Major city · Australia
Theodore
Stop for 2–4 hours, not a night: Dawson River weir, folk museum and a pub meal, then push on to Rockhampton or Taroom.
Theodore is a small irrigation town of about 450 people on the Leichhardt Highway in Central Queensland, roughly 2.5 hours south of Rockhampton and 1 hour north of Taroom. It was laid out as a model garden town, so the wide boulevards are the main sight. There is one pub with rooms, one café and a local museum — enough for a leg-stretch, not a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (dry, mild days)
- avoid Dec–Feb (hot, humid, storm and flood risk)
- Airports
- ROK · BNE
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Theodore000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Theodore, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA quiet rural town; the real risks are the drive (wildlife, fatigue, floodwater) and summer heat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile · 13 19 40 Road closures and conditions (QLDTraffic)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportROK Rockhampton Airport (About 2.5 h drive north; the nearest airport with regular flights).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at the caféA$5–8 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerBeer at the pubA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedCampsite or caravan park site, a night, per personA$15 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedPub room (Hotel Theodore), a night, per roomA$140 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedPub room (Hotel Theodore), a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$60 (≈ US$40) · Mid A$120 (≈ US$80) · High A$220 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ROK Rockhampton Airport (About 2.5 h drive north; the nearest airport with regular flights) · BNE Brisbane Airport (About 6–7 h drive south; long-haul gateway)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Dec (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Theodore: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Dec
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town centre sits about 1 km south of the Leichhardt Highway (A5) via The Boulevard. Everything in town is a short walk once you have parked.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Taroom
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Leichhardt Highway (A5) south, about 100 km (62 mi)Leichhardt Highway (A5) south, about 62 mi (100 km)
Small town with a bakery and a pioneer-history stop; pairs well with the drive south.
Banana
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Leichhardt Highway (A5) north, about 60 km (37 mi)Leichhardt Highway (A5) north, about 37 mi (60 km)
Tiny stop with a pub and a rest area; useful for a break, not a day out.
Rockhampton
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Leichhardt Highway (A5) north, about 2.5 h
Too far for a return day; use it as the next stop on the highway.
Miles
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Leichhardt Highway (A5) south, about 225 km (140 mi)Leichhardt Highway (A5) south, about 140 mi (225 km)
A full driving day; sleep there rather than doubling back.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The Boulevard (town centre)
Hotel Theodore at 27 The Blvd is the practical option; everything else is a drive away.
Free and low-cost camps along the Dawson River
Check current rules and any fees before you park; some sites are seasonal.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$60–110 (≈ US$40–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$110–200 (≈ US$75–140) excl. bed
- High
- A$200 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub room (Hotel Theodore)1 × 1 night × A$140 | A$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$120 | A$240 |
| Fuel top-up (about 40 L)1 × A$80 · check | A$80 |
| Pub counter meal2 × A$30 | A$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$57 |
| Trip total≈ A$314 per person per day, bed included | A$627≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea at the café | A$5–8 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub counter meal | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer at the pub | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Fuel, per litrecheck | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fuel up in Taroom, Banana or Moura before you arrive; do not assume a 24-hour servo in town.
- Kangaroos and cattle on the highway at dawn and dusk.
- Summer storms can close the Leichhardt Highway with floodwater; check road conditions before driving.
- Mobile coverage is patchy on the surrounding back roads.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- Road closures and conditions (QLDTraffic)
- 13 19 40
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TheodoreTheodore
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- Road conditions (QLDTraffic)13 19 40
Embassy
No consulates in Theodore; the nearest are in Brisbane. US, UK, Canadian and other embassies and consulates-general are in Canberra and the state capitals.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Theodore → Rockhampton, drive: about 2.5 h, roughly 200 km (124 mi) (check)about 2.5 h, roughly 124 mi (200 km) (check)
- Theodore → Taroom, drive: about 1 h, roughly 100 km (62 mi) (check)about 1 h, roughly 62 mi (100 km) (check)
- Fuel top-up, 40 L: about A$80 (≈ US$55) (check)
Say or show
- Where's the servo? — Where is the fuel station?
- Is the highway open? — Is the highway open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Where's the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the working language; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Theodore. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep (dry, mild days) · avoid Dec–Feb (hot, humid, storm and flood risk) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Highway-stop contract for Theodore: fuel, food and toilet stops field-checked between Taroom and Banana.
- Walking cluster for the town centre: weir, water tower, folk museum and the pub, with opening hours verified.
- Flood and storm fixtures for the Leichhardt Highway so the page can flag closures in real time.
- Eat pages with last orders and kitchen closing times for the café and the pub.
Sources
- officialQueensland — Theodore and the Dawson River
- officialBanana Shire Council — Theodore
- secondaryDawson Folk Museum
- officialHotel Theodore
- secondaryWikivoyage: Theodore, revision 5025564 (CC BY-SA 4.0)