Overlander's Way
For more than 100 years pioneers have been discovering the Overlander's Way. Today, travellers can follow in their footsteps on a 1550 kilometre driving adventure across the breadth of Queensland and into the Northern Territory linking the wonders of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef to the rugged Aussie Outback.
The Overlander's Way follows the paths of our droving heroes who brought vast herds of live cattle from the east Kimberley to the Queensland east coast. The route, which later served as an important supply line during World War II, starts at Townsville and takes in the Outback towns of Charters Towers, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Mount Isa and Camooweal on the Queensland-Northern Territory border and Tennant Creek.
Beginning at either the tropical city of Townsville, or Tennant Creek, the heart of the Northern Territory, the Overlander’s Way offers sealed roads all the way for modern adventurers to travel with ease. From the vast rugged cattle plains to dramatic basalt landscapes, spectacular gorges and prolific wildlife, the Overlander’s Way promises a journey rich with discovery, unspoilt natural beauty and friendly local characters. Along the way, you’ll also find a wide variety of attractions. Call in and experience these whilst travelling the Overlander’s Way.
Suggested Itinerary to Experience
Townsville to Northern Territory border
Distance: 1081
Duration: 6 Days
Suitable For: all vehicles
Depart from Townsville, a glowing city with exceptional natural and historical attractions. Experience a by gone era in and around Charter Towers, once the second largest city in Queensland when gold fever flowed through the veins of everyone that strolled the streets. Travel into the heart of dinosaur country, Hughenden. For many moons ago in prehistoric times, it sat on the shoreline of a great inland sea. The first entire dinosaur skeleton found in Australia, catapulted the area into international fame - 'Hughie' as the skeleton was nicknamed, is on display at the Flinders Discovery Centre. Roll into Julia Creek, the first place of European settlement in north-west Queensland and once a major stopping point for the overlanders. Finally, Mount Isa - or as the locals like to say 'The Isa'. Read the full itinerary