The ‘Matilda Highway’ is a tourist route; the name given for a connection of highways; in this case, from Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria to Barringun near the QLD/NSW border. The route passes through famous outback Queensland country towns - not to forget, some great outback pubs!! From north to south, you can stop in at towns like: Normanton, Cloncurry, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Tambo, Augathella, Charleville, and Cunnamulla, where you can then pick up the Kidman Way through central NSW. It's a region where dinosaurs once roamed; the inspiration for our unofficial national anthem ‘Waltzing Matilda’ was first played; and was the birthplace of Qantas. There are a number of highlights along this all-bitumen 1822km route making it one of the most popular highway treks in Australia.

There are tourist information centres in most towns along the route and each will be able to provide detailed information on bookings, and times for local events, shows and attractions. The journey passes through an ever-changing landscape - from gulf plains in the north; Mitchell grass plains and desert uplands in the central west; to undulating Mulga plains in the south. There are picturesque billabongs and vast inland river systems, rugged gorges, escarpments and many scenic National Parks to explore. The Matilda Highway is custom-made for travellers keen for a taste of the ‘outback’ with its unique heritage and good ol’ pubs, all served with some legendary hospitality and friendliness.

No permits are required for this trek note, since the route is on public roads and highways.

Historic Gulflander train, Stockman's Hall of Fame, Waltzing Matilda Centre, Carnarvon Gorge National Park,  Lark Quarry, Blue Heeler Hotel, Walkabout Creek Hotel, Burke & Wills Roadhouse, Lawn Hill National Park and lots more!

The Matilda Highway is over 1820kms long, and although there are many fuel outlets along this route for filling up your vehicle, ensure you carry enough fuel, water and supplies between stops. The trip can be completed in around 24 hours (obviously alternating between drivers), but then why would you!!! Doing so would mean missing out on the ‘real Outback’… that is, the heritage, the natural attractions, and the cheery outback characters. Four days is a comfortable drive, depending on how long you stay in each town.

It’s a good idea to carry sun protection, sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, and sufficient clothing for the time of the year. Staying in contact in the outback is vital, and while mobile phones will work in many towns, it may be beneficial to carry another communication device such as a HF radio, UHF radio, or even satellite phone.

Since there are a number of sections that may be subject to flooding, it is important to take heed of the road conditions. So before you depart, you may want to check with local shires or RACQ Road Conditions.

Be wary of certain sections along the way, which may be unfenced, and avoid travelling around sunset or at night, as kangaroos and cattle occasionally like to share your side of the road (sometimes both sides).

The climate from Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria, to one of the hottest places in Australia - Cloncurry, is distinctly monsoonal with a winter dry season and a summer wet season. This bioregion is known as the Gulf Plains, and primarily consists of open woodlands and grasslands; as well as coastal estuaries consisting of mangroves and saline herbfields, which do not occur elsewhere. The most extensive grasslands and open woodlands occur on clay plains and associated major rivers. The grasslands in the north are predominantly blue grasses (Dichanthium spp.) with Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) growing in the drier southern areas. The dominant land use is for cattle grazing on native pastures.

Mitchell grass dominates the region from McKinlay, to Winton, Longreach, Blackall and Tambo. The bioregion is dominated by Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) tussock grasslands on rolling plains with some low tree over-storey of gidgee and other species. Around Winton and Longreach the terrain is predominantly Mitchell grass plains punctuated by stony ranges and mesas known locally as jump-up country. During the summer months the temperatures may reach 45 to 50 degrees C. Travel in the region between October and March is not recommended due to high temperatures and possible flooding. Much of the region is dependent on the underlying Great Artesian Basin for water. Land within the bioregion is almost entirely dedicated to cattle grazing, due to the extensive occurrence of palatable grasses.

From Augathella to Charleville, Cunnamulla and Barringun, the terrain is predominantly Mulga country. These lands are located within the heart of the Murray-Darling Basin, and feature flat to undulating plains. The region is dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura) shrublands and low woodlands. The river systems and associated lakes, creeks, swamps and wetlands are significant to waterbirds including large populations of brolgas and freckled duck. The climate is semi-arid with variable and unreliable rainfall, and the pastoral properties in the region are primarily used for sheep and cattle grazing.

The Matilda Highway is a collection of highways merged as one tourist route, coined around the year 2000 as part of the Corridor Management Plan (CMP). The role of the CMP is to provide a basis for on-going development of tourist routes, with the intention of: increasing visitor numbers and expenditure along the way; to maximise driver confidence in regard to alternative route, road safety, and road efficiency; and lastly to raise heritage and cultural understanding. The highways that make up the Matilda Highway include: Mitchell Highway, Landsborough Highway, and the Burke Development Road.