must do in longreach - Great information about the area. Awesome dinner and poetry, worth the money. A must do in longreach
Review provided by Viator
Paul_t
Jul 11, 2024
A great evening out. - The river is a great place to watch the sunset. I particularly enjoyed the stockmans' supper and the stories and poetry, around the campfire, afterwards.
Review provided by Viator
Pat_s
Jul 15, 2024
Typical outback event - Brilliant sunset, average meal with small damper. Good entertainment. I would think twice about using TripAdvisor as no concession offered. Outback Pioneers was $130pp and staff told us we need to ask for $10 credit ?
Review provided by Viator
811warrenj
Jul 21, 2024
Everything was Underwhelming - My wife and I recently participated in a Starlight Experiece Cruise conducted by the Outback Pioneers Company on the Thomson River and Longreach, Western Queensland. At $135 per head, we were expecting an informative cruise of the Thomson River, hearty 'stockman's style' meal, some entertainment. I'll keep it short. The river cruise was not informative. The main meal was runny savoury mince (with very little mince) slopped onto a plate with some mashed potato and bread and butter. The entertainment was memorable only for its confected Australian accents and 1980s style humour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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