Hughenden to Cloncurry: Distance, driving time & road trip stops
The distance from Hughenden to Cloncurry by car is 400km. Good stops to add to a Queensland outback road trip itinerary include Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond and the artesian pool in Julia Creek.
The Hughenden to Cloncurry drive crosses a section of outback Queensland along the Flinders Highway. Most people tackling it will be on a longer road trip – say from Charters Towers to Mount Isa or Townsville to Darwin.
Hughenden to Cloncurry distance and driving time
The Hughenden to Cloncurry drive is 400km in distance, with a driving time of around four hours and 24 minutes. For an international comparison, that’s the same distance as the drive from Kansas City to St Louis in Missouri.
There aren’t many great road trip stops on the way, but this is by no means Australia’s dullest drive.
Hughenden to Cloncurry road trip: Richmond, Queensland
The first town along the route is Richmond, Queensland – home to Kronosaurus Korner. Branding itself as “Australia’s premier marine fossil museum”, you’ll find it difficult to miss. There’s an 11 metre replica of marine reptile Kronosaurus queenslandicus outside.
The museum showcases more than 1,000 fossil specimens found in the area, but the stories of how they were found are more interesting than the fossils themselves.
Other Richmond attractions include the small Kronosaurus Water Park. You can stay the night at the roadhouse-style Midway Motel.
Hughenden to Cloncurry drive: Julia Creek
The next Hughenden to Cloncurry road trip stop is Julia Creek, about two-thirds of the way along. Here, you can stay at the Julia Creek Caravan Park, dip in the artesian pool, or join the Visitor Information Centre’s dunnart-feeding sessions.
It’s another 137km from Julia Creek to Cloncurry.
Things to do in Cloncurry include John Flynn Place and Cloncurry Unearthed.
John Flynn Place tells the story of the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Cloncurry Unearthed delves into minerals, mining and the tragic Burke and Wills expedition.
Cloncurry accommodation options include the characterful Gidgee Inn and the perfectly decent Leichhardt Hotel Motel.
More Queensland travel
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Do a quick flit to the Great Barrier Reef with the Reef Sprinter from Port Douglas.
Explore Charters Towers on the drive from Emerald to Townsville.