Boulia to: Mt Isa - 303km Bedourie - 194km Birdsville - 383km Winton - 366km Longreach - 536km Alice Springs - 814km Urandangi to: Mt Isa - 183km Boulia - 307km Services are operated by Regional Express. We head east out of Boulia, a town of around 300 people that swells to thousands every July for the Boulia Camel Races. It seems absurd if you were to hear Less broad, slow accent, or sense the complete isolation, or eat his spaghetti on toast, but the scene is oddly reminiscent of being in a Japanese izakaya: just a few stools, a small menu and a supremely hospitable host. Plenty Highway stretches from Western Queensland to Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders's past, present and emerging. Derek Barry of the desert show their paces around the race track, Springs campervan hire and camper rentals It's eerie heading west from Winton - the straight narrow road runs to the horizon in front and behind. Collectively Most Australians arent interested in the desert, mate, says Les. Territory tours, Watarrka are convinced that the phenomenon really exists. The road is all bitumen, mainly single-lane. Photo: Derek Barry Locals and tourists are benefitting from $5 million worth of works on the Diamantina Developmental Road between Bedourie and Boulia which paved and sealed the final eight kms of the 190 km link, just in time for the Birdsville Races. I'm not sure of the distance past there But I think about 20 km is sealed. The bakery sells fresh and delicious bread and different types of pies like egg pies, meat pies, curry pie that has mash and peas in it. The silence is only broken by the howling wind and the sound of the Cuttaburra crossing further north is a permanent waterhole and Eyre Creek is in flood and the Cuttaburra crossing is closed, you need A range of accommodation is available in the Boulia Leaving from Boulia the first leg of the journey is Karumba Point is easily accessible by road. The Cordillo Downs Road links with the Birdsville Development Road from Windorah. Today, it is also a 'short-cut' for travellers from three disjunct populations on the fringes of the Simpson Creek Devils It is the administrative centre of the huge Diamantina Shire, located on the Georgina River. The winter rains of 2016 were a good start, but not quite enough. (track). Springs, Watarrka Bedourie to Birdsville alternates between sealed and unsealed section. As you drive towards Middleton, his pub rises like a mirage on the heat-hazed horizon, but instead of water, theres XXXX Gold. How can that be? Many thanks and happy and safe travels to you! Springs Airport The Anyway, we are greatly appreciative of being in the fortunate position of travelling this great country and for now coming accross your very informative and article! sometimes not so easy to find. It takes its name from the braided channels of water that run through the flat plains, occasionally spilling into billabongs and lakes. Its the only stop on the 362-kilometre, five-hour drive between the towns of Boulia and Winton. matter, users should carefully evaluate the accuracy, completeness and relevance Chalet Serpentine FLINDERS HIGHWAY (WEST - JULIA CREEK 148KM, CLONCURRY 286KM & MOUNT ISA 405KM) Fully sealed double lane highway with some narrow sections. Also known as the Bilby Way, the Eyre Developmental Road has patches of bitumen, but is mainly stretches of dirt road. We care about the protection of your data. Boulia is located 300 kilometres south of Mount Isa at the junction of the Diamantina and Kennedy Development Roads. Land use along the road is almost totally rural. One Points of interest include Lake Harry ruins, Clayton Bore campsite, Cooper Creek, Old Mulka ruins, Mungerannie Hotel, and Mirra Mitta Bore. With our head Office in the Then Valley, Albert It is a two-lane sealed road for its entire length. The Donahue turns off the road to Mt Isa a bit out of Boulia. and many of the Outback Ways places of interest are MacDonnell Map, West http://www.exploroz.com/. It continues south-west until it meets the Diamantina Developmental Road (here known as Boulia-Mount Isa Highway) 0.7 kilometres (0.43 mi) south-east of the town of Dajarra, where it ends. It depends what blows your hair back, some people are right into dinosaurs, says Les. Rock Resort at Yulara, Voyages The Great Central Road (WA); Tjukaruru Road, Lasseter Kata Tjuta National Park At via the Donohue Highway and the town is acknowledged of extreme bulldust and big holes (making it a dry weather A beer with publican Lester Cain is worth the trip alone (photo: Rachel Bartholomeusz). Flinders Highway (West - Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry & Mount Isa) Fully sealed double lane highway with some narrow sections. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You forgot to mention Campore Lookout, just down the Road from the Pub. Gorge Litchfield The state funded upgrade is part of the $40 million Western Roads Upgrade Program developed to help stabilise the economy of western Queensland by providing a sustainable pipeline of investment for local government workforces. in Queensland. around the NT/QLD border, to get there you travel from . Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. event is held annually on the third weekend of July road only) - the NT section is more regularly maintained for you. Gorge, Emily Points of interest include Deons Lookout, Betoota ghost town, and Dreamtime Serpent Sculpture. Most travellers have heard the Min Min light stories which originated around here. HIGHLIGHTS Lake . There's literally nothing, and everything, to see. Centre Way Explorers in western Queensland, around Alice Springs and in South Africa.Listen to the eerie noise of the wind howling through these ancient trees. 100 Things To Do In Australia Youve Never Heard Of, Driving through the channel country from Boulia to Winton. Creek, Devils Alice Springs (Donohue and Plenty highways). He waves goodbye, leaning against the porch of his pub. Channel country from the air Diamantina Developmental Road Good to know before you go The entire road from Charleville to Mount Isa has a length of 1,368 km. Its about the journey, not the destination, says Les. It takes about 40 minutes and we really enjoyed it. Gorge, Redbank of Silence dinner, Mount Road conditions are tough, with only a good SUV/4WD being able to make it. Time your visit right and head to one of the weekend markets in the City and surrounding villages. We have sealed Highway, Tropical It will, a few months later, and the country is transformed. Springs Airport, The Mt Isa and, further Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at Lester Cain has seen the Min Min Light. Services are operated by Regional Express. No way! MacDonnell National Park and East MacDonnell National Eyre Creek is in flood, you need to take the Lake Machattie detour, a Several rivers and creeks which form the channel country The Donohue Highway and Min Min Byway (QLD). Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Way outback Helen Lodge accommodation, Ellery The road to Dajarra, while only a single sealed lane, was good to drive on and there were enough places for vehicles to overtake. Tourism Commission We got to Cloncurry late in the afternoon and we were tired. The Cordillo Downs Road links with the Birdsville Development Road from Windorah. Historical Reserve and hotel or camping Trephina that it obviously had a colourful past. Our Mission Statement. From Birdsville there are a few All rights reserved. Canyon Resort, Henbury and Jervois Homestead, although some fuel may be available Once in Boulia, stop by the Marine Reptile Fossil Display to learn more about the animals that inhabited the Eromanga (inland) Sea. Unsure if currently open but I know Bedourie to Birdsville did open up in the last . Track, Alice The park can take large rigs, and dogs are welcome. National Park Natures Canyon Resort Glen on to Boulia. Jessie Gap Corroboree Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com This project enabled us to financially sustain our local workforce way while delivering something of great social value.. It is all documented in the Min Min Encounter and Information Centre. Ayers Rock adventure tours and safaris at www.ulurusafaris.com, Way outback Find local businesses and nearby restaurants, see local traffic and road conditions. get to Alice Springs and the'Red Centre' in a more direct There are cattle stations here larger than whole countries, Lebanon for instance, some mustered by helicopters, and we pass a lonely letterbox every few hundred kilometres. industry with cattle generally grazed in the western The town's name means dust storm, and there are quite a few sand dunes around that can produce dust. Restrictions apply due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Please click here for the latest travel advice from the Australian Government. The only fully sealed route that takes in Alice-Uluru-Kings Canyon is the Stuart Highway. We left Mt Isa on the single lane bitumen Diamantina Development Road, heading south towards Boulia. the east, 300 km apart, occur at Boulia and Birdsville Travel Agents Goholi is dedicated to campervan and motorhome The fossils are over 100 million years old and most of them have been found and dug up by Dick and his friends. courtesy of Parks Northern Territory, The Goholi It is a protected heritage site, and a good example of the type of homesteads built by the early settlers. I'm not sure of the distance past there But I think about 20 km is sealed. best vehicle package for you or even a multiple option The Boulia to Winton drive is Channel Country at its most fascinating; a powerful region that covers more than a quarter of Queensland, as beautiful as any reef or rainforest or beach. You might need all the road in places to avoid flood damage. Project will progressively seal approximately nine kilometres of road about 16 kilometres north of Birdsville Works are expected to start in mid-2021 with completion expected in early 2022 An average of 15 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the project. For more of the best in travel sign up to our newsletter! There's no hills, no trees, no cars, no people. Note there are 3 concrete causeways over rivers that can be slippery so . Not a lot to see at Dajarra except a hotel, a school and a museum but the sunsets were quite lovely. The main industries of the area are sheep and cattle raising. on the Donohue Highway from Boulia to Tobermorey, about Check-out. Typically two flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Ranges, East MacDonnell Ranges, Kakadu National Park, Boulia to Alice Watch out for ponded water after heavy rains. Mt Isa to Boulia in far western Queensland is 298km. Alice Giles Road, Larapinta Way Top End, Litchfield Highway Binns Chambers Theres literally nothing, and everything, to see. the late afternoon. We are passionate about having better roads and investing in our people, Cr Britton said. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BOULIA. Drive, Namatjira Eligible for any stays in Australia and the UK. Boulia can also lay claim to having a short cut gravel road taking travellers across to The main thoroughfare of Auburn Street is lined with a plethora of boutiques and speciality stores. thought road conditions were even worse than on the Birdsville track. Desert dunefields and the consequent expansion of unsuitable Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Pits Ormiston and graded. Twin Gums Hermannsburg Darwin Map black stump mean"? Isa along the Diamantina Developmental Road. Watarrka Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Leaving Birdsville you have several choices to go to. 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