The Capricorn Way Itinerary - Rockhampton to the isa.

Explore the Tropic of Capricorn along a 1,500 km journey known as The Capricorn Way, where you’ll depart from Australia’s Beef Capital, the city of Rockhampton. Just 30 minutes on your journey west you’ll reach Mt Hay Park…where you can fossick for those ancient volcanic thundereggs.

Heading west along your journey is the Blackdown Tableland National Park and then onto Emerald and the Central Highlands. Here you’ll discover the Sapphire Gemfields and the towns of Sapphire and Rubyvale. Make time to try your luck fossicking for the beautiful Australian sapphires and gems this area is famous for.

Travelling further into the sunset you’ll head to Barcaldine, or Barky as the locals know it. This beautiful outback town is home to the Tree of Knowledge that pays homage to the 1891 shearers’ strike. While you’re in town visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre and experience the historic hotels in the main street. You’ll find a good selection of accommodation here, but book ahead, it’s a popular spot.

From Barcaldine you’ll head into the heart of Outback Queensland onto Longreach, home of The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum and tours and cruises on the Thomson River (just to name a few!).

From Longreach head north to Winton, the Waltzing Matilda Centre and the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. This ancient landscape is the location of Australia’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils…some 100-million years old, is part of the Australian Dinosaur Trail.

Heading from Winton to Mount Isa, head north to Cloncurry.  Affectionately known by the locals as the "Curry", did you know it's the birthplace of the Australian Flying Doctor's Service.

Enroute to the final destination of Mount Isa, be sure to make time and explore the Mary Kathleen Mine.  This fascinating location has become quite a hit with Instagram influences.  You can book for tours of the mine with North West Tours.

And then we'll "see you in the Isa" for 4 days of non-stop rodeo action!

For more travel information, be sure to visit our mates at one of the official Outback Queensland Visitor Information Centres.

Insider's Tip

If you’re looking to explore more, there’s a detour west of Winton to Mount Isa via the Middleton Hotel and onto Boulia, the home of the Min Min Light. Ask at the visitor centre in Winton’s Waltzing Matilda Centre for directions and road conditions.