AFTER RAIN is a wonderful time to visit the outback. In the Tambo region, this kind of season gives you superb views of fat cattle dotting the landscape of heavily grassed, rolling plains.

When you reach Tambo itself, stop, relax and enjoy the slower pace of life this small friendly town offers. If you spend the night at one of the caravan parks, hotels or motels you go into the draw to win a fully dressed Tambo Teddy (pictured below). The Tambo Tourism and Business ­Association is providing this gorgeous prize and the winner will be drawn on October 23 at Angel Flight’s Outback Trailblazers’ Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

Call in and meet the friendly staff at the Visitor Information Centre located in the Grasslands@tambo building, pick up your brochures and take some time to enjoy the latest exhibition on display in the Grassland Art Gallery.

Tambo is the oldest town in the Central West and has a wealth of history which you can explore on the Heritage Walk. Tambo is located on the Barcoo River and you can enjoy the river by taking the Coolibah Walk which is located on the banks of the river.

From there, visit the Qantas crash site. Three lives were lost in the 1927 accident. This walk is best enjoyed early morning or in the afternoon when you will often come across native animals heading out or returning from a night’s foraging. The birdsong is sure to enchant you and you can watch the birds flitting through the trees on their very busy lives. So you can take your time, take your smoko or lunch and use one of the picnic tables dotted around the walk.

Tambo Lake and E. E. Parr Park both have free barbecues for you to enjoy. The dam is full and is attracting a lot of waterbird activity this year. There are some domestic ducks that will beg food scraps from you. An ezydump point is located next to the toilets at the lake and has ease of entry and exit.

If you just want to soak up some winter sunshine then the wide sunny verandah of the cafe is ideal, so enjoy a snack and relax or head to the hotels for a cappuccino and cake and enjoy their beergardens whiling away the hours.

All dining requirements are catered for in Tambo, with both hotels offering meals and the cafe and service station offering a range of meals and snacks. Chat to the locals and find out about this friendly town.

If you are looking for a four-wheel-drive experience then head out along the Wilderness Way which takes in the Salvator Rosa section of the Carnarvon National Park. This area is often called the ‘Roof of Queensland’ as its springs and creeks are the source for four of Australia’s major rivers. There is an amazing tangle of sandstone ranges and other natural features. Unique flora grows in the region and the sunny yellow blossoms of the wattle in late winter is a sight worth seeing. There are camping areas and walking tracks to enjoy this unique scenery.

For more information, contact the Visitor Information Centre - phone (07) 4621 6600, fax (07) 4621 6660, email tourism@btrc.qld.gov.au or go to the website at www.btrc.qld.gov.au.