Things to do in Cloncurry, Queensland

The best things to do in Cloncurry, Queensland, include the John Flynn Place Museum, Cloncurry Unearthed and the Chinaman Creek Dam.

Cloncurry, Queensland, is an outback town with outsized influence. 120km east of Mount Isa, and 400km south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cloncurry was the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1928. It was also the destination for the first ever Qantas flight.

Things to do in Cloncurry, Queensland: John Flynn Place Museum

The best things to do in Cloncurry, Queensland, include visiting John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery. This tells the story of the Reverend John Flynn, who founded the Flying Doctors, and the work that went on to making the airborne outback medical service a reality.

Other Cloncurry attractions include the Cloncurry Unearthed Visitor Information Centre and Museum. There are museum displays inside, going into the town’s history, mining operations and mineral wealth. There are big gem and mineral collections, plus displays on the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition.

Things to do in Cloncurry, Queensland: Burke and Wills Memorial

The tragic outback expedition didn’t pass through Cloncurry, as Cloncurry didn’t exist at the time. But there is a memorial about 43km west of Cloncurry, where Burke and Wills did pass, on the Barkly Highway.

If you’re looking for beauty spots in Cloncurry, the Chinaman Creek Dam is a solid spot for swimming and birdwatching. It’s surrounded by red rock outcrops.

Where is Cloncurry, Queensland?

Cloncurry Airport in Cloncurry, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland/Anne Hartung Photography.

Cloncurry is the sort of Queensland outback town you might pass through on a road trip. The Landsborough Highway ends here, meeting the Flinders Highway just west of Cloncurry.

The Burke Developmental Road stretches north towards the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Barkly Highway heads west towards the Northern Territory. It’s on the route of the Townsville to Darwin drive, and the Brisbane to Darwin drive. If you travel by sealed road from Cairns to Darwin, you’ll also pass through Cloncurry.

Driving times to Cloncurry, Queensland

Brisbane to Cloncurry: Distance 1,703km, driving time 18h30m.

Karumba to Cloncurry: Distance 452km, driving time 4h46m.

Julia Creek to Cloncurry: Distance 138km, driving time 1h31m.

Longreach to Cloncurry: Distance 527km, driving time 5h37m.

Mount Isa to Cloncurry: Distance 121km, driving time 1h23m.

Normanton to Cloncurry: Distance 382km, driving time 4h1m.

Townsville to Cloncurry: Distance 783km, driving time 8h20m.

Winton to Cloncurry: Distance 348km, driving time 3h45m.

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