InTownsville and Magnetic Island Guide March - August 2020

MATILDA HIGHWAY
COOKTOWN
GULF OF CARPENTARIA
Savannah Way
A2
MOUNT ISA
83
CLONCURRY
1
BURKE AND WILLS
JUNCTION
QUAMBY
KURUMBA
NORMANTON
A2
MCKINLAY
JULIA CREEK
KYNUNA
QUEENSLAND
1
A6
Matilda Highway
WINTON
Great Tropical Drive
HUGHENDEN
ATHERTON
62
ILFRACOMBE
LONGREACH
BARCALDINE
CAIRNS
Overlander’s Way
BLACKALL
INNISFAIL
INGHAM
TAMBO
TOWNSVILLE
CHARTERS TOWERS
GREAT BARRIER
REEF MARINE PARK
CLERMONT
BOWEN
A1
EMERALD
MACKAY
ROCKHAMPTON
Stretching more
than 1700 kilometres
from Cunamulla to
Karumba on the Gulf
of Carpentaria, the
Matilda Highway is
custom-made for
travellers keen for a
taste of the outback,
its unique heritage,
legendary hospitality
and friendliness.
GLADSTONE
BUNDABERG
CHARLEVILLE
AUGATHELLA
ROMA
CHINCHILLA
A1
GYMPIE
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
CUNNAMULLA
ST GEORGE
TOOWOOMBA
BRISBANE
TWEED HEADS
The Matilda passes through an ever-changing landscape - from undulating Mulga plains in the south
to open Mitchell grass plains and desert uplands in the central west and gulf plains in the north. There
are picturesque billabongs and vast inland river systems, rugged gorges and escarpments and many
scenic national parks. The towns along the highway offer varied experiences for visitors, each with their
own story and history as varied as the colourful Outback characters you’ll encounter along the way.
You’ll also find authentic heritage attractions along the way.
GOONDIWINDI
CLONCURRY
In Cloncurry, home of the Royal Flying Doctor (RFDS)
at John Flynn Place, the Portrait of Cloncurry, a visitor
orientation exhibition, will present an understanding
of the history, heritage and local characters of this
town that prides itself as the ‘Friendly Heart of the
Great North West’.
WINTON
In nearby Winton, the Waltzing Matilda Centre plays
host to the ghost of Banjo Paterson and the legend
surrounding the creation of a national song. South of
Kynuna, explore the Combo Waterhole Conservation
Park, believed to have inspired Banjo Paterson to
write Waltzing Matilda. A 40 minute return walk from
the car park leads to picturesque waterholes on the
Diamantina River, perfect for a picnic. Also well worth
the one hour detour is a visit to the Lark Quarry
Dinosaur Trackways, believed to be the world’s only
preserved dinosaur stampede.
LONGREACH
The Qantas Founders’ Outback Museum traces the
history of our national airline and its very important
links to the Outback and its towns. The new building,
which links to the original heritage-listed 1922 Qantas
Hangar, houses the museum, theatrette and exhibition
hall, a visitor information centre and restaurant. The
displays eloquently tell the inspirational stories of
an Australian business success and the people that
made it happen.
For more information go to:
www.queensland.com/Explore-Queensland/
Outback-Queensland or see the nearest
Information Centre.
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