Winton to Mount Isa road trip: Best stops, distance and drive time

The Winton to Mount Isa drive is 468km long, with a driving time of 5h9m on sealed roads The best road trip stops along the way are the Walkabout Creek Hotel in McKinlay and the John Flynn Place Museum in Cloncurry.

The drive from Winton to Mount Isa connects two iconic Queensland outback towns. If you’re driving from Brisbane to Darwin, it’s a key leg of the journey.

It’s not the most exciting Australian road trip, but there are a few stops along the way worth checking out.

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.

Winton to Mount Isa distance and driving time

Along sealed roads, the distance of the Winton to Mount Isa drive is 468km. This makes for a driving time of around five hours and nine minutes.

4 Winton experiences that will make your visit better

Day tour to Carisbrooke Station and the ancient dino footprints of the Dinosaur Stampede.
Sunset tour to the outback rock channels of Rangelands Station.
3/4 day tour to the Dinosaur Stampede and Merton Gorge.
Half day tour to the Age of Dinosaurs Museum – or make your own way and visit the fossil preparation laboratory.

The Winton to Cloncurry section of this drive up the Landsborough Highway is the longest leg. There isn’t an awful lot to see either. Kynuna on the Diamantia River offers beers at the Blue Heeler Hotel and birdwatching at the Combo Water Hole.

The next realistic stop is McKinlay, which got international exposure in Crocodile Dundee. The Walkabout Creek Hotel is the obligatory tourist trap here.

Winton to Mount Isa drive: Cloncurry attractions

Cloncurry, however, is the best place to stop on the Winton to Mount Isa drive. Things to do in Cloncurry include the John Flynn Place Museum, which is all about the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Cloncurry Unearthed, which delves into nearby fossil finds, is also worth a look.

The Cloncurry to Mount Isa drive along the Barkly Highway is shorter, but arguably offers more worthwhile road trip stops.

Burke and Wills Memorial and Mary Kathleen on Mount Isa road trip

First up is the memorial to the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, which passed through these parts in 1861.

Then comes pretty swimming hole Corella Dam and the abandoned, eerie Mary Kathleen township. Those with a 4WD vehicle can detour to seven-tiered Rigby Falls. Then, on your way into Mount Isa, you can take the 4.2km walking track to the top of Telstra Hill for superb views of the town.

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 accommodation picks with a swimming pool include the Argylla holiday park, the highly-rated Burke and Wills Motel and the great value Copper Gate Motel.

Mount Isa activity options include an informative best-of Mount Isa tour, outback scenic flights, a sunset drinks tour to Lake Moondarra and a fascinating visit to the abandoned Mary Kathleen uranium mine.

See also