Melbourne to Mackay inland road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Melbourne to Mackay road trip: Charleville to Tambo
You’ll join the Landsborough Highway just south of Augathella, which has plenty of murals and a rather puzzling Giant Meat Ant Statue.
If stopping overnight, Augathella accommodation options include the Augathella Palms Motel and Augathella Motel and Caravan Park.
The next town is Tambo, where you can visit the outback teddy-makers at Tambo Teddies.
This is where you branch off the Landsborough Highway along the Dawson Developmental Road towards Windeyer. Here, the road becomes the Alpha-Tambo Road.
Tambo to Clermont
It’s 166km from Tambo to Alpha, with nothing to get you excited along the way.
Alpha has a racecourse, golf course, caravan park and fuel station – but Clermont, another 180km away – is the better overnight stop.
Here, the Clermont Historical Centre tells tales of gold prospecting and the devastating 1916 flood that killed 65 people.
Top Clermont accommodation options
The best places to stay in Clermont are:
- For a cheap, decent motel for a one night stay: Clermont Hotel Motel.
- For a bit of character, plus a pool, restaurant and gardens: Clermont Country Motor Inn.
- For overall quality: Smart Stayzzz Inns.
Click through to the next section: Peak Downs Highway.