Getting to Outback NSW - From North Queensland
Are you more bush than beach? Or just like taking routes for from the maddening crowd? Well a trip from north Queensland provides many options for you. A trip though outback Queensland to Outback NSW will be a tour to remember. As many say... there is no such thing as a destination as they are the elements that make up a journey.
Rockhampton-Lightning Ridge
Leichhardt Highway > Carnarvon Highway > Balonne Highway > Mitchell Highway: (Distance = 930km approx)
If you wish to travel from Rockhampton to Outback NSW, the inland drive will certainly take you on the 'road less travelled' through some iconic Queensland country. The trip will allow you to experience towns like Biloela, Miles, Roma, and St George. From St George the Castlereagh Highway will cross the border near Hebel via Lightning Ridge, home to the Black Opal and a little bit of Craziness! Nearby, on the route to either Walgett or Brewarrina, a great sidetrip is via the Grawin where you can experience places like the Club in the Scrub, Sheepyard Flat, and the Glengarry Hilton. |
Mackay - Walgett
Peak Downs Highway > Gregory Highway > Carnarvon Highway > Gwydir Highway: (Distance = 1,255km approx)
Leaving the coast at Mackay, the Peak Downs Highway travels southeast to Clermont and then the Gregory Highway crosses the Capricorn Highway at iconic Emerald. (If you are interested in see the world's largest Van Gough painting, be sure to visit Emerald). Roma and St George are reached via the Carnarvon Highway then join up with the Castlereagh Highway to Hebel and Lightning Ridge (Barry Way) and on to Walgett. |
Cairns - Bourke
Kennedy > Landsborough > Mitchell Highways: (Distance = 1,821km approx)
 This inland route is an adventure within itself taking in some great inland Queensland country including the Undara Volcanic National Park and some iconic towns like Winton (The Waltzing Matilda Centre), Longreach (The Stockman's Hall of Fame), Barcaldine, Charleville, Cunnamulla , across the NSW/QLD border to join The Kidman Way to Bourke. |
Rockhampton to Tibooburra
Burnett Highway > Leichhardt Highway > Carnarvon Highway > Silver City Highway: (Distance = 1,493km approx)
 Want to go around the Corner on your way to Outback NSW? This route from Rockhampton is via Cameron Corner and through the majestic Sturt National Park and onto Tibooburra.
This journey will take you southwest from 'Rocky' past Palmgrove and Expedition National Parks and onto St George. Travelling west from St George on the Balonne Highway towards Cunnamulla and onto the Adventure Way to Eulo, Thargomindah, Noccundra, and onto the Corner and a drive through Sturt National Park (west section) to Tibooburra. |
