Longreach sunset river cruise with dinner and show

The captain's stories about the river and its wildlife carry you through the best light of the day.

A 4.5-hour sunset cruise on the Thomson River in Longreach combines top-deck river views with a two-course camp oven dinner and live musical performance under the stars at Smithy's Outback Dinner & Show. The fully licensed cruise includes a warm welcome, complimentary savoury nibbles on the water, and a stop at Sunset Bend before docking for dinner. Hotel pickup is included; call ahead to arrange dietary needs or mobility support, as the team cannot accommodate requests without advance notice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise and dinner show

• Board Longreach Explorer cruise
• Enjoy sunset views from top deck
• Listen to Captain's river stories
• Purchase drinks from licensed bar
• Eat complimentary savoury nibbles
• Stop at Sunset Bend for photos
• Dock at Smithy's Outback Dinner & Show
• Dine under stars with camp oven meal
• Watch live musical performance

The Experience

The Longreach Explorer departs with you on the top deck, where 360-degree views of the Thomson River and floodplain open up as the light shifts. Your captain shares stories about the river, its wildlife and Indigenous heritage while you watch the outback colours intensify. The licensed bar onboard lets you order an icy drink to go with the complimentary savoury nibbles served on shared platters — a small meal that settles in while the landscape does its work.

The boat holds at Sunset Bend, the stop everyone photographs. As the vibrant colours fade into starlight, you dock at Smithy's Outback Dinner & Show. Table-service dining brings a two-course camp oven meal — modern cuisine with outback themes — and you eat under open sky. On stage, live musicians perform songs and stories that fill the evening. The whole experience, from pickup through return, runs 4.5 hours.

The crew is experienced and the venue is multi-award winning, which means the timing holds and the details work. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or travel in a pram; children from age 4 are welcome. Wheelchair access is available. If you have dietary requirements or mobility concerns, call the office on 07 4658 3000 before you book — they need to know in advance and cannot adjust the menu without notice.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• fully licensed bar onboard and at Smithy's.
• complimentary savoury nibbles on the cruise.
• two-course camp oven dinner under the stars.
• live musical entertainment and performances.
• top-deck river views and a stop at Sunset Bend.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Outback Aussie Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a single evening that combines river cruising at sunset with a sit-down dinner and live show, all in one outing rather than moving between separate venues.

Traveler reviews

4.85★★★★★★★★★★

689 verified traveler reviews

5 ★608

4 ★64

3 ★11

2 ★4

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the river like when we cruise it?

The Thomson River in Longreach opens into wide floodplain views, and the captain shares stories about its wildlife and Indigenous heritage as you cruise. Sunset Bend is the named stop where the light is strongest and the photo opportunities are best.

Is the dinner included in the ticket price?

Yes, the Drover's Sunset Cruise includes a two-course camp oven dinner at Smithy's Outback Dinner & Show, plus live entertainment. Drinks are available at the licensed bar onboard and at the dinner venue.

How long does the whole thing take?

The experience runs 4.5 hours from pickup to return, which includes the river cruise, the stop at Sunset Bend, and the dinner and show at Smithy's.

Can we bring young children?

Children from age 4 are welcome. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or travel in a pram or stroller. Call the office on 07 4658 3000 if you have questions about your child's comfort or needs.

What if we have dietary requirements?

The team can accommodate dietary needs, but you must call 07 4658 3000 before booking to arrange it — they cannot make changes to the menu without advance notice.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in the cruise package. The crew will collect you and return you at the end of the evening.