
9 Day Matilda Highway Northbound
From historical pioneer and pastoralist country to the rolling savannah plains, this is Outback Queensland at it's best! Total distance is 1674km.
Day 1 - Cunnamulla to Charleville 197km: Take a morning walk on the Cunnamulla Heritage Walking Trail. Depart Cunnamulla and head due north for Charleville. Visit the 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.
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 2 - Charleville to Blackall 304 km: Depart Charleville. Travel north for 203km to reach 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.
Depart Tambo. Travel northwest for 101km to the town of Blackall. Ease away those driving aches in the Blackall Aquatic Centre and artesian spa.
Overnight at Blackall.
Day 3 - Blackall to Longreach 214km: Travel north for 106km to the town of Barcaldine. Get a taste of outback life at the Australian Worker's Heritage Centre.
Continue west through the open plains for 108km to reach the town of Longreach, home of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame. 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 4 - Longreach - optional exploring day: Explore Longreach's other attractions. Head 120km southwest to Lochern National Park, home to a variety of birds and mammals. Alternatively join your Savannah Guide, Alan Smith, of Outback Aussie Tours on one of their award winning full day tours of the region.
Overnight at Longreach.
Day 5 - Longreach to Winton 176km: Drive northwest for 176 kms to reach the heart of Waltzing Matilda country, Winton. Be sure to visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre and the National Trust listed Corfield & Fitzmaurice Store,. 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 6 - 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 7 - Winton to Cloncurry 347km: Drive 145km northwest towards the town of Kynuna. Visit the Combo Waterhole Conservation Park, 5km off the main highway on an unsealed road (dry weather only). The waterhole is said to be the inspiration for Banjo Paterson's "Waltzing Matilda".
Continue 16km further north to the little town of Kynuna, a good spot for a cold beer at the 100 year old Blue Heeler Hotel.
Continue northwest for 186kms to Cloncurry, passing through the town of McKinlay, home to the Walkabout Creek Hotel featured in the movie "Crocodile Dundee".
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 8 - Cloncurry to Normanton 375km: Head north through the little town of Quamby 43 km north of Cloncurry. Enjoy an ice cream or refuel at the Burke and Wills roadhouse 137km further on. This is the turn off for Gregory Downs and Lawn Hill National Park. Continue on to Normanton where you join your Savannah Guide, Dennis Taney, of Norman River Fishing & Cruises for a sunset crocodile and bird-watching cruise on the Norman River.
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 9 - Normanton to Karumba 72km: Take a four-hour fishing and wildlife 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 before heading north for Karumba. (Please contact 07 4745 1391 for departure times and dates. Bookings essential).
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