Townsville to Cloncurry road trip: Distance, drive time and stops
The Townsville to Cloncurry drive covers a distance of 784km, with a driving time of 8h41m. The best road trip stops on the way are Charters Towers, Hughenden and Richmond.
The Townsville to Cloncurry drive takes you from the biggest city in northern Queensland to one of the state’s most appealing outback towns. It’s likely that most people driving this route will be doing so as part of a longer road trip from Townsville to Mount Isa or Townsville to Darwin.
Townsville is where you can take the ferry to gorgeous Magnetic Island, enjoy sunset cruises and visit the Museum of Underwater Art. For more Townsville experiences, explore here. To ferret out the best Townsville accommodation deals, look here.
6 Townsville experiences to book in advance
- Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
- SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
- Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
- Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
- Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
- Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.
Townsville to Cloncurry distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Townsville to Cloncurry is 784km. You can expect a driving time of around eight hours and 41 minutes. That’s just about doable in a day, but you’re better off making it into a road trip with an overnight stop or two. Charters Towers, Hughenden and Richmond are the best places to stop on the journey.
Townsville to Cloncurry road trip: Flinders Highway to Charters Towers
The first leg of the Townsville to Cloncurry road trip is from Townsville to Charters Towers. This heads out of Townsville along the Flinders Highway, passing the Fairfield Central Shopping Centre.
The first plausible stop is Woodstock, where you can go for a dip in the Majors Creek Swimming Hole.
Another feasible stop is the Burdekin Duck Roadhouse near the bridge over the Burdekin River. The Macrossan Park camping area by the bridge is a pretty fishing and kayaking spot. But otherwise, plough through to the more interesting Charters Towers.
Click through to the next section: Charters Towers and Hughenden.