Matilda Way

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesKarumba
FinishCunnamulla
DifficultyDifficulty 0.5/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance1700.3 km
Minimum Days4
Average Speed81.86 km/hr
Travel Time20 hrs 46 mins
Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

The ‘Matilda Way’ is a tourist route; the name given for a connection of roads; in this case, from Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria to Cunnamulla 119km from 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 caravan 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 Way 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.

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

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 and Cunnamulla, 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.

History

The Matilda Way is a collection of main roads merged as one tourist route. The roads that make up the Matilda Way include: Mitchell Highway, Landsborough Highway, and the Burke Development Road.

Waltzing Matilda

The Matilda Way was named after the bush ballad Waltzing Matilda written by Banjo Patterson in 1895, with the music written by Christina Macpherson. Waltzing Matilda is Australia’s most widely known tune, often referred as ‘the unofficial national anthem of Australia’. The song’s title is Australian slang for travelling by foot with goods in a ‘Matilda’ bag. The Blue Heeler Hotel in Kynuna is the only remaining building to have any association with the folk song. It is said that the both the swagman and the squatter had their last drinks at the hotel.

The song is about a swagman (itinerant worker) making a drink of tea at a bush camp near a billabong (waterhole on the bend of a river), who ends up capturing a jumbuck to eat. A jumbuck is usually a large un-tamed and difficult-to-sheer wild sheep. When the jumbuck’s ‘apparent’ owner arrives with three police officers to arrest the worker for the alleged theft (a crime punishable by hanging), the swagman drowns himself in the billabong and goes on to haunt the site. Interestingly enough about the story (and of the political issues of the times), the jumbuck was never ‘owned’ by the squatter or regularly shorn, and thus, was not able to be ‘stolen’ by the swagman.

TrekID: 20

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 Matilda Way 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).

Permits

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

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 239 litres4cyl 275 litres4cyl 340 litres
6cyl 261 litres6cyl 308 litres6cyl 299 litres
8cyl 261 litres8cyl 230 litres *
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Since it can get very hot during the summer months, travelling in winter and spring is recommended.

Closest Climatic Station

Winton Post Office
Distance from Trek Mid Point 46.97km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C37.536.235.032.127.824.624.426.931.034.737.038.2
Mean Min. °C23.522.921.017.212.99.48.29.513.417.820.922.8
Mean Rain mm83.287.053.822.320.218.214.76.59.018.131.849.9
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Karumba to Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd
Driving: 4.67 km
Heading: 33°
Avg Speed: 54.16 km/hr
EST Time: 05:10
  • Drive northeast on Clarina Street. for: 0.05 km time: 00:16
  • Turn right to stay on Clarina Street. for: 0.48 km time: 00:51
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Walker Street for: 0.47 km time: 00:43
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Lloyd Clarke Way for: 3.61 km time: 03:15
  • Turn left onto Col Kitching Drive. for: 0.06 km time: 00:06
Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd to Brannigan Creek, Karumba Dev Rd
Driving: 27.62 km
Heading: 90°
Avg Speed: 59.9 km/hr
EST Time: 27:39
  • Drive southeast on Col Kitching Drive. for: 0.06 km time: 00:04
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Lloyd Clarke Way for: 27.56 km time: 27:36
Brannigan Creek, Karumba Dev Rd to Maggieville
Driving: 7.03 km
Heading: 85°
Avg Speed: 60 km/hr
EST Time: 07:01
  • Drive southeast on Karumba Road. for: 7.03 km time: 07:02
Maggieville to Norman River, Burke Dev Road
Driving: 30.36 km
Heading: 200°
Avg Speed: 89.22 km/hr
EST Time: 20:25
  • Drive east on Karumba Road. for: 1.82 km time: 01:49
  • Bear right onto Burke Developmental Road. for: 28.54 km time: 18:36
Norman River, Burke Dev Road to Normanton
Driving: 1.63 km
Heading: 239°
Avg Speed: 36.41 km/hr
EST Time: 02:41
  • Drive southwest on Burke Developmental Road. for: 1.45 km time: 01:59
  • Turn left onto Brodie Street. for: 0.09 km time: 00:16
  • Make a right U-turn at Brodie Street to stay on Brodie Street. for: 0.09 km time: 00:26
Normanton to Two Mile Swamp
Driving: 19.21 km
Heading: 203°
Avg Speed: 83.54 km/hr
EST Time: 13:47
  • Drive northwest on Brodie Street. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
  • Turn left onto Landsborough Street/83. Continue on 83. for: 19.2 km time: 13:46
Two Mile Swamp to Walkers Bend
Driving: 42.68 km
Heading: 203°
Avg Speed: 99.87 km/hr
EST Time: 25:38
  • Drive southwest on Burke Developmental Road/83. for: 42.68 km time: 25:38
Walkers Bend to Bang Bang Jump Up
Driving: 48.84 km
Heading: 209°
Avg Speed: 94.21 km/hr
EST Time: 31:06
  • Drive southwest on Burke Developmental Road/83. for: 48.84 km time: 31:06
Bang Bang Jump Up to Burke & Wills Junction Four Ways
Driving: 89.13 km
Heading: 202°
Avg Speed: 96.75 km/hr
EST Time: 55:16
  • Drive west on Burke Developmental Road/83. for: 89.13 km time: 55:16
Burke & Wills Junction Four Ways to Terry Smith Lookout
Driving: 101.88 km
Heading: 187°
Avg Speed: 84.54 km/hr
EST Time: 01:12:18
  • Drive southwest on Burke Developmental Road/83/84. Continue on Burke Developmental Road/83. for: 101.88 km time: 01:12:19
Terry Smith Lookout to Quamby Campground
Driving: 34.53 km
Heading: 170°
Avg Speed: 97 km/hr
EST Time: 21:21
  • Drive south on Burke Developmental Road/83. for: 34.53 km time: 21:21
Quamby Campground to Cloncurry
Driving: 47.07 km
Heading: 147°
Avg Speed: 84.56 km/hr
EST Time: 33:23
  • Drive southeast on Burke Developmental Road/83. for: 44.2 km time: 30:08
  • Turn left toward A2. for: 2.87 km time: 03:16
Cloncurry to McKinlay
Driving: 106.62 km
Heading: 128°
Avg Speed: 97.93 km/hr
EST Time: 01:05:19
  • Drive east on A2/McIlwraith Street. Continue on A2. for: 12.98 km time: 09:15
  • Turn right onto A2/Landsborough Highway. Continue on A2. for: 93.64 km time: 56:05
McKinlay to Kynuna Roadhouse & Caravan Pk
Driving: 75.9 km
Heading: 118°
Avg Speed: 97.25 km/hr
EST Time: 46:49
  • Drive southeast on A2/Kirby Street. Continue on A2. for: 75.9 km time: 46:50
Kynuna Roadhouse & Caravan Pk to Winton Jundah Rd & Landsborough Hwy
Driving: 164.79 km
Heading: 128°
Avg Speed: 99.61 km/hr
EST Time: 01:39:15
  • Drive southeast on A2/Landsborough Highway. Continue on A2. for: 164.7 km time: 01:39:00
  • Turn left onto Manuka Street/62. for: 0.09 km time: 00:16
Winton Jundah Rd & Landsborough Hwy to Winton
Driving: 1.03 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 35.61 km/hr
EST Time: 01:44
  • Drive north on Manuka Street/62. for: 0.03 km time: 00:05
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Manuka Street for: 0.99 km time: 01:39
Winton to Landsborough Hwy & Thomas Dev Rd
Driving: 177.12 km
Heading: 134°
Avg Speed: 100.42 km/hr
EST Time: 01:45:49
  • Drive north on Manuka Street/62. for: 0.19 km time: 00:16
  • Turn right onto Chirnside Street. for: 176.7 km time: 01:45:09
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Spoonbill Street for: 0.23 km time: 00:24
Landsborough Hwy & Thomas Dev Rd to Longreach
Driving: 1.44 km
Heading: 125°
Avg Speed: 33.23 km/hr
EST Time: 02:36
  • Drive south on Spoonbill Street/79. for: 0.08 km time: 00:09
  • Turn left onto Swan Street. for: 0.17 km time: 00:17
  • Turn left onto Wren Street. for: 0.22 km time: 00:21
  • Turn right onto A2/Landsborough Highway. for: 0.65 km time: 00:55
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit, onto Eagle Street for: 0.21 km time: 00:30
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Eagle Street for: 0.12 km time: 00:25
Longreach to Qantas Outback Museum
Driving: 2.81 km
Heading: 84°
Avg Speed: 34.75 km/hr
EST Time: 04:51
  • Drive southwest on Eagle Street. for: 0.12 km time: 00:25
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit, onto Eagle Street for: 0.27 km time: 00:55
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Eagle Street for: 0.09 km time: 00:16
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit, ontofor: 2.15 km time: 02:29
  • Turn left onto Sir James Walker Drive. for: 0.16 km time: 00:41
  • Turn left to stay on Sir James Walker Drive. for: 0.03 km time: 00:06
Qantas Outback Museum to Ilfracombe
Driving: 25.26 km
Heading: 103°
Avg Speed: 89.58 km/hr
EST Time: 16:55
  • Drive south on Sir James Walker Drive. for: 0.03 km time: 00:06
  • Turn right to stay on Sir James Walker Drive. for: 0.16 km time: 00:42
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Landsborough Highway for: 24.86 km time: 15:38
  • Turn right onto Devon Street. for: 0.13 km time: 00:19
  • Turn left onto Flinders Street. for: 0.09 km time: 00:11
Ilfracombe to Barcaldine
Driving: 80.28 km
Heading: 95°
Avg Speed: 99.77 km/hr
EST Time: 48:16
  • Drive east on Flinders Street. for: 0.14 km time: 00:14
  • Turn left onto Wellshot Street. for: 0.13 km time: 00:11
  • Turn right onto A2/Main Avenue. Continue on A2. for: 79.72 km time: 46:36
  • Turn right onto A2/Box Street. for: 0.14 km time: 00:24
  • Turn left onto Ash Street. for: 0.15 km time: 00:50
Barcaldine to Blackall
Driving: 106.7 km
Heading: 169°
Avg Speed: 99.24 km/hr
EST Time: 01:04:30
  • Drive west on Ash Street. for: 0.15 km time: 00:48
  • Turn left onto A2/Box Street. Continue on A2. for: 106.55 km time: 01:03:43
Blackall to Tambo
Driving: 101.9 km
Heading: 123°
Avg Speed: 99.35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:01:32
  • Drive east on A2/Shamrock Street. Continue on A2. for: 101.9 km time: 01:01:32
Tambo to Landsborough Hwy & Mount Playfield Rd
Driving: 8.58 km
Heading: 102°
Avg Speed: 81.29 km/hr
EST Time: 06:19
  • Drive east on A2/Arthur Street. Continue on A2. for: 8.58 km time: 06:20
Landsborough Hwy & Mount Playfield Rd to Augathella
Driving: 109.23 km
Heading: 166°
Avg Speed: 98.44 km/hr
EST Time: 01:06:34
  • Drive southeast on A2/Landsborough Highway. for: 108.16 km time: 01:05:04
  • Turn right onto Main Street. for: 0.64 km time: 00:51
  • Turn left onto Forest Street. for: 0.14 km time: 00:12
  • Turn right onto Cavanagh Street. for: 0.3 km time: 00:27
Augathella to Charleville
Driving: 84.69 km
Heading: 207°
Avg Speed: 102.4 km/hr
EST Time: 49:37
  • Drive east on Cavanagh Street. for: 0.05 km time: 00:04
  • Turn right onto Bendee Street. for: 2.33 km time: 01:47
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Landsborough Highway for: 3.35 km time: 02:08
  • Turn right onto Alt A2/Mitchell Highway. Continue on Alt A2. for: 78.61 km time: 44:48
  • Turn left onto Alt A2/Warrego Highway. for: 0.23 km time: 00:29
  • Turn left onto Wills Street. for: 0.11 km time: 00:21
Charleville to Cunnamulla
Driving: 199.3 km
Heading: 197°
Avg Speed: 101.26 km/hr
EST Time: 01:58:05
  • Drive northwest on Wills Street. for: 0.02 km time: 00:03
  • Turn left onto Parry Street. for: 0.23 km time: 00:25
  • Turn left onto Alt A2/Sturt Street. for: 197.45 km time: 01:55:11
  • Turn right onto Emma Street/49. Continue on Emma Street. for: 1.52 km time: 02:07
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 5th exit, ontofor: 0.09 km time: 00:18
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

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

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