Blackall to Longreach road trip: Distance, driving time & stops

The Blackall to Longreach drive through outback Queensland covers a 214km distance in a driving time of around 2h18m. Barcaldine is the best road trip stop along the way.

The drive from Blackall to Longreach connects two of the more interesting towns in outback Queensland. The drive is along the Landsborough Highway, and is likely to form part of a longer road trip – say from Brisbane to Mount Isa or Brisbane to Darwin.

Longreach offers evocative cruises along the Thomson River, adventures on an old-fashioned stagecoach and an outback sheep station experience. To investigate the best Longreach tour and activity options, head this way. To pick the right Longreach accommodation, nosey around here.

4 Longreach experiences to book before you arrive

Exploring the Thomson River on a Longreach river cruise

Starlights river cruise – take in sunset along the Thomson River aboard a paddlewheeler.
Cobb & Co stagecoach experience – travel along an outback dirt road pulled by galloping horses.
Wildlife and woolsheds tour on a double decker bus through Nogo Station.
Dinosaur-packed day tour to Winton.

Blackall to Longreach distance and driving time

The distance from Blackall to Longreach by car is 214km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 18 minutes. For an international comparison, this is the same distance as the Pittsburgh to Cleveland drive in the US.

Obviously, this can be covered in one stint behind the wheel, but you might want to add a stop in Barcaldine to the road trip itinerary.

Blackall to Longreach road trip: Blackall attractions

Before leaving Blackall, you can go for a swim at the Blackall Aquatic Centre, where the pool is fed by an artesian bore.

There are also art installations around the town, while the Blackall Wool Scour delves into the back story of the local wool industry.

Blackall to Longreach drive: Barcaldine attractions

Barcaldine is about halfway between Blackall and Longreach, and is a perfect journey-breaker.

Things to do in Barcaldine include visiting the Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre. This is home to several old buildings transplanted from other parts of the country, but it also tells the tale of the 1891 Shearers’ Strike.

This strike led to changes in industrial relations across Australia, and the birth of the Australian Labor Party.

The stump of the Tree of Knowledge, where the striking shearers met, is now surrounded by a striking wooden cube memorial.

Blackall to Longreach drive: Longreach attractions

Once in Longreach, the obvious highlights are the Qantas Founders Museum and Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

The former tells the story of Australia’s biggest airline, and the latter is all about the revered station workers. It includes expert demonstrations of horsemanship and sheep mustering.