Nighttime view of the Royal Theatre with neon lights and marquee signs, parked cars along the street, and a pedestrian crossing.

● Elderslie Street, Winton

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Why winton?

Winton is a small town in Outback Queensland, around 1,350 kilometres west of Brisbane. It’s known for its strong connection to Australian film, wide open landscapes and easygoing outback hospitality, making it a natural home for the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.

It’s the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda, where Banjo Paterson first recited the poem in 1895. It’s where QANTAS found its beginnings. And its rugged, inspiring landscape has earned it the title “Hollywood in the Outback”, with major productions like The Proposition (2005) and Mystery Road (2013) filmed among its ancient vistas.

Iconic local landmarks include:

  • The Royal Theatre – a 1918 open-air cinema and the home of our nightly screenings.

  • The Waltzing Matilda Centre

  • Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum

  • Rangelands Rifts

  • The Musical Fence

  • Home of the Crack Up Sisters

There is nowhere in Australia quite like Winton, and nowhere better to experience Australian cinema.

Front view of Watson Hotel with a black Ford pickup truck parked in front, large white signage on the dark gray building, and a sign indicating it is open on the black window to the right.

● Winton Hotel

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getting to winton

Winton is located in Outback Queensland and is accessible by road or air.

Most visitors arrive as part of a winter road trip, often travelling via Longreach or other regional centres. There are also regular flights into nearby Longreach, with car hire available for the final leg of the journey.

For the most up-to-date information on travel routes, drive times and transport options, we recommend visiting experiencewinton.com.au

Learn more
Birds flying in the evening sky over a street with power lines, string lights, and buildings.

● Elderslie Street, Winton

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Where to stay

Winton offers a range of accommodation options, including hotels, motels, bnbs caravan parks and camping - many within walking distance of festival venues.

Accommodation can book out during the festival period, so we recommend planning ahead and booking early.

A full list of accommodation providers is available via experiencewinton.com.au, who can help you find the option that best suits your travel plans.

find accommodation
A miniature diorama of a desert landscape with model dinosaurs and trees.

● The Australian Age of Dinosaurs

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what else to see

Many visitors build extra time around the festival to explore the region. Highlights include museums, heritage attractions, fossil discoveries and classic outback landscapes.

If you’re planning a longer stay or want ideas beyond the festival, Experience Winton is the best place to start.

see & do in winton

Plan your Winton visit

Vision Splendid is designed to be experienced as more than just a screening, it’s an opportunity to visit a remarkable outback town and make the journey part of the story.

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