2026 Season – Available Through the Travel Trade

Drover’s Sunset Cruise – An Outback River Adventure

Drover’s Sunset Cruise

A Sunset Cruise and Dinner Show on the Thomson River

  • Approximately 4.5-hour experience cruising the Thomson River at sunset
  • Departures from early April through mid-October, with days expanding in peak season
  • Early booking saving options available for the 2026 winter season
  • Complimentary savoury nibbles and a licensed onboard bar
  • Includes Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show with live entertainment
  • Suited to Fully Independent Travellers (FIT), series groups, and mature-age clients
A uniformed riverboat captain and local guide examine a massive ancient tree on the riverbank

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

An Outback Sunset Aboard the M.V. Longreach Explorer

Pickups From Longreach Accommodation Return coach transfers collect travellers from their Longreach accommodation, with pickup times varying by location and time of season. Clients should check the time confirmed on their booking, as departures shift from around 4:00pm to 4:45pm across the winter programme.
Approximately 4.5 Hours of Outback Magic The full experience runs for around four and a half hours, with roughly 1.5 hours spent cruising the Thomson River before docking for dinner and the show at Smithy’s. Return coach transfers from Longreach accommodation bookend the evening, leaving guests free to simply enjoy the river and the night sky.
Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show The evening continues onshore at Smithy’s, where travellers relax under the stars with table-service dining. A hearty two-course camp-oven themed dinner is followed by freshly made damper and billy tea, all set to live music and storytelling from a talented outback performer.
Tales From the Skipper Our experienced skipper brings the river to life with captivating stories of its history, wildlife, and rich Indigenous heritage. From ancient scar trees to the curious Emmott’s short-necked turtles, every stretch of the Thomson holds a story worth sharing.
Vibrant Colours Over the Thomson River As the sun drops, the river and surrounding floodplains glow in shifting tones of gold, copper, and deep red. The cruise is timed to capture this transition from a top-deck vantage point, offering uninterrupted 360-degree views as the colours fade gently into starlight.
Savoury Nibbles & Licensed Bar As the M.V. Longreach Explorer glides down the Thomson River, guests are welcomed with complimentary savoury nibbles. A licensed bar is open throughout the cruise, so travellers can enjoy an icy cold drink while the outback sky shifts through its sunset colours.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Inclusions & 2026 Departure Details

Tour Inclusions

  • Two-course camp-oven dinner and live show at Smithy’s under the stars
  • Exclusive onshore visit to ancient scar trees and Sunset Bend
  • Relaxed, low-fitness experience suited to travellers of all ages
  • Licensed onboard bar available for drinks of your choice
  • 360-degree top-deck views over the river and sweeping floodplains
  • Approximately 1.5-hour cruise along the Thomson River and floodplains
  • Return coach transfers from Longreach accommodation included

Tour Highlights

  • Early booking saving options for 2026 – contact AABH for details
  • Captivating storytelling from an experienced river skipper
  • Cruise aboard the M.V. Longreach Explorer – multi-award winning experience
  • Vibrant sunset colours reflected across the Thomson River
  • Complimentary savoury nibbles served onboard the cruise

Add This Destination to Your Australia or New Zealand Itinerary

Contact our team for trade rates, availability, and help packaging this tour into your clients’ tailor-made itineraries. As a leading inbound travel specialist for Australia and New Zealand, we’ll build the complete journey, including flights, accommodation, connecting tours, and onward travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Early booking is recommended for this multi-award winning cruise, as departures sell quickly and run subject to availability and minimum numbers. Bookings are best arranged through the travel trade. Australia and Beyond Holidays (AABH) can confirm current availability, competitive wholesale rates, and seating, and coordinate return coach transfers from Longreach accommodation as part of a wider itinerary.

The 2026 winter programme runs from early April through to mid-October, aligning with the cooler dry season in Outback Queensland. Selected dates operate in early April, with Monday, Wednesday and Friday departures from mid-April, expanding to most days of the week through the peak winter months. Pickup times shift earlier or later across the season as daylight changes, so clients should check the confirmed time on their booking.

This is an easy-going, low-fitness experience suited to travellers of all ages. Guests are seated comfortably aboard the M.V. Longreach Explorer for the cruise and at table-service tables during dinner at Smithy’s. Boarding the vessel and short onshore walks at Sunset Bend involve minimal movement, and crew are on hand to assist where needed.

The Drover’s Sunset Cruise operates on the Thomson River near Longreach, with return coach transfers provided from Longreach accommodation. Pickup times vary by location, so clients should refer to the time confirmed on their booking. Bookings and transfers are managed through Outback Aussie Tours at Longreach Railway Station on the Landsborough Highway.

Yes. The Drover’s Sunset Cruise is well suited to series groups, incentive programmes, and special interest travellers who enjoy a shared dining and entertainment experience. With table-service dining at Smithy’s and live performance, it works as a memorable group evening. Departures can be coordinated to align with wider touring schedules, and AABH can manage seating, transfers, and dietary requirements for the whole party.

The Drover’s Sunset Cruise is a perfect late-afternoon inclusion within a multi-day Longreach programme. It complements daytime visits to the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, giving travellers a relaxed way to round off a full day of touring. Because the cruise runs into the evening with a two-course dinner and live show, it can serve as the main evening activity, leaving daytime hours free for other outback experiences. AABH can build this into tailor-made itineraries across Outback Queensland.