Vincent’s run

Station stays and outback pubs are highlights of a 570km journey along the Dowling Track from Quilpie to Bourke.

Story + Photos Mandy McKeesick

Before Queensland existed and before Burke and Wills arrived at Cooper Creek, intrepid explorers went forth from the Bourke district in search of grazing land. One of these was Vincent Dowling who, in early 1859, overlanded 1,200 Herefords from Mudgee to the Darling River to claim a pastoral lease, later known as Fort Bourke.

From here he mounted exploratory expeditions north, assisted by Indigenous guides, mapping ranges and plains, documenting flora and fauna, and tracing the source of the Paroo and Bulloo rivers.

Pleased with what he discovered, Dowling founded a profusion of stations. The Dowling Track, 570km from Quilpie to Bourke, is named in his honour.

Starting in the north, the first pastoral station opening its gates to travellers is not what you might expect from a dusty outback adventure. Here, 5km east of the Quilpie CBD, white waterlilies contrast with bugling black swans on a coolabah- and caravan-rimmed lagoon.