Stonehenge: A Tiny Town, Big Welcome
Stonehenge is the kind of town you could slip past without realising… and you’d kick yourself later. Tucked into outback Queensland, it’s small, quiet and exactly the sort of place where the pub is the centre of everything. After a long day on the road, rolling up to the Stonehenge Hotel felt like stepping into a pocket of calm. The heat, dust and hours behind the wheel all dissolved the moment we walked inside.
The publicans welcomed us like regulars, and soon we were leaning on the bar, swapping stories with locals. No rush, no fuss, just the kind of easy country hospitality that makes these inland towns so memorable. Cold drinks, a solid pub meal and the hum of conversation drifting through the room. It’s the stuff we chase across Queensland.
The free camp across the road is as simple as they come, and that’s what makes it good. Flat ground, basic amenities, big skies and a deep outback silence that wraps around you once the sun drops. We set up the moho just in time for a blazing outback sunset, with the whole sky shifting through orange, red and eventually a soft violet as the first stars popped through. We forgot to take pictures because we just sat back, listened to the quiet and remembered why we love travelling off the main road.
We only learned after leaving town that Stonehenge has its own “address book” — not a notebook in the pub, but a kilometre-long roadside tradition made entirely of rocks. Years ago, a local mailman, Johnny Weston, broke down out this way and passed the time by spelling his destination in stones. Travellers have been adding their names and hometowns ever since, lining the roadside a few kilometres out of town with messages made from whatever rocks they can find. We didn’t know about it when we passed through, so our names aren’t there… yet. Next time, we’ll be pulling over and adding our little mark to the outback’s longest guestbook.
Stonehenge might be small, but it’s honest, welcoming and full of the kind of charm you can’t fake. A proper outback stop, and one we’d happily return to.
If you love these quiet outback towns as much as we do, jump onto our Top Secret Travel Dispatches. That’s where we stash the extra stories and the odd surprise from the road.
Stonehenge
A tiny community in Queensland’s Channel Country, Stonehenge is known for its friendly pub, relaxed camping and wide-open landscapes. It sits on the traditional lands of the Maiawali people and forms part of the Barcoo Shire’s trio of small towns — alongside Jundah and Windorah.
How to Get There
Stonehenge is located on the sealed Thomson Developmental Road, roughly 65 km south of Longreach when travelling via Jundah, or 90 km northwest of Windorah. Fuel and services are limited, so plan ahead.
What to See / Tours / Activities
What we did:
Dropped into the Stonehenge Hotel for dinner and a cold drink.
Camped at the free campground across the road.
Watched a striking outback sunset from camp.
Other highlights nearby:
Visit the John Egan Pioneer Park for local history.
Drive to The Johnstone Range Scenic Lookout, a short trip out of town with wide views over the red country.
Explore Jundah and Windorah, both an easy drive away.
Wander the town’s small collection of public art and plaques that tell the region’s story.
When to Visit
April to September offers warm days and cool, clear nights. Summer is extremely hot, with temperatures regularly creeping into the 40s.
Final Thoughts
Stonehenge doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is. A tiny outback town with a big heart. It’s a stop that slows you down and leaves you with a clearer head and a full belly.
What’s Nearby
Follow the road west and you’ll reach Windorah and the red dune country. East leads toward the Thomson River and Longreach. We continued on toward bigger towns and longer horizons, with Stonehenge lingering in our minds as one of those simple, memorable stops you only find by wandering.
If you love these quiet outback towns as much as we do, jump onto our Top Secret Travel Dispatches. That’s where we stash the extra stories and the odd surprise from the road.
Fast Facts
Location: Channel Country, Outback Queensland
Distance: 65 km south of Jundah; 90 km northwest of Windorah
Traditional Owners: Maiawali People
Access: Sealed road via Thomson Developmental Road
Facilities: Pub, free camp, basic amenities, limited services
Walking Track: None marked, but short strolls around town
Dog Friendly: Yes at the campground and around town (on lead)
Best Time to Visit: April – September
Things That Could Kill You (Probably Won’t)
A semi-serious guide to surviving Australia. Mostly common sense, occasionally luck.
Kangaroos: They like to loiter on the road and make poor life choices at dusk.
Rock Collecting: Adding your name to the Address Book is fun…watch for snakes while fossicking for stones.
Pub Portions: One schnitty too many and you’ll be horizontal till morning.
Other updates you may like…
From the old Rex Cinema in Monto to a four-kilo peanut haul in Kingaroy, this stretch of Queensland had everything—local tips, bush learning, and the stories you only find on the road.