Mount Isa to Darwin road trip: Stops, distance & drive time

Mount Isa to Darwin drive: Barkly Highway and Tennant Creek

The Barkly Highway is long, lonely road with pretty much nothing to see. The Barkly Homestead is mainly a fuel and food stop, although you can stay the night there if you wish.

It’s another 187km until you meet the Stuart Highway and the Threeways Roadhouse. This is 25km north of Tennant Creek, which is the logical if not exactly gripping overnight stop.

Tennant Creek accommodation options include the cheerful Safari Lodge Motel and the solid Goldfields Hotel Motel.

Things to do in Tennant Creek include discovering Indigenous heritage at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre. You can also take in the views from the Bill Allen Lookout and delve into gold rush history at the Battery Hill Mining Centre.

Next section: Renner Springs and Daly Waters.