Tambo to Longreach road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The best stops to add to a Tambo to Longreach road trip itinerary are Blackall and Barcaldine. By car, the distance from Tambo to Longreach is 315km, with a driving time of around 3h23m.
Planning a Tambo to Longreach road trip itinerary
A Tambo to Longreach road trip takes you to arguably the most appealing town in outback Queensland. For most travellers, this will be a leg on a longer road trip. The quickest driving route from Sydney to Darwin passes along this stretch of the Landsborough Highway. It can also be the last leg on the Brisbane to Longreach drive.
The best Longreach attractions include the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre. You can also try a Longreach river cruise along the Thomson River. To investigate the top Longreach tour and activity options, head this way. To pick the right Longreach accommodation, nosey around here.
4 Longreach experiences to book before you arrive
- Starlights river cruise – take in sunset along the Thomson River aboard a paddlewheeler.
- Cobb & Co stagecoach experience – travel along an outback dirt road pulled by galloping horses.
- Wildlife and woolsheds tour on a double decker bus through Nogo Station.
- Dinosaur-packed day tour to Winton.
There’s plenty to see along the way, though. This expert-researched guide should help you plan your perfect Tambo to Longreach road trip itinerary.
Tambo to Longreach distance and driving time
Using the quickest route by car, the distance from Tambo to Longreach is 315km. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 23 minutes.
The best road trip stops to add to a Tambo to Longreach road trip itinerary include Blackall and Barcaldine.
Tambo offers a bird-watching hide at Tambo Lake. The top attraction in Tambo, however, is Tambo Teddies.
This teddy bear manufacturer started as a way of using excess wool from the local wool industry. It has built up a niche for high quality, woollen cuddly toys.
Tambo to Longreach drive: Tambo to Barcaldine
The first stop on the Tambo to Longreach drive is Blackall. Attractions here include the Blackall Wool Scour, which acts as a living museum to the wool industry. There are also sculptures and art installations all around a town that bills itself as the Art Capital of the Outback.
The star attraction, however, is the Blackall Aquatic Centre, where the outdoor heated pool is fed by an artesian bore.
The Landsborough Highway swings west at Barcaldine. The top attractions in Barcaldine are the Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre and the Tree of Knowledge, generally accepted as the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party.
Barcaldine accommodation options include the solid Barcaldine Country Motor Inn.
Tambo to Longreach road trip: Barcaldine to Longreach
The final 108km stretch of the Tambo to Longreach drive is from Barcaldine to Longreach. This follows the Spirit of the Outback train line. The Ilfracombe Machinery and Heritage Museum is the biggest attraction on the route. Which is to say you’re probably best whizzing straight on through to Longreach.
Longreach is arguably the best stop in outback Queensland, however. Here, the Qantas Founders Museum looks at the story of Australia’s oldest airline, while the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre has great evening shows. And a Thomson River cruise is a lovely way to enjoy the sunset.
Longreach accommodation picks
Longreach offers a surprisingly interesting range of accommodation. The options particularly worthy of consideration are…
- For central location and a pool: Abajaz Motor Inn or Longreach Motor Inn.
- For luxury glamping: Mitchell Grass Retreat.
- For charm and character: Saltbush Retreat.
More Queensland travel
The best stops on the drive from Sarina to Airlie Beach.
What to see on the St George to Longreach drive.
How long is the drive from Augathella to Longreach?
What to see on a Mission Beach to Port Douglas road trip.
Where to stop on the drive from Clermont to Cairns.