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Suggested Itineraries

9 Day Matilda Highway Southbound

From rolling savannah plains to historical pioneer and pastoralist country, this is Outback Queensland at it's best! Total distance is 1674km.

Day 1 - Karumba to Normanton 72km: Take a four-hour fishing and wildlife cruise or a sunset crocodile and bird-watching cruise with your Savannah Guide, Dennis Taney, of Norman River Fishing & Cruises. Alternatively, take a stroll around some of Normanton's Historic Buildings or take a ride on the Savannah Guides Historic Gulflander Train (Please contact 07 4745 1391 for departure times and dates. Bookings essential). Normanton marks the intersection of the Matilda Highway with the Savannah Way. You can follow the Savannah Way west to the Northern Territory (4 wheel drive only) or east to Cairns on a sealed highway. Overnight in Normanton.

Day 2 - Normanton to Cloncurry 375km: Enjoy an ice cream or refuel at the Burke and Wills roadhouse 194km down the track. This is the turn off for Gregory Downs and Lawn Hill National Park. Continue south for Cloncurry, passing through the little town of Quamby, 43 km north of Cloncurry. Cloncurry is the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Spend a few hours at their visitor centre at John Flynn Place. Find out about local mining history at the Mary Kathleen Memorial Park and Museum. Head up Sunset Hill for a great view over the town and the chance to relax at the end of another outback day. Overnight at Cloncurry.

Day 3 - Cloncurry to Winton 347km: Drive 107km southeast to the town of McKinlay, home to the Walkabout Creek Hotel featured in the movie "Crocodile Dundee". Continue 75km south to the little town of Kynuna, a good spot for a cold beer at the 100-year-old Blue Heeler Hotel. Visit the Combo Waterhole Conservation Park 16km south of Kyuna. The park is 5km off the main highway on an unsealed road (dry weather access only). The waterhole is said to be the inspiration for Banjo Paterson's "Waltzing Matilda". Be sure to visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre and the National Trust listed Corfield & Fitzmaurice Store in Winton, 150km further on. If you are lucky enough to be in town on a Wednesday night, you can see a movie at the Royal Theatre, one of the last remaining open air picture theatres still operating in Australia. Overnight at Winton.

Day 4 - Optional Day at Winton: Join your Savannah Guide Paul Neilsen of Diamantina Outback Tours on a 4-wheel drive tour to spectacular Merton Escarpment and Lark Quarry Environmental Park, 100km southwest of Winton. The quarry is the site of the only known exposed dinosaur stampede trackways in the world. Overnight at Winton.

Day 5 - Winton to Longreach 176km: Discover some of Longreach's attractions: the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, and the Longreach School of Distance Education. Join Savannah Guide Alan Smith of Outback Aussie Tours for a sunset and stars evening cruise, or an evening tour to the historic town of Ilfracombe complete with buffet dinner and stockman show. (Advance bookings required). Overnight at Longreach.

Day 6 - Longreach - optional exploring day: Join your Savannah Guide, Alan Smith, of Outback Aussie Tours on one of their award winning full day tours of the region. Alternatively, head 120km southwest to Lochern National Park, home to a variety of birds and mammals. Overnight at Longreach.

Day 7 - Longreach to Blackall 214km: Continue east, passing through the town of Ilfracombe, 27km east of Longreach. The Ilfracombe Machinery and Heritage Museum houses a great display of historical implements and machinery. Continue east through the open plains for 81km to reach the town of Barcaldine. Get a taste of outback life at the Australian Worker's Heritage Centre. Travel south for 106km to the town of Blackall. Learn how the early pioneers used steam-driven machinery to clean and dry wool at The Blackall Historical Woolscour. Ease away those driving aches in the Blackall Aquatic Centre and artesian spa. Overnight at Blackall.

Day 8 - Blackall to Charleville 304 km: Travel southeast for 101km to the town of Tambo, the oldest town in Central West Queensland. Take a walk around town on the Tambo Heritage Walking Trail. Visit the Tambo Teddies Workshop - the teddies are made from local wool and exported round the world. Continue south for 203km to Charleville. The skies in this region are amongst the clearest in the world making it a great place for stargazing. Visit the Cosmos Centre for a guided tour of the night sky. Overnight at Charleville.

Day 9 - Charleville to Cunnamulla 197km: Before heading south for Cunnamulla, visit Charleville's museum situated in the Historic former Queensland Bank building, built in the 1880s. Find out about school in the outback at the School of Distance Education.

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