Longreach to Tennant Creek road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Longreach to Tennant Creek road trip: Cloncurry to Camooweal

On the way from Cloncurry to Mount Isa along the Barkly Highway, decent stops include the Burke and Wills Memorial, the Corella Dam swimming hole and the eerie ghost town at Mary Kathleen.

Mount Isa, the last proper-sized town in Queensland has several attractions. These include the Riversleigh Fossil Centre, the 4.2km walking track up Telstra Hill, and underground tours at the Hard Times Mine.

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

For Mount Isa accommodation, try the peppy four star Copper City Motel, the centrally-located Icon on Isa and the roadtripper-friendly Discovery Parks Argylla.

The next stretch from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek is a long 661km slog, requiring careful use of fuel stops. The only town on the route is Camooweal, just on the Queensland side of the Northern Territory border.

Things to do in Camooweal include finding out about cattle droving at the Drovers Camp, and admiring the cave mouths in Wiliyan-ngurru National Park.

Camooweal is also the gateway to Boodjamulla National Park, home of Lawn Hill Gorge.

Longreach to Tennant Creek drive: Camooweal to Tennant Creek

After Camooweal, there’s no fuel for another 260km, so stock up at the Barkly Homestead when you arrive.

The Brisbane to Tennant Creek drive finally meets the Stuart Highway at the Threeways Roadhouse. Tennant Creek lies 25km to the south, and is realistically the best overnight stop, wherever you’re heading next.

Things to do in Tennant Creek include taking in Indigenous heritage at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre. Other options include the Bill Allen Lookout and gold rush heritage at the Battery Hill Mining Centre.

Tennant Creek accommodation

Specialist Australian accommodation booking site Wotif offers Tennant Creek accommodation for from $140 a night. Check the top deals page for the best rates.

However, to narrow down the shortlist, consider these options first.