Hughenden to Mount Isa: Distance, drive time & road trip stops

The Hughenden to Mount Isa drive covers a 521km distance in a driving time of around 5h49m. Top road trip attractions include Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond, the artesian pool at Julia Creek and John Flynn Place in Cloncurry.

The Hughenden to Mount Isa drive covers a vast section of Queensland outback. Most travellers will probably encounter it as part of a longer road trip, from Townsville to Alice Springs or Townsville to Darwin.

Mount Isa has a surprising amount to offer visitors, including an eerie uranium mine and ghost town tour, outback scenic flights and sunset drinks overlooking Lake Moondarra.

Hughenden to Mount Isa distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Hughenden to Mount Isa is 521km. That makes for a driving time of around five hours and 49 minutes. That’s doable in a day, although there are a few road trip stops along the way that you might want to consider.

7 great Mount Isa experiences you really ought to know about

Hard Times underground mine tour – led by a miner.
Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre tickets – with optional laboratory tour.
Combo ticket for Isa Experience Heritage Display, Outback Park and Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Small group scenic flight – flying over the vast mines.
Lake Moondarra sunset tour – with drinks and food platter.
Pay a visit to the bizarre World War II era Underground Hospital.
Mary Kathleen abandoned mine and ghost town tour.

Hughenden to Mount Isa road trip: Richmond and Julia Creek

It’s 400km from Hughenden to Cloncurry, and the only places of interest on that section of the journey are Richmond and Julia Creek.

In Richmond you can explore marine fossils at Kronosaurus Korner, splash around at the Kronosaurus Water Park and stay the night at the Midway Motel.

In Julia Creek, you can go swimming in the artesian pool and feed dunnarts with the staff of the Visitor Information Centre. It’s also possible to stay the night at the Julia Creek caravan park.

Hughenden to Mount Isa drive: Cloncurry attractions

The best road trip stop between Hughenden and Mount Isa is Cloncurry, however.

Things to do in Cloncurry include John Flynn Place – which tells you all about the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service – and Cloncurry Unearthed.

The latter covers the tragic Burke and Wills expedition, as well as less gripping local mining and mineral finds.

Cloncurry accommodation options include the charming Gidgee Inn and the functional Leichhardt Hotel Motel.

Attractions between Hughenden and Mount Isa: Barkly Highway

The Flinders Highway becomes the Barkly Highway in Cloncurry. And it’s the Barkly Highway that the last leg from Cloncurry to Mount Isa takes place on.

Top attractions on this leg of the journey include the Burke and Wills Memorial, swimmer-friendly Corella Dam and the eerie, abandoned ghost town of Mary Kathleen.

Things to do in Mount Isa once there include the Riversleigh Fossil Centre, underground tours of the Hard Times Mine and the Mount Isa Family Fun Park.

7 great Mount Isa experiences you really ought to know about

Hard Times underground mine tour – led by a miner.
Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre tickets – with optional laboratory tour.
Combo ticket for Isa Experience Heritage Display, Outback Park and Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Small group scenic flight – flying over the vast mines.
Lake Moondarra sunset tour – with drinks and food platter.
Pay a visit to the bizarre World War II era Underground Hospital.
Mary Kathleen abandoned mine and ghost town tour.

Mount Isa activity options include a two hour best-of Mount Isa tour, outback scenic flights, a sunset drinks tour to Lake Moondarra and a fascinating visit to the abandoned Mary Kathleen uranium mine.

Mount Isa accommodation picks include the peppy four star Copper City Motel, the centrally-located Icon on Isa and the family-friendly Discovery Parks Argylla.