There is something timeless about rolling into Eulo after a long run across Queensland’s vast open country. 

The bitumen stretches endlessly between Cunnamulla and Thargomindah, fringed with mulga scrub and red dirt, until suddenly the small township of Eulo appears – a green patch beside the Paroo River and home to one of the most character-filled pubs in the outback, the Eulo Queen Hotel.

If you’re coming from Hungerford in the south, you’ll earn your 4×4 stripes on the unsealed stretches that make for an adventurous run. But from every direction this is a place worth the drive – a genuine slice of outback life where history, hospitality and humour come together in perfect balance.

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Eulo Queen Hotel history

The Eulo Queen Hotel is steeped in legend, much of it thanks to one remarkable woman, Isabel Gray – better known as the Eulo Queen.

In the late 1800s, Isabel and her husband ran a general store, a hotel and an opal-buying business here. Draped in silk and lace while dealing with dusty miners, Isabel was as famous for her glamour as she was for her business sense. She hosted grand dinners, gambled freely and became known as the Queen of Eulo for her confidence, style and generosity.

Her story eventually turned scandalous, with accusations of immoral conduct, debts and courtroom drama splashed across newspapers from Brisbane to Melbourne, but her spirit has never faded. The Eulo Queen Hotel carries her name with pride, her portrait still watching over the bar – a reminder of a wild time when fortunes were won and lost on opals and grit.

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Restored outback pub and beer garden

Fast forward to today and the Eulo Queen Hotel has been given a new lease on life.

The current owners have scrubbed, painted and polished her back to her best. The timber bar has been restored, the dining area feels fresh yet familiar, and out the back a fantastic covered beer garden now provides a shady escape from the outback sun.

It has become the new social hub of town – a place where locals and travellers mingle easily, kids play in the dust, and the scent of a sizzling steak drifts through the air. As the sun sinks low the stories start flowing, and it’s easy to see why many visitors plan to stop for one night and end up staying for three.

Inside, the walls are lined with old photos and relics that tell the story of Eulo, from drovers and opal miners to station hands and travellers who have pulled up for a cold one over the years. The pub’s character shines through in every creaky floorboard and faded photo frame.

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Kenny the Diprotodon and mud baths

Step outside and you’ll spot Kenny, the town’s beloved Diprotodon statue, standing proudly across the road.

This life-sized model of Australia’s largest-ever marsupial – an ancient relative of the wombat – is a tribute to the megafauna fossils found in the region. He’s become a bit of a local celebrity, with travellers stopping to snap a selfie before heading to the pub for a drink.

A short stroll down the road you’ll find another of Eulo’s unique attractions: the Eulo Artesian Mud Baths. Run by locals, this little oasis is the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the road. You can soak in warm artesian mud rich in minerals, surrounded by the sounds of the bush as the last light fades over the Paroo. It’s rustic, natural and utterly relaxing – a one-of-a-kind outback spa experience.

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Camping and cabins at Eulo Queen

The Eulo Queen is not just a pub – it’s a place to rest your head and recharge.

Out the back, camping is available for $20 a night, with clean ablutions, shady spots and easy access to the bar for a nightcap. There are also cabins for those who prefer a proper bed and a bit more comfort after a long haul. Everything about it feels honest and uncomplicated, just how outback hospitality should be. Pull in, set up camp, have a yarn with whoever is sitting nearest and by the end of the evening you’ll feel like part of the family.

Eulo attractions and Paroo River activities

Eulo may be small, but it’s packed with personality.

The locals take great pride in their craft and their country. From handmade leather goods and beeswax products to the opal workshop and the gallery of local artist Lynda George, there’s plenty to explore on foot between beers.

The Paroo River, just a short drive or walk away, is perfect for fishing, yabbying or swimming. There’s even a secluded billabong nearby – ideal for rolling out the swag and watching the Milky Way rise. It’s these quiet, simple moments – sitting by the fire, listening to the breeze in the trees or soaking in the mud baths – that make Eulo unforgettable.

Verdict

What makes the Eulo Queen Hotel special is how seamlessly it blends its colourful past with the warmth of modern outback hospitality. The new owners have done an incredible job of restoring pride in this old pub, keeping its history alive while making it inviting for a new generation of travellers.

When the sun sets and the beer garden fills with the easy chatter of locals and visitors, it’s easy to imagine Isabel Gray herself smiling down on it all. The laughter, the stories, the sense of connection – it’s precisely what the outback has always been about.

So if your 4×4 adventures take you through south-west Queensland via the Adventure Way or Hungerford, make sure to pull up at the Eulo Queen Hotel. Whether you’re chasing the legend of the Eulo Queen, keen for a soak in the mud baths or just after a cold beer and good company, this is the place to stop. It’s more than a pub – it’s a living, breathing part of outback history, still writing new stories beside the Paroo River.

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Eulo Queen Hotel: Essential information

  • Where: Leo Street, Eulo, QLD, 4491
  • Contact: (07) 4655 4867 or 0417 544 339
  • Website: euloqueenhotel.com.au

Beers on tap

  • XXXX Gold
  • Great Northern Original
  • Great Northern Super Crisp
  • Brookvale Union Ginger Beer
  • Plus a wide range of stubbies, cans and ready-to-drink options.

Food highlights

  • Barista-made coffee all day
  • Homemade muffins and cookies
  • Lunch: 12pm-2pm (burgers, toasties, fish and chips, homemade pies)
  • Dinner: 6pm-8pm (reef and beef, king pork cutlet, pesto lamb rump, rump steak, chicken parmy, daily specials)
  • Open: 10am-midnight Mon to Sun (seasonal hours apply; limited meals Mon-Tue for in-house guests; closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Good Friday and Anzac Day)
MORE Info about the Eulo Queen Hotel!