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This new outback road trip reveals a secret side of Queensland

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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?

Outback Queensland
Outback Queensland is the kind of place that finds its way into your heart.

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.

Big Sky Drive, Outback Queensland
The new Big Sky Drive covers 380 kilometres across outback Queensland.

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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Where to stop along the way

Cloncurry, Outback Queensland
The small town of Cloncurry is often referred to as the Friendly Heart of the Great North West.

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.

Big Sky Drive, Outback Queensland
It’s a 90-minute drive from Cloncurry to Mount Isa.

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.

Mount Isa, Outback Queensland
Mining tours in Mount Isa are led by experienced mine workers.

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.

Camooweal, Outback Queensland
Camooweal offers a glimpse into outback living at its most authentic. (Credit: Getty/Swiss Media Vision)

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.

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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.

Big Sky Drive, Outback Queensland
There’s no reason to rush your journey along the Big Sky Drive.

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.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

    As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

    Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

    Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

    1. Year-round summer weather

    A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
    Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

    2. Getting active without the humidity

    A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
    Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

    3. Hamilton Island Race Week

    Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
    Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

    4. Best time for snorkelling

    A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

    It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

    5. Fewer crowds

    People kayaking.
    Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

    6. Delicious dining

    The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
    Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

    The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

    5. Clear skies for idyllic views

    The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
    End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

    To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.