Overlander's Way
From Townsville to Northern Territory Border

Trip Length: 6 days  Total Distance: 1081 km  Road Conditions: All sealed roads

Townsville

Charters Towers

Hughenden

Julia Creek

Mount Isa

Camooweal

Northern Territory Border

'Pass the billy round boys, don't let the pint pot stand there,' for you're about to follow in the steps of pioneering men and women along the famous Overlander's Highway. Hear stories of great droving feats and the colourful characters after which the Overlander's gets its name - many a verse has been penned about the legendary, brave and rugged drovers known as the 'overlanders'.

From the dazzling reef to the ochre tinged outback, The Overlander's Way leads you past incredible sights both modern and ancient, natural and man made. The journey begins from Townsville right on the doorstep to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef - the only living organism visible from outer space! Fall into the relaxed pace of tropical life while taking in this natural wonderland full of vibrant marine life, fringed with idyllic beaches.

Then its westwards to the historic gold mining town of Charters Towers. Then on your way to Hughenden, Richmond and Cloncurry. You'll witness magnificent landscapes where dinosaurs once roamed and volcanoes rumbled. Across endless grazing lands, the road leads you into one of the largest cities in the world Mount Isa - the main street here is 180 km long! Via the Barkly Highway the Overlander's Way passes vast mining leases through Camooweal to finish the Queensland leg just 12 km on at the Northern Territory border.

The tracks across which the overlanders moved huge mobs of stock have all been replaced, you now travel in comfort with the tarmac underneath. The Overlander's Way is a major link road connecting Highway One on the east coast with Tennant Creek on the Explorer Highway in the Northern Territory - it is a drive that truly reveals the charisma of Australia. Cattle are still moved through this important corridor so there's every chance you'll see a road train or two driven by the modern day drover.

There's some wonderful sidetracks enticing you to explore, from national parks to lookouts, inland lakes and gorges - what a unique insight into Australian history and traditions!

So grab that billy, start the motor running, and in the spirit of the overlanders head on out for an adventure through a slice of Queensland with a little something for everyone - The Overlander's Way.