It is no secret that one of the most important ingredients to any tour is the knowledge and passion of your tour guide. They welcome you into their world and show you the country through their eyes. Our Indigenous & Wild Queensland tour has two of the very best – a stockman from a remote cattle station and an expert Indigenous guide ready to privy you to their unique and compelling corners of the Australian Outback.
In Outback Queensland, four hours from the nearest town, our guide Shelly, owns a remote cattle station with her husband. They have been living and working here for over 20 years. So isolated is their home, that Shelly’s children did their schooling through a combination of ‘School of the Air’ and boarding school. It is a part of the world Shelly fell in love with at first sight, and as a stockman, she has been able to discover the extent of her vast land surrounding the property on horseback.
Completely inaccessible to other travellers, Shelly’s contrasting landscape is scattered with impressive rock formations, towering gorges, tranquil waterholes, and bushland that is teeming with wildlife. You can expect to see scampering frill-neck lizards, goannas, lurking emu’s, curious wallabies, and even wild brumbies. Whilst Shelly is used to being in the saddle, with her guests, she savours travelling on foot instead and being able to deliver a luxurious experience. “Spoiling our guests in our remote location, with fine wines and gourmet food, is a privilege,” she explains.
Being truly off the grid thwarts interruptions from the outside world, allowing nature to take centre stage. Shelly recounts a recent story of setting up a gourmet picnic lunch for her group by a waterhole, when some brumbies, a mare and young foal, emerged from the bush to drink. They were followed protectively by a beautifully grand stallion. For around an hour, the mare and foal grazed contentedly, while the stallion kept a close eye on the picnickers – his instincts to look protect his family on full display. A truly magnificent moment to absorb. Guests also find the rare experience of visiting a working cattle station and witnessing a cattle muster first-hand absolutely thrilling.
For Shelly, demonstrating her passion, respect, and care for the land, its history, and their cattle, is the most valuable lesson she can pass on to her guests. “We love and look after both the land and cattle” she says. “Both of these things are our livelihood, and we want to be able to pass these incredible resources and assets onto our future generations”.
Further north, in a part of the outback that carries a wealth of history, our expert Indigenous guide, Johnny, is the perfect host. A traditional custodian of the land that he welcomes his guests to, Johnny recalls that it was while he was sitting by a camp fire and “living like a king” that he realised he wanted to share this part of the world with others. For him, it is all about building a bridge of understanding about how life was lived pre-colonisation, and how the elders survived and thrived due to their deep connection with the land.
With the knowledge of the land that has been passed by the Aboriginal People from generation to generation, Johnny guides you through the bush pointing out sources of food, plants that will heal and harm, and trees that can be carved into weapons. His ancestral stories tell not just of the lives of the Indigenous People of the area prior to colonialisation, but their experiences through other points of Australia’s history including the gold rush, and even some interactions with bushrangers. Combined with Johnny’s own historical expertise, an intriguing and untold picture is painted of Australia’s evolution.
A highlight for Johnny is the reaction of guests as he introduces them to a 20,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art site. The open-air gallery contains hundreds of paintings and carvings that are a direct link to his ancestry, and a cultural treasure. He remembers the amazement of an experienced archaeologist who he once had as a guest, who explained that after years of working in the field they had never come across a site so rich in culture.
At sunset, as his guests relax around a campfire, Johnny will often play the Yigi Yigi (didjeridoo) and let the sound echo through the surrounding landscape the way it has for thousands of years. It is an intimate and moving experience, and one that our guest’s savour. “I’m bringing them to my home, and they feel it” Johnny says.
Join us on our Indigenous and Wild Queensland small group tour to travel with Johnny and Shelly and make this experience yours!
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
Why travellers love our Signature Tours:
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Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
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Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
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Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
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Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
Why travellers love our Partner Tours:
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