Mount Isa to Tennant Creek: Distance, sights & road trip fuel stops
The Mount Isa to Tennant Creek drive covers a distance of 661km, with a driving time of 6h49m. Your only fuel stops are at Camooweal, Barkly Homestead and the Threeways Roadhouse.
The drive from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek is one that few people undertake for fun. In all likelihood, it’s part of a longer, epic drive – perhaps Brisbane to Darwin, or Cairns to Uluru.
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.
Don’t get caught without a bed. Book your Tennant Creek hotel in advance.
Outback mining city Mount Isa is in the far west of Queensland. Tennant Creek is the largest town in the mostly empty centre of the Northern Territory between Alice Springs and Katherine. The route between them is a long, lonely drive through the outback, almost entirely along the Barkly Highway.
Mount Isa to Tennant Creek distance and driving time
The distance from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek by car is 661km. That makes for a driving time of around six hours and 49 minutes.
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 to Tennant Creek fuel stop
It is important to manage your petrol tank carefully on the Mount Isa to Tennant Creek drive, as gaps between service stations are long. The only fuel stops between Mount Isa and Tennant Creek are at Camooweal, Barkly Homestead and the Three Ways Roadhouse.
Mount Isa to Tennant Creek road trip route
The only town on the route is Camooweal, which snuggles up on the Queensland side of the border. Things to do in Camooweal include learning all about cattle droving at the Drovers Camp, and venturing to the cave mouths in Wiliyan-ngurru National Park. Camooweal is also the gateway to Lawn Hill Gorge in the Boodjamulla National Park.
Mount Isa to Tennant Creek drive: Northern Territory section
The most important thing to do in Camooweal is stock up on fuel, because you won’t get another chance for 260km. Once into the Northern Territory, the Barkly Highway truly ploughs through the Big Nothing. The main stop before joining the Stuart Highway is Barkly Homestead. This roadhouse is best used as a snack, fuel and toilet stop, but you can stay the night if you really insist.
The Barkly Highway meets the Stuart Highway at the Threeways Roadhouse. This is 25km north of Tennant Creek, but if you’re heading north, there are more accommodation options in the town than there are at the roadhouse.
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.
- For (easily) the best quality: Safari Lodge.
- For roadtripper convenience: Outback Caravan Park.
- For a pool: Bluestone Motor Inn.
If you found this guide useful, please consider booking your accommodation and tours through the links to Wotif and Viator below.
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More Northern Territory travel
The best stops on a Cloncurry to Darwin road trip.
What to see on a Longreach to Uluru road trip.
How long is the drive from Cloncurry to Katherine?
Where to stop on the drive from Camooweal to Darwin.