The Matilda Way is a touring route, not a single road. It strings together sealed highways through south-west, central-west and north-west Queensland, linking many of the state's best-known outback towns. It's a good first outback road trip: the main route is sealed, the towns have fuel and accommodation, and there's a lot of history along the way.
The route at a glance
| Leg | About | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cunnamulla → Charleville | 199 km | Cunnamulla Fella statue, bore baths; Charleville's Cosmos Centre and bilbies |
| Charleville → Blackall | 302 km | Tambo; Blackall Woolscour and the Black Stump |
| Blackall → Barcaldine | — | Tree of Knowledge memorial, Australian Workers Heritage Centre |
| Barcaldine → Longreach | — | Stockman's Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum |
| Longreach → Winton | 179 km | Waltzing Matilda Centre, Australian Age of Dinosaurs |
| Winton → Cloncurry | 348 km | Kynuna, McKinlay, Combo Waterhole; Cloncurry's John Flynn Place |
| Cloncurry → Normanton | — | Burke & Wills Roadhouse; Normanton's Purple Pub and Gulflander |
| Normanton → Karumba | 70 km | Gulf sunsets, fishing, the Barramundi Discovery Centre |
Distances are from Drive Queensland and Outback Queensland material. Legs without a figure aren't listed in those sources, so check them with QLDTraffic or a map before you travel.
Town by town
Cunnamulla and Charleville
Cunnamulla, on the Warrego River, is the southern start of the route and home of the Cunnamulla Fella statue. Charleville is the largest town in the south-west. It's known for the Cosmos Centre, the Save the Bilby Fund's bilby experience, and its WWII and Royal Flying Doctor history. Both towns are close to the bore baths of the Great Artesian Spa tour.
Tambo and Blackall
Tambo is a small heritage town known for its teddy bear workshop. Blackall is home to the Blackall Woolscour, a steam-driven wool scour, and the Black Stump, the origin of a famous Australian expression.
Barcaldine
Barcaldine is linked with the 1891 shearers' strike and the birth of the Australian Labor Party. The Tree of Knowledge memorial and the Australian Workers Heritage Centre tell the story.
Longreach
Longreach is the region's hub, home to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum. See Longreach heritage.
Winton
Winton is where Waltzing Matilda was first performed and Qantas was founded. Today it's at the centre of Queensland's dinosaur country, with the Australian Age of Dinosaurs and the Waltzing Matilda Centre. See the dinosaur trail.
Kynuna, McKinlay and Cloncurry
North of Winton, the route passes the small settlements of Kynuna and McKinlay. Nearby, Combo Waterhole is linked with Banjo Paterson's ballad. Cloncurry is where the Royal Flying Doctor Service began. Its John Flynn Place museum tells that story. See Royal Flying Doctor Service.
To the Gulf: Normanton and Karumba
From Cloncurry the route heads north through savanna country to Normanton and Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. See our Gulf Country guide. McKinlay Shire Council promotes a fully sealed shortcut from Kynuna through Julia Creek to the Burke & Wills Roadhouse, which it calls the Barra Express.
How long to allow
- 7 days: possible if you only stop briefly. Expect long driving days.
- 10 days: the pace Outback Queensland suggests. That's one or two nights in the larger towns, such as Charleville, Longreach and Winton, and a night or two in Karumba.
- 2 weeks or more: add side trips to Carnarvon Gorge, Lark Quarry, Boodjamulla or the Gulflander.
When to go
April to September is the most comfortable season, and most tours and shows run then. Summer is very hot in the central west and wet in the Gulf, with flooding possible across the route. See best time to visit and outback weather by month.
Getting there from Brisbane
Most travellers drive west on the Warrego Highway via Roma to Charleville. Others come up from NSW via Bourke and Cunnamulla, or west from Rockhampton on the Capricorn Highway to Barcaldine. Queensland Rail's outback trains, the Westlander, Spirit of the Outback and Inlander, serve Charleville, Longreach and Mount Isa. Check the current timetables.
Practical tips
- Book accommodation ahead in winter and during school holidays.
- Watch for road trains and wildlife, especially kangaroos and cattle at dawn and dusk.
- Check QLDTraffic for flooding and roadworks.
- Many attractions have shorter hours in summer, so check before you go.
Highlights not to miss
The Matilda Way's appeal is the run of distinctive towns, each with a different story. Charleville is known for its Cosmos Centre and night skies. Barcaldine has the Tree of Knowledge memorial, linked to the 1891 shearers' strike and the origins of the Australian Labor Party. Longreach has the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum. Winton is home to the Waltzing Matilda Centre and dinosaur sites, and Cloncurry has links to the founding of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. At the northern end, Normanton and Karumba open onto the Gulf of Carpentaria. Our town guides cover each stop in detail, starting with Longreach and Winton.
Road conditions
The Matilda Way itself is sealed, but local side roads to attractions may be unsealed and can close after rain. Check QLDTraffic (13 19 40) and council road reports before detours. Road trains are common on these highways. Give them plenty of room and overtake only with a long, clear view ahead.
Weather
Western Queensland is hot in summer, and the Gulf end is tropical, with a wet season from about November to April. BOM records Normanton's January rainfall averaging 258.0 mm. The cooler months from about April to September are the main touring season. See outback weather by month and the Gulf Country guide.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Matilda Way?
Outback Queensland Tourism material lists the Matilda Way at about 1,812 km one way from Cunnamulla to Karumba. Some sources measure it from the NSW border at Barringun, which adds a little more.
How long does it take to drive the Matilda Way?
Outback Queensland suggests about 10 days. You can drive it faster, but the towns along the way have major museums and attractions that each deserve at least half a day. Two weeks allows a comfortable pace with side trips.
Is the Matilda Way sealed?
The main Matilda Way route follows sealed highways, including the Mitchell, Landsborough and Burke Developmental roads. Side trips can involve unsealed roads. Flooding can close even sealed roads, so check QLDTraffic before you travel.
What is the best time to drive the Matilda Way?
The cooler months, roughly April to September, are most comfortable, and that's when most events and tours run. The northern end near the Gulf is tropical and has a wet season, roughly November to April.
Can you do an outback Queensland road trip from Brisbane?
Yes. Most people drive west from Brisbane on the Warrego Highway to Roma and Charleville to join the Matilda Way, or take the Capricorn Highway west from Rockhampton to Barcaldine. Queensland Rail's outback trains are another option for part of the journey.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Find your perfect outback road trip — Outback Queensland Tourism Association
- Matilda Way — Drive Queensland
- Getting here — McKinlay Shire Council
- QLDTraffic — Queensland Government
