Camooweal to Barkly Homestead distance & driving time

The Camooweal to Barkly Homestead drive covers a 260km distance, with a driving time of around 2h43m. The best stop along the route is the Avon Downs Rest Area.

The drive from Camooweal to Barkly Homestead covers one of the loneliest stretches of road in Australia. It is likely to form part of a longer road trip, and is on the Mount Isa to Tennant Creek leg of the drive from Brisbane to Darwin or Townsville to Alice Springs.

Camooweal is the last town in Queensland before crossing the Northern Territory border. It has a surprising amount going for it, including the admirably educational Drovers Camp and the gigantic cave mouths of Wiliyan-ngurru National Park.

It also acts as the gateway to Boodjamulla National Park and Lawn Hill Gorge.

Camooweal to Barkly Homestead distance

By car, the distance from Camooweal to Barkly Homestead is 260km. This makes for a driving time of around two hours and 43 minutes.

It’s a particularly dull drive, but the most important thing to note is that there are no fuel stops along the way. The drive from Camooweal to Barkly Homestead is about as far as you can go in Australia without encountering a petrol station. This is the main reason that Barkly Homestead is of any note – you pretty much have to stop there to refuel.

For anyone thinking of chancing it, let’s emphasise the point: There are no fuel stops on the 260km drive from Camooweal to Barkly Homestead.

Camooweal to Barkly Homestead drive: Avon Downs Rest Area

There are realistically only two stops worth noting on this stretch of the Barkly Highway. First of all, there’s the Northern Territory border sign. That makes for a photo memento, if nothing else.

Secondly, around 70km west of Camooweal, you’ll reach the Avon Downs Rest Area. This isn’t a fancy place, but you’re permitted to camp out overnight, while there are also picnic tables and barbecues provided. There are also toilets and a water supply.