Your go-to guide to Australia’s Big Sky Drive.

Looking for your next adventure? Well, Australia’s collection of iconic road trips just got a new addition. Stretching across Outback Queensland, the newly launched Big Sky Drive showcases this under-the-radar region in all its red-dirt glory.

What is the Big Sky Drive?

For those lucky enough to have experienced Outback Queensland, you’ll know just how special it is. With wide open skies, centuries-old landscapes and seemingly endless horizons, it’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve washed its red dirt from your skin.

Yet despite its many charms, the region can often be overlooked by travellers keen to tick off bucket-list outback experiences like Uluṟu and the Kimberley. But that’s all about to change with the launch of the Big Sky Drive, a new 380-kilometre road trip from Cloncurry to Camooweal via Mount Isa.

The magic isn’t limited to what’s outside your window, either. A geo-located audio guide accompanies the journey, with over three hours of immersive storytelling turning long hours on the road into a living narrative of Outback Queensland.

Automatically triggered as travellers move along the route, it shares unique tales and insider tips spanning aviation history and mining heritage to iconic outback pubs and cosy places to stay. The best part? Every story is told by an Outback Queensland local, including miners, drovers, pilots and more.

Where to stop along the way

The eastern gateway to the Big Sky Drive is Cloncurry, and what this small outback town may lack in size, it more than makes up for in country charm. Known as the Friendly Heart of the Great North West, Cloncurry is the perfect place to begin your journey.

A day here is well spent cooling off at swimming holes, exploring museums, joining guided tours, or simply wandering the town’s heritage streets. Cloncurry also holds a significant place in Australian aviation history as the birthplace of our Royal Flying Doctor Service, which you can learn about at John Flynn Place.

Next on your itinerary is Mount Isa, just a 90-minute drive west of Cloncurry. Learn about the city’s industrial roots by visiting Outback at Isa, where attractions range from museum displays and fossil fields to cultural workshops and underground mine tours.

But linger a little longer and you’ll discover there’s more to Mount Isa than its mining identity. The city also boasts freshwater lakes, scenic lookouts, outback rodeos and some of the best stargazing spots in the country.

From Mount Isa, the Big Sky Drive continues towards its final stop. Perched on the Queensland-Northern Territory border, it’ll take you just over two hours to reach Camooweal, where those willing to venture beyond the tourist trail are rewarded well.

This remote borderlands town offers a glimpse into Outback Queensland at its most authentic and unfiltered, where ancient landscapes, natural wonders and true frontier living collide.

Among the town’s biggest drawcards is Wiliyan-ngurru National Park, an ancient network of caves and sinkholes formed more than 500 million years ago.

Need to know before you go

Outback Queensland’s new Big Sky Drive is designed as a four-day road trip, but this is a journey best enjoyed at your own pace. Whether you’re stopping to swim at a waterhole, grabbing dinner at a country pub or pulling over to admire the sunset, travellers are encouraged to take their time.

There’s no set way to tackle the Big Sky Drive, either. You can start the 380-kilometre journey from either Cloncurry or Camooweal, and connections to major touring routes like the Overlanders Way and Barkly Highway make it easy to extend the adventure.

All roads along the route are sealed, so you won’t need a 4WD to experience it. Petrol stations, supermarkets, mechanics and accommodation are all available in Cloncurry, Camooweal and Mount Isa.

Before setting off, don’t forget to download the accompanying audio guide. Available for free via the Big Sky Drive website or Storytowns app, it features 11 chapters that bring the landscapes, history and characters of Outback Queensland to life.