Brisbane to Darwin road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Brisbane to Tennant Creek drive: Landsborough Highway
If you go straight up the Landsborough Highway instead, you’ll pass through Augathella, Tambo and Blackall on the way to Barcaldine. The star attraction in the latter is Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre. This museum tells the tale of the 1891 Shearers’ Strike and subsequent formation of the Australian Labor Party.
Barcaldine accommodation options include the solid Barcaldine Country Motor Inn.
Brisbane to Darwin overnight stops: Longreach and Winton
Longreach is arguably the best stop on the Brisbane to Tennant Creek drive. The Qantas Founders Museum looks at the story of Australia’s oldest airline. The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre has great evening shows. And a Thomson River cruise is a lovely way to enjoy the sunset.
4 Longreach experiences to book before you arrive
- 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.
Longreach accommodation picks
Longreach offers a surprisingly interesting range of accommodation. The options particularly worthy of consideration are…
- For central location and a pool: Abajaz Motor Inn or Longreach Motor Inn.
- For luxury glamping: Mitchell Grass Retreat.
- For charm and character: Saltbush Retreat.
Winton brims with attractions, too. Australian Age of Dinosaurs looks at the wealth of dinosaur fossils found around Winton. There’s also the Waltzing Matilda Centre, which celebrates Australia’s national poem, composed by Banjo Paterson nearby.
Winton accommodation recommendations
Australian hotel specialist Wotif offers accommodation in Winton for from $138 a night. Search the options here.
But the best bets are…
- For best quality: Winton Outback Motel.
- For best value (and a pool): Boulder Opal Motor Inn.
- For families: Hamilton Retreat.
- For heritage: North Gregory Hotel.
Click through for the next section: Cloncurry and Mount Isa.