Longreach: 4-Hour Starlights Cruise Experience
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Longreach, Australia
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the outback as the sun sets over the horizon on this evening cruise from Longreach. Cruise down the mighty Thomson River on a unique paddlewheeler, designed for small groups rather than massive ferry crowds. Disembark at a campground in the heart of the local bush and continue your outback experience with intimate performances and a 2-course stockman’s dinner around the campfire.
- See the story of Captain Starlight: after-dark movie in outdoor riverbank theater
- Enjoy a traditional outback treat of tea and damper under the moon and stars
- Snacks as you roll down the river: food provided, BYO alcohol at no extra charge
- Hotel pickup included from Longreach motels and campgrounds
What's Included
- DinnerHearty GF beef stockman's stew with mash potatoes and vegetables, followed by dessert. Please contact Outback Pioneers in advance if you have dietary requirements
- Coffee and/or TeaBilly tea with damper.
- Alcoholic BeveragesYou are welcome to BYO alcoholic beverages
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please call Outback Pioneers on 07 4658 1776 if you would like to be picked up from our Outback Pioneers Booking Office or from Apex Riverside Park.
Itinerary
1
Thomson River
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Thomson River
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Thomson River
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Thomson River
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Dietary requirements? Please provide details in NOTES
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Diane_L
Do it when in longreach. What an amazing way to end the day. Sunset was beautiful. Staff were friendly and amazing. Food was out of this world. The poems were really good (i was not really a lover of poems but that has changed now)
Reviews
4.7
based on 372 reviews
Gay_T, May 2026
A great introduction to Longreach with some history about the river and paddleboat. Good food, I was full from the nibbles, dinner, desert and tea and damper. Beautiful bush poetry around the fire. All with a little bush humour thrown in.
Heather_M, Oct 2025
this was a wonderful afternoon out. cruise was so enjoyable and the dinner and show afterwards topped off a great day.
Annette_L, Oct 2025
My grandson enjoyed the river cruise and loved the poetry and enjoyed trying the food although he didn't eat it. He did eat the damper and went back for seconds. the team were awesome
Allan_G, Sep 2025
This was an awesome experience, very unexpected in outback Queensland. We had a great time and the entertainment was great
Geoffrey_Q, Sep 2025
Book well in advance for your accommodation and tours visit information centres allow plenty of time in airports
Ross_H, Sep 2025
Everything was organised well. We thought the cruise was going to be longer but the overall experience was about 4 hours as advertised.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you found everything well organised.
We appreciate your note about the cruise — the full experience, including the stockman's dinner, is designed to deliver a 4-hour outback evening. We’re pleased you enjoyed it all.
Maree_S, Aug 2025
Worth the time and money!
Relaxed evening, good food and entertainment. Door to door pickup and drop off too!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for joining us on Starlight's Cruise Experience! We're glad to hear you had such an enjoyable time!
Glyn_P, Jul 2025
enjoy the food and take the bus wil was great, the imformation that was given was good, sad about the other boat
Response from Host, Sep 2025
It's great to hear you found the Starlight's Cruise Experience enjoyable and informative. Thanks for rating is 5-star.
Juan_G, Jul 2025
Nice river cruise and info about river thompson. Relaxing and not much walking or climbing. Not so much for start watching at night
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for leaving us a positive review! We hope you enjoyed your experience.
Teresa_W, Jul 2025
A chance to experience the quiet and serene waters of the Thompson river, from the comfort and steadiness of a vintage steam paddle boat. When back on the dock, you will be whisked away to a stockman's river camp, and a wonderful dinner of beef stew, and a nice piece of damper and golden syrup, and the old hearty cup of tea, for the cold night that it was! Then sit back to see the history of Captain Starlight. All up, a wonderful night for all.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We are very happy you enjoyed the sunset aboard the Thomson Belle! Thank you for leaving a 5-star review about our Starlight's Cruise Experience including the stockman's dinner!
Gavin_M, Jul 2025
The cruise was awesome, food and fireside experience was excellent.
2nd time doing it as I enjoyed it so much 9 yrs ago. Definitely put it on the bucket list.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
We're glad you enjoyed your return to Outback Pioneers! Thanks so much for your positive review, we hope to see you again soon!
Meg_B, Jul 2025
VERY expensive for what it is. Meal was mediocre. Powtry dull. Cruise short. Really best way to explain is they’ve put lipstick on a pig.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
G'day, we’re sorry to hear the experience didn’t meet your expectations. We understand that value is subjective, but we do take great care to ensure our pricing reflects the unique combination of experiences we offer from the river cruise to the stockman's campfire and poetry.
Many guests tell us the poetry and atmosphere are a highlight of the Starlight's Cruise Experience, and while we know not every element will resonate with everyone, we’re proud of the team’s efforts to share a genuine slice of outback life.
We appreciate your feedback, and our crew will continue working hard to make each experience memorable for the right reasons.
Melanie_S, Jul 2025
An absolutely delightful tour! Fantastic job! Poetry was great and more entertaining than expected. Enjpyed ourselves.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for reviewing your experience! We're pleased to hear you enjoyed the bush poetry!
Annette_S, Jun 2025
A prompt pick up from our Longreach accommodation, an evening full of great informative entertainment eg: a peaceful paddle boat cruise down the Thomson River, a video of the rescue of the Pride of the Murray, an excellent movie on Captain Starlight and stockmen of the outback, a warm welcoming campfire to sit by while being entertained by a bush ballad recital and finally a warming meal of stew and damper and billy tea. All in all a very memorable evening.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Its fantastic to hear your experience on Starlight's Cruise Experience was enjoyable. We're glad you loved your evening
Angie_G, Jun 2025
A lovely experience with great staff. The cruise on the river and the lovely dinner at camp with bush poetry
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We'll be sure to pass on your wonderful comments to our crew. Thanks so much for taking the time to review your experience with us!
Garry_R, Jun 2025
This was great night of entertainment from the moment we boarded the bus.
Food good.
Would recommend
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thanks so much for visiting Longreach! We're pleased to hear you enjoyed the entertainment.
Gregory_T, Jun 2025
Beautiful cruise along Thomson river and excellent commentary.
Great bush poetry and meals around campfire followed by starlight show and Billy tea and damper. Highly recommend 👍
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Its great to hear you had a fantastic experience on the Thomson river! Thank you for such a lovely review.
Diane_L, May 2025
Do it when in longreach. What an amazing way to end the day. Sunset was beautiful. Staff were friendly and amazing. Food was out of this world. The poems were really good (i was not really a lover of poems but that has changed now)
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re so happy to hear you had such a memorable evening.
It’s great to know you enjoyed the beautiful sunset, delicious food, and friendly team — and even more special that the bush poetry won you over! Moments like that are exactly why we love sharing these experiences.
Janette_W, Oct 2024
Great fun . I felt that I was family and had known everyone involved for a long time.
Good communications. Enjoyed every minute.
Melissa_B, Oct 2024
It was great to hear good old Aussie jokes, pulling the leg. Interesting commentary, fabulous guides and staff.
Delicious meal and completely satisfied.
Great night!
Rose_A, Oct 2024
Boat ride up the Thomson. The paddleboat is so old and made the experience authentic. There was the joy of seeing people with their pets in the river and a good variety of wildlife.
Mandy_D, Oct 2024
Enjoyed it all. They hadn’t lost our Aussie humour which was good to see. Captain starlight is a good story to share with all. A little bit of nostalgia.
Ellenora_F, Oct 2024
We traveled with friends and all thoroughly enjoyed. The whole experience loved the Bush poetry and the Captain starlight movie.
Sonya_M, Sep 2024
The bus ride from our accommodation with Will, who kept us entertained, then the lovely boat ride with nibbles, followed by an absolutely amazing 2 course meal, cooked on an open fire. Wonderful entertainment and Light and sound show, finished off with billy tea and damper with golden syrup 😋 Driven back to our accommodation by Will. Do not miss this experience.
DebraWatts, Sep 2024
Everything, was such a great experience. Staff fantastic, cruise and food was amazing. Would recommend to everyone. 10/10
Robyn_E, Sep 2024
The entertainment and the food. Freshly made damper was a huge highlight. The movie that was shown was well put together.
Lesley_A, Sep 2024
The river cruise was lovely, the big screen story was really well presented. A very authentic experience with excellent local knowledge and hospitality.
Graham_S, Aug 2024
bush poet - On the other hand the experience with viator phone was "entertaining" and very frustrating. The operator did not know that there was no pick up at the Mitchell grass retreat - took ages to get our details and do the booking - how about more education. I would not use viator again but go direct to the operator. this is not a fake review, it was painfully real
Robyn_H, Aug 2024
The whole trip. From the Thomson River to the Movie, dinner, Billy tea and damper and the Bush Poet. How he remembers the Poems amazed me, he was very entertaining, And of course our Driver, Will, he looked after us on land and water,
Chris_M, Aug 2024
Loved the bush poetry under the stars watching the damper cook under the glowing ashes in the camp ovens
From $120.42
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do