6 Of The Quietest Queensland Towns
Queensland, located in the northeastern corner of Australia, contains a mix of tropical coastline, vast grasslands, and arid Outback deserts. It is one of the most diverse states in the country, not only for its landscapes, but in its people, cities, and towns spread throughout, too.
If you live here and are looking for a peaceful space, or are visiting and want to see something most tourists don't get to experience, the six towns we will be discussing below are top choices for you to consider. Join us as we uncover these quiet gems in Queensland and put you in the know about what is best to see and do while in each area.
Ravenswood
Tucked away in Queensland’s Charters Towers Region, Ravenswood is a former gold mining settlement that has since become a quiet retreat for anyone looking to escape the city for a weekend. With a population of 297 people (2021 census), this historic town is surrounded by dry bushland and rolling countryside hills as far as the eye can see.
Ravenswood’s collection of preserved landmarks includes the Imperial Hotel and the School of Arts Hall, which reflect a period when thousands more once lived here, many decades ago. Today, they are still appreciated, but at a slower pace by the few remaining residents, road-trippers, and history enthusiasts alike.
You can also wander through the Ravenswood Restoration & Preservation Association’s heritage sites or follow lesser-known local walking trails past the ruins of old mines and stamping batteries. Beyond the edges of town, open country roads also make for a pleasant drive in this deeply rural region, where the Burdekin River flows until reaching the scenic Dalrymple Lake.
Eulo
Eulo is a remote township located along the Bulloo Developmental Road, a lengthy 850 kilometers west of Brisbane. Surrounded by a sea of flat mulga lands and dry riverbeds, it is one of Queensland's most arid yet oddly beautiful communities. Historically, Eulo served as a supply stop for opal miners and cattle stations, but today, the town sees more nomads than permanent newcomers.
The Paroo River, which meanders nearby, is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin, and when water is running, the riverbanks become a haven for birdwatchers tracking species like brolgas, pelicans, and black swans. Eulo is also known for its Artesian Mud Baths, natural pools of mineral-rich mud that are said to be good for the skin and overall health.
Speaking of minerals and geology, the region is also renowned for its opal, much of which has been collected at, and can be bought at, the Eulo Queen Opal Centre.
Otherwise, long stretches of highway lead in and out of town without much to mark the change. With little to no traffic lights and rugged, desert landscapes in all directions, a trip to Eulo ensures two things: Peace and quiet in the Outback.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is the mainland gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and one of Queensland’s most scenic access points for the Great Barrier Reef. The town’s waterfront is built around the Airlie Beach Lagoon, a free public swimming area set beside Coral Sea Marina, a pleasant spot to swim year-round with low risk of encountering jellyfish or strong tides.
Many come to this idyllic community to book day trips or overnight charters from the marina to famous destinations like Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton Island, and Heart Reef. For anyone seeking out some adventure in the great outdoors, the Whitsunday Great Walk trail starts just outside town, leading its hikers through Conway National Park’s rainforest and various lookout points. Closer to town, the Bicentennial Walkway sticks to the shoreline for several kilometres, connecting Airlie Beach to Cannonvale, with tons of uninterrupted coastal views on the way.
Furthermore, Shute Harbour is another favorite locale, located a short drive east and serving as a popular launch site for sea kayaking and island ferry transfers. The area’s pace slows outside peak holiday periods, with cafes and bars mainly concentrated along Shute Harbour Road.
However, you don't need to leave town while in Airlie Beach for overnight accommodations and other amenities. Coral Sea Resort is a particularly popular hotel at the far northern tip of downtown, with Coral Sea Marina and several restaurants and bars within walking distance.
Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe is a small settlement west of the Capricorn Highway (A4), set between the Mitchell grass plains and the vast Outback country. What first looks like a one-street town reveals a deep-seated community with strong ties to Queensland’s longstanding pastoral heritage.
The main attraction here is the Machinery Mile, a long, open-air line of historic wool industry equipment that runs beside the highway, ranging from old steam engines to rusted tractors and sheep shearers’ tools. Walking the length is sure to give you a real sense of how much rural life here has changed over the centuries, being able to see the distinct evolution of farming technology that the area's residents continue to rely on.
Moreover, the Wellshot Hotel, established in the 1890s, stands near the centre of town, with its eye-catching yellow timber siding and sloping verandas, still offering its services to travellers.
Ilfracombe is another entry on this list with its own natural spa, this time taking the form of an artesian hot pool, fed by water drawn from over a kilometer underground. At the Ilfracombe Memorial Park Swimming Pool and Spa, locals and visitors can enjoy taking a soak in its waters within a wonderful little parkette at the heart of downtown.
Aramac
Aramac sits north of Barcaldine and is yet another historic Queensland town that is flanked by open cattle country and dry creek beds on the borderland between the outback and the coast.
One of the biggest draws here is the Aramac Tramway Museum, where you are invited to trace the route of a small bush tramway that once linked the town to Barcaldine, a reminder of the region’s isolation before modern roads.
On the other hand, outdoor/art enthusiasts can follow the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail, a self-guided drive past dozens of outdoor artworks placed through the surrounding landscape, many built from scrap metal and salvaged farm equipment. The trail loops through some of the quietest stretches of Queensland's deserts, where emus and kangaroos are often more common than cars!.
Back in town, you'll find a pub, a few general stores, and other essentials, while the rest of Aramac maintains an unexciting, yet laid-back, pace that appeals to those who seek to eschew big city life.
Windorah
Windorah, population 104 (2021 census), rests at the edge of the Channel Country, where the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers meet to form Cooper Creek. A popular landmark here is the Cooper Creek Causeway, a wide crossing where seasonal floodwaters turn the dry landscape into a network of temporary lakes, attracting pelicans, herons, and corellas. Visitors often stop here to photograph the healthy bird populations or to launch small boats when the water is high.
A short drive from town also leads to the Windorah Sandhills. These low, red dunes shift slightly with each season, giving you something slightly new to see every time you visit. A marked turnout allows for access to the dunes, where the view covers the surrounding floodplain for kilometres in every direction and is especially magical at sunset.
Within Windorah itself, the local information centre houses displays about the region’s Indigenous and settler histories. This town also stands out with its interesting solar farm, one that uses five large sun-tracking dishes, as opposed to the stationary flat panels you see at most other solar arrays.
Find Your Quiet Spot in Queensland Today
Whether you are out to discover a new part of Queensland or simply need somewhere quiet to clear your head, we recommend a visit to any of these towns. From uncrowded parklands to historic downtown quarters full of character, the places mentioned above appeal to just about anyone (besides those who love big city energy). Just be sure to visit before they too become renowned tourist destinations, attracting some of the millions of visitors coming to Australia every year.
