Barkly Highway

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesCloncurry
FinishThree Ways Roadhouse
DifficultyDifficulty 1/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance761.22 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed99.89 km/hr
Travel Time7 hrs 37 mins
Page Updated: 22 Feb 2023

Description

The Barkly Highway, now also promoted as part of the Overlander's Way, is a sealed road connecting the states of Qld & NT. The road connects the Three Ways Roadhouse in the Northern Territory to the township of Cloncurry in Queensland. The Barkly Highway forms the main transport route between Queensland and the Northern Territory, and consequently it is heavily used by road trains and tourists.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

Between Cloncurry to Mount Isa, the Barkly Highway winds through the spectacular Swelwyn Ranges. Around Camooweal you'll see wide expanses of Mitchell grass plains and spinifex woodland. Closer to Tennant Creek, the Barkly Tablelands are an enormous expanse of cattle stations and scrubby grasslands. These habitats do not support a great variety of wildlife with just a brushtail possum, the antechinus, and dunnart being the few mammals known to exist in small isolated pockets.

There are many grasslands birds however, such as bronzewing, night parrots, and seasonal wetlands birds may occasionally be seen during periods of flooding. Snakes, reptiles and amphibians can adapt to the clay soils between the wet summer season to the dry winter season.

History

In 1861, William Landsborough explored the western regions of Queensland and named a wide section of scrubby grasslands to the north-east of Tennant Creek after Sir Henry Barkly, the then Governor of Victoria.

The route of today's Barkly Highway follows a stock route that was formerly used by drovers to herd their cattle through the Tablelands. It was put to use during wartime as a defence road and bitumen surfacing works commenced in 1943. The highway was named and registered in 1947.

An upgrade of the Queensland section of the highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal was completed in 2008.

TrekID: 225

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
The North West Outback Queensland Tourism Association recommend that travellers prepare alternative routes, especially during the Australian summer (Nov – Apr) when rain and storms can impede travel plans.

Be prepared to lose mobile phone coverage when travelling outside town boundaries. Most towns will have Telstra and Optus coverage for about a 20km radius around the town

Be patient of stock and wary of kangaroos and emus, especially if driving near sunrise or sunset.

Permits

No permit required.

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 107 litres4cyl 123 litres4cyl 152 litres
6cyl 117 litres6cyl 138 litres6cyl 134 litres
8cyl 117 litres8cyl 126 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Travelling throughout Northern Australia in the dry cooler months from April to October is very pleasant. Days are temperate and the nights cool. Summer is the wet season with higher temperatures and the chance of minor localised flooding.

Closest Climatic Station

Camooweal Township
Distance from Trek Mid Point 83.08km E
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C37.336.235.233.028.925.925.828.432.335.837.538.1
Mean Min. °C24.323.721.718.013.49.88.810.915.219.522.323.8
Mean Rain mm99.193.254.914.411.09.85.52.85.914.129.361.8
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Cloncurry to Burke & Wills Memorial Rest Area
Driving: 45.6 km
Heading: 259°
Avg Speed: 91.83 km/hr
EST Time: 29:47
  • Drive west on A2/McIlwraith Street. Continue on A2. for: 45.56 km time: 29:28
  • Turn left. for: 0.05 km time: 00:19
Burke & Wills Memorial Rest Area to Corrella Dam Entry
Driving: 8.87 km
Heading: 233°
Avg Speed: 94.92 km/hr
EST Time: 05:36
  • Drive west. for: 0.05 km time: 00:17
  • Turn left onto 83/A2/Barkly Highway. for: 8.82 km time: 05:20
Corrella Dam Entry to Fountain Springs Rest Area
Driving: 6.7 km
Heading: 298°
Avg Speed: 94.21 km/hr
EST Time: 04:16
  • Drive west on 83/A2/Barkly Highway. for: 6.63 km time: 03:59
  • Turn right. for: 0.07 km time: 00:17
Fountain Springs Rest Area to Rest Area
Driving: 9.38 km
Heading: 308°
Avg Speed: 91.14 km/hr
EST Time: 06:10
  • Drive northwest. for: 0.07 km time: 00:16
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Barkly Highway for: 9.27 km time: 05:44
  • Keep left at the fork. for: 0.04 km time: 00:11
Rest Area to Lake Julius Turnoff Rest Area
Driving: 31.95 km
Heading: 281°
Avg Speed: 93.42 km/hr
EST Time: 20:31
  • Drive northeast. for: 0.04 km time: 00:11
  • Make a sharp left onto 83/A2/Barkly Highway. for: 31.64 km time: 19:18
  • Keep left at the fork. for: 0.26 km time: 01:02
Lake Julius Turnoff Rest Area to Outback at Isa Complex
Driving: 18.64 km
Heading: 261°
Avg Speed: 84.13 km/hr
EST Time: 13:17
  • Drive west on 83/A2/Barkly Highway. for: 18.47 km time: 12:41
  • Turn left onto Mullan Street. for: 0.08 km time: 00:09
  • Turn right. for: 0.09 km time: 00:28
Outback at Isa Complex to Hilton
Driving: 19.09 km
Heading: 356°
Avg Speed: 70.93 km/hr
EST Time: 16:08
  • Drive northeast. for: 0.03 km time: 00:07
  • Turn left. for: 0.07 km time: 00:17
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Mullan Street for: 0.06 km time: 00:11
  • Turn left onto 83/A2/Marian Street. for: 0.29 km time: 00:21
  • Keep right to take 83/A2/Grace Street. for: 1.07 km time: 01:48
  • Keep right to stay on A2/Grace Street. for: 0.07 km time: 00:11
  • Bear right onto A2/Grace Street. Continue on A2. for: 17.5 km time: 13:14
Hilton to World War 11 Historical Site Rest Area
Driving: 35.76 km
Heading: 313°
Avg Speed: 99.69 km/hr
EST Time: 21:31
  • Drive north on A2/Barkly Highway. for: 35.67 km time: 20:51
  • Turn left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:08
  • Turn right. for: 0.08 km time: 00:33
World War 11 Historical Site Rest Area to David Hall Rest Area
Driving: 45.13 km
Heading: 298°
Avg Speed: 97.4 km/hr
EST Time: 27:48
  • Drive southeast on A2/Barkly Highway. for: 45.04 km time: 27:04
  • Turn right. for: 0.02 km time: 00:11
  • Turn right. for: 0.08 km time: 00:33
David Hall Rest Area to Inca Creek Rest Area
Driving: 20.68 km
Heading: 314°
Avg Speed: 102.86 km/hr
EST Time: 12:03
  • Drive south on Thorntonia-Yelvertoft Road. for: 0.11 km time: 00:08
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Barkly Highway for: 20.57 km time: 11:56
Inca Creek Rest Area to Camooweal
Driving: 70.99 km
Heading: 283°
Avg Speed: 103.01 km/hr
EST Time: 41:20
  • Drive west on A2/Barkly Highway. for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
  • Turn right onto Nowranie Street. for: 0.23 km time: 00:37
  • Turn right onto Frances Street. for: 0.13 km time: 00:23
  • Turn right onto Morrison Street. for: 0.22 km time: 00:35
  • Turn left onto A2/Barkly Highway. for: 70.28 km time: 39:34
  • Turn left onto Thorntonia-Yelvertoft Road. for: 0.11 km time: 00:12
Camooweal to NT / QLD Border Rest Area
Driving: 13.12 km
Heading: 273°
Avg Speed: 79.49 km/hr
EST Time: 09:54
  • Drive west on A2/Barkly Highway. for: 13.09 km time: 09:39
  • Turn left. for: 0.03 km time: 00:16
NT / QLD Border Rest Area to Avon Downs Rest Area
Driving: 56.21 km
Heading: 257°
Avg Speed: 114.6 km/hr
EST Time: 29:25
  • Drive east. for: 0.03 km time: 00:15
  • Turn left onto 66/Barkly Highway. for: 56.11 km time: 28:53
  • Turn left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:06
  • Turn right. for: 0.03 km time: 00:10
  • Bear left. for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
Avon Downs Rest Area to Barkly Hwy & Ranken Rd
Driving: 29.7 km
Heading: 274°
Avg Speed: 87 km/hr
EST Time: 20:28
  • Drive northeast. for: 0.04 km time: 00:06
  • Turn left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:06
  • Turn left onto 66/Barkly Highway. for: 29.63 km time: 20:17
Barkly Hwy & Ranken Rd to Soudan
Driving: 21.07 km
Heading: 255°
Avg Speed: 91.15 km/hr
EST Time: 13:52
  • Drive west on 66/Barkly Highway. for: 20.95 km time: 13:31
  • Turn right. for: 0.12 km time: 00:21
Soudan to Soudan Rest Area
Driving: 15.16 km
Heading: 261°
Avg Speed: 118.57 km/hr
EST Time: 07:40
  • Drive south. for: 0.12 km time: 00:15
  • Turn right onto 66/Barkly Highway. for: 14.84 km time: 06:56
  • Bear right. for: 0.2 km time: 00:29
Soudan Rest Area to Wunara Store Rest Area
Driving: 32.53 km
Heading: 291°
Avg Speed: 103.06 km/hr
EST Time: 18:56
  • Drive west. for: 0.18 km time: 00:27
  • Bear right onto 66/Barkly Highway. for: 32.26 km time: 18:00
  • Turn left. for: 0.08 km time: 00:30
Wunara Store Rest Area to Barkly Hwy & Murray Downs Rd
Driving: 82.08 km
Heading: 288°
Avg Speed: 128.33 km/hr
EST Time: 38:22
  • Drive west. for: 0.08 km time: 00:25
  • Turn left onto 66/Barkly Highway. for: 82 km time: 37:57
Barkly Hwy & Murray Downs Rd to Barkly Homestead
Driving: 10.89 km
Heading: 307°
Avg Speed: 109.61 km/hr
EST Time: 05:57
  • Drive northwest on 66/Barkly Highway. for: 10.75 km time: 05:19
  • Turn left. for: 0.09 km time: 00:16
  • Bear left. for: 0.05 km time: 00:23
Barkly Homestead to Frewena Rest Area
Driving: 55.15 km
Heading: 305°
Avg Speed: 121.61 km/hr
EST Time: 27:12
  • Drive northwest. for: 0.12 km time: 00:41
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Barkly Highway for: 54.91 km time: 25:51
  • Make a sharp right. for: 0.11 km time: 00:41
Frewena Rest Area to 41 Mile Rest Area
Driving: 61.57 km
Heading: 282°
Avg Speed: 114.53 km/hr
EST Time: 32:15
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.11 km time: 00:33
  • Bear right onto 66/Barkly Highway. for: 61.4 km time: 31:22
  • Turn left. for: 0.06 km time: 00:21
41 Mile Rest Area to Three Ways Roadhouse
Driving: 70.95 km
Heading: 259°
Avg Speed: 106.2 km/hr
EST Time: 40:05
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.2 km time: 01:11
  • Bear left onto A87/Stuart Highway. for: 0.28 km time: 00:17
  • Turn left onto 66/Barkly Highway. for: 70.41 km time: 38:14
  • Turn right. for: 0.06 km time: 00:23
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

The route consists of numerous free roadside rest areas suitable for caravanners however it is difficult to escape the road noise.

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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