Review: My Bilby Experience in Charleville, Outback QLD!

If you’re heading out west, one of the most unique things you can do is visit the Bilby Experience in Charleville. This conservation project gives you the rare chance to see these endangered, nocturnal creatures up close, while also learning about the incredible work being done to protect them in Outback Queensland.

But if you’ve never been before, you might be wondering, what exactly is the Bilby Experience, how much does it cost, and is it really worth stopping for on your way through Charleville? With limited time on an Outback trip, it’s easy to overlook smaller attractions like this, especially if you’re unsure what to expect.

On our visit, we joined the Bilby Experience tour and were genuinely impressed. In this review, I’ll cover everything you need to know before going. I’ll also share my honest thoughts on whether this experience should earn a spot on your Outback Queensland itinerary.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please read my disclaimer, T&C’s & privacy policy here.

My Review of The Bilby Experience in Charleville!

Overall, I think the Bilby experience is worth seeing on your First-time visit to Charleville. Seeing the Bilby’s running around in their enclosure is very cute and I love how the money raised with your ticket price, goes towards helping their survival called the “Save the Bilby fund “.

Ultimately, I would prefer to see animals like this in the wild. However, that’s not always possible. On the other hand, a creature like this that’s under attack by other wildlife, needs protection in place to ensure it’s survival.

Habitats like this help ensure they don’t end up on the endangered list or extinct.

Where is it ?

The Bilby Experience is easy to find and located right next door to the Tourist Information Centre.

This building happens to be the Old Railway station, in Outback Queensland and known for its old-style architecture. You book the tickets online and meet in the office before walking into the building next door.

Tip: I do recommend booking your tickets before arriving in town. This tour has limited numbers and tends to book out quickly.

The presentation!

Firstly, you’re guided into a projection room and seated in front of the presentation. There is plenty of reading material around you to look at and learn about the Bilbies. This includes where you can find them, what they are and what there doing to save them.

Don’t stress about not having enough time to read up on all of it, as there are a couple of moment to get the chance. Plus the guides will discuss some of this in their talk, which I always find better with explanation!

The guide will chat with you for about 30 minutes and flick through the screen presentation slides. Then you split into two groups (depending on numbers), and you’ll be directed into a dark room behind the projector.

About the Nocturnal Habitat

As they are nocturnal animals, there is red lighting in their habitat to allow the tourists to see the Bilbies during the day. I’m sure there were at least five of them running around, scratching, digging, and playing.

It’s hard to get decent photo or video of these guys running around, but I managed to get enough to highlight it for this blog post today.

You’re in this nocturnal room seeing the Bilbies for about 10 minutes, and then the second group goes in. While you’re wandering around, you can read everything on the walls or buy some souvenirs at the gift shop.

How much Does the Tour Cost?

The Bilby Experience in Charleville costs $26 per adult / $16 Per Child and takes about 1 hour to complete. Sessions can be booked twice daily at 9am and 3pm (More on weekends) and you’ll check into the Visitor Information Centre beforehand.

If you’re looking for the best activities in town, then this and the Cosmos Centre, should be at the top of your list!

What is the “Save the Bilby Fund”

This remarkable organization has been tirelessly working to conserve one of Australia’s most unique animals. And they are not alone in their efforts! In March 2015, the Fund initiated the Greater Bilby Recovery Summit, which brought together experts from all over Australia! 

With stakeholders from 29 different groups, including indigenous ranger groups, big charities like the Wildlife Conservation Society, and even wildlife parks that assist with the breeding program.

This summit was a true reflection of the passion and dedication required to save this precious species. 

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

FAQ’s – Common Questions?

The breeding program in place?

To prevent this extinction, experts suggest maintaining essential genetic diversity and building up their numbers in safe locations. This should enable the re-introduction of bilbies into specially managed areas. Thankfully, bilbies are a fast breeding animal and have an amazing capacity to adapt to our harsh outback.

Located on government-owned land, the facility allows them to breed bilbies and condition them for release into sanctuaries across the country. People work tirelessly with the recovery team to maintain the genetic diversity of these unique animals, which is crucial to their survival. 

What is the Bilby Fence?

Since the population has been struggling due to feral animals and predators, this is where the Bilby Fence at Currawinya National Park comes in. This incredible fence was designed to keep those harmful animals out, giving the bilbies a safe space to thrive and reproduce. 

The fence spans over 25 square kilometres and cost a whopping $ 500,000 to build! But when you think about the value of preserving these unique and precious creatures, it’s a small price to pay.

With the Fence in place since 2003, we can rest assured that those little guys are getting the best protection they can have.

Are they released into the wild eventually?

After successfully reducing the feral cats behind the fence, they can proudly say that they have released plenty of bilbies into their new home!

Seeing how the community has grown is impressive, with the best estimate placing the population at over 3 thousand. And the good news doesn’t stop there: the breeding program ensures that these adorable critters continue to thrive in their new environment. 

What do Bilby’s eat?

The Bilby is an omnivorous creature who will munch on almost anything they can find in their desert habitats, from bulbs and fruit to seeds and fungi. But there’s one food that truly holds a special place in their heart (or should we say stomach): the bush onion, also known as yalka. These little guys absolutely love this plant, which grows in desert sand plains after fires.

Fun fact: Bilbies have adapted over millions of years to survive without permanent water, obtaining the majority of their moisture from their food. 

Other Things to do Nearby?

If you’re looking for even more things to do in Charleville, here’s a list of 10 top experiences that showcase the best of Outback Queensland’s charm and character.

• Cosmos Centre – Gaze at the stars through powerful telescopes and learn about the southern night sky. It’s one of the best stargazing experiences in Australia thanks to Charleville’s clear, outback skies.

• Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre – Learn about the incredible history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service through interactive displays and stories that show how vital this service is to remote communities.
• WWII Secret Base – Step back in time at this fascinating site where the USAAF was based during World War II. Guided tours reveal hidden wartime stories that shaped Charleville’s history.

• Charleville Historic House Museum – Explore a collection of heritage items, photographs, and stories that paint a picture of early life in Charleville and the wider outback region.
• Warrego River Walk (Free) – Take a peaceful stroll along the riverbank walking tracks, with opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, or simply relaxing in nature.
• Charleville Botanic Reserve (Free) – Discover native plants and ecosystems unique to outback Queensland on self-guided walks through this well-preserved natural reserve.

• Vortex Rainmaking Guns (Free) – See the unusual remains of a failed rainmaking experiment from the early 1900s — a quirky piece of outback history.
• Charleville Swimming Pool and Water Park (Low-cost) – Cool off on a hot day at this local spot, complete with pools, shaded areas, and family-friendly water play features.

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading this blog post today on the Charleville Bilby Experience and I hope you found what you were looking for. Although, If you’re still researching you can get more Outback Queensland insider tips and articles HERE for planning and inspiration.

• Best Things to see in Outback Queensland
• Things to do in Birdsville QLD
• Risks of Night Driving in Outback Queensland
• Best Things to do in Windorah QLD
• Carnarvon Gorge Walks & Sites in the National Park
• How to Get to Rainbow Falls in the Blackdown Tablelands National Park
• Best Things to do in Longreach!
• Best Things to do in Winton that are worth visiting!