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

Mount Isa to Darwin road trip: Larrimah and Mataranka

The 168km leg from Daly Waters to Mataranka is not exactly attraction-packed. You best road trip stop is Larrimah, which hosts the Pink Panther Roadhouse and the Larrimah Hotel. The latter is another great outback pub, which offers cold beer, meals, accommodation and a mini-zoo outside.

About 10km to the north of Larrimah, you can check out the Gorrie Airstrip, a key World War II air base.

But you’re better off continuing to Mataranka, where you can go swimming in the Mataranka Thermal Pool next to the Mataranka Homestead. You can also swim at Bitter Springs or go walking by the Roper River in Elsey National Park.

Mataranka accommodation options are not exactly stellar. Choose between the Mataranka Roadhouse and Territory Manor Motel and Caravan Park.

Next section: Katherine and Nitmiluk National Park.