Winton to Longreach

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesWinton
FinishLongreach
DifficultyDifficulty 4/5
Suitable ForAWD Motorbike 
Distance432.73 km
Minimum Days4
Average Speed58.03 km/hr
Travel Time7 hrs 27 mins
Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

From the outback Queensland town of Winton in Waltzing Matilda country, the Winton to Longreach trek follows mostly gravel roads passing Mitchell grass plains punctuated by stony ranges and mesas known locally as jump-up country. The trek heads past the Lark Quarry Conservation Reserve and its famous dinosaur tracks to the opal mines and the quaint Aussie general store known as the “Opalton Outpost” at Opalton. Then backtracking again towards the ruins of Mayneside homestead it turns east along a minor and sometimes difficult to follow gravel track towards Vergemont Station. Continuing east along the Longreach Silsoe Road, it eventually meets the Landsborough Highway (Route 66) to the historically significant town of Longreach.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2024 mapset!

Environment

Around Winton and Longreach the terrain is predominantly Mitchell grass plains punctuated by stony ranges and mesas known locally as jump-up country. During the summer months the temperatures may reach 45 to 50 degrees C. Travel in the region between October and March is not recommended due to high temperatures and possible flooding.

History

Lark Quarry Environmental Park

Located 110 km from Winton, the Lark Quarry Environmental Park with its famous Dinosaur Stampede is an interesting insight into life in western Queensland some ninety five million years ago. This is the largest group of footprints of running dinosaurs uncovered anywhere in the world. First discovered in the early 1960s it was completely excavated in 1976-77. Three species of dinosaur made the 1200 tracks - a large flesh eating carnosaur and many small coelurosaurs and ornithopods.

The brochure on Lark Quarry explains the footprints: 'Most of the footprints were made when a carnosaur trapped groups of coelurosaurs and ornithopods on the muddy edge of a lake.' The area is now protected from the weather and clear signs on a 650 metre track explain the events.

Opalton Fields

The Opalton fields are a reminder of how things can change in far western Queensland. Discovered in 1888 they were not worked until 1893. By 1896 there were 500-600 men on the fields but the inevitable problem of water (which had to be carted over 20 km) ensured that when the price of opals dropped the field was abandoned. The township has vanished and all that is left are some ruins and the remains of mullock heaps where miners once fossicked for the precious opals.

TrekID: 105

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
A 4WD vehicle is only recommended for this trek and you should carry sufficient fuel, water and food. Carry at least one spare tyre AND tyre repair equipment, recovery gear and safety equipment. Taking navigation equipment with the latest updated maps is also wise to prevent you from getting lost. All travellers are recommended to read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for preparing your vehicle and ensuring you are aware of the necessary driving skills to tackle a trip of this nature.

All travellers should understand that mobile phones are not a reliable form of communication when driving in this region. We advise that you refer to the Communications Topic for related articles to help you decide what communications devices suit your budget and purpose.

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 61 litres4cyl 70 litres4cyl 87 litres
6cyl 66 litres6cyl 78 litres6cyl 76 litres
8cyl 66 litres8cyl 58 litres *
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

During the summer months the temperatures may reach 45 to 50 degrees C. Travelling in the region between October and March is not recommended due to high temperatures and possible flooding.

Closest Climatic Station

Winton Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 83.97km NW
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C37.336.535.132.428.224.524.827.632.136.037.538.6
Mean Min. °C23.922.920.717.012.49.28.29.614.318.221.323.3
Mean Rain mm85.473.952.423.815.024.59.69.211.98.032.138.5
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

Working on it...

Get Traveller App Get the ExplorOz Traveller App to download all ExplorOz Treks for navigational use on your tablet, phone, iPad or laptop.
Embed this Map
Embed this trek map directly into your website or page. It is easy and free, click the button to retreive the embed code and copy and paste it to your website or page.
Download Trek
Use this download for GPX, Hema Navigator and OziExplorer. Geo data only no map included.

Directions

Winton to Undercover Large Vehicle Parking
Driving: 1.03 km
Heading: 190°
Avg Speed: 38.95 km/hr
EST Time: 01:35
  • Drive south on Manuka Street/62. for: 0.96 km time: 01:18
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Manuka Street for: 0.07 km time: 00:17
Undercover Large Vehicle Parking to Tattersalls Hotel
Driving: 0.17 km
Heading: 295°
Avg Speed: 27.44 km/hr
EST Time: 00:22
Tattersalls Hotel to Winton Jundah Rd & Nareen Jump-up Rd
Driving: 66.85 km
Heading: 228°
Avg Speed: 76.11 km/hr
EST Time: 52:42
Winton Jundah Rd & Nareen Jump-up Rd to Lark Quarry T/O
Driving: 37.39 km
Heading: 206°
Avg Speed: 80.88 km/hr
EST Time: 27:44
Lark Quarry T/O to Lark Quarry
Driving: 4.92 km
Heading: 287°
Avg Speed: 49.42 km/hr
EST Time: 05:58
Lark Quarry to Lark Quarry T/O
Driving: 5.12 km
Heading: 107°
Avg Speed: 32.35 km/hr
EST Time: 09:29
  • Head northeast for: 0.13 km time: 01:02
  • Turn right for: 4.95 km time: 08:26
  • Turn right onto Winton Jundah Road for: 0.04 km time: 00:02
Lark Quarry T/O to Winton Jundah Rd & Mainside Rd
Driving: 16.52 km
Heading: 220°
Avg Speed: 73.14 km/hr
EST Time: 13:33
Winton Jundah Rd & Mainside Rd to Mayneside Ruins
Driving: 49.84 km
Heading: 154°
Avg Speed: 58.33 km/hr
EST Time: 51:16
Mayneside Ruins to Lady Lil Mine & Vergemont Access
Driving: 15.37 km
Heading: 44°
Avg Speed: 51.99 km/hr
EST Time: 17:44
Lady Lil Mine & Vergemont Access to Opalton
Driving: 24.58 km
Heading: 33°
Avg Speed: 61.69 km/hr
EST Time: 23:54
Opalton to Lady Lil Mine & Vergemont Access
Driving: 24.58 km
Heading: 212°
Avg Speed: 61.69 km/hr
EST Time: 23:54
Lady Lil Mine & Vergemont Access to Kerosine Tin Corner
Driving: 13.68 km
Heading: 130°
Avg Speed: 32.16 km/hr
EST Time: 25:31
Kerosine Tin Corner to Vergemont Rd & Vergemont Access
Driving: 31.41 km
Heading: 99°
Avg Speed: 36.27 km/hr
EST Time: 51:57
Vergemont Rd & Vergemont Access to Bessies Castle
Driving: 23.98 km
Heading: 56°
Avg Speed: 65.1 km/hr
EST Time: 22:06
Bessies Castle to Silsoe Vergemont Rd & Morella Silsoe Rd
Driving: 1.18 km
Heading: 134°
Avg Speed: 41.51 km/hr
EST Time: 01:42
Silsoe Vergemont Rd & Morella Silsoe Rd to Longreach Silsoe Rd & Gallows Waterhole Access
Driving: 44.84 km
Heading: 86°
Avg Speed: 63.98 km/hr
EST Time: 42:03
Longreach Silsoe Rd & Gallows Waterhole Access to Longreach Silsoe Rd & Maneroo Winton Rd
Driving: 26.91 km
Heading: 77°
Avg Speed: 87.99 km/hr
EST Time: 18:20
Longreach Silsoe Rd & Maneroo Winton Rd to Longreach Silsoe Rd & Glendulloch Rd
Driving: 34.86 km
Heading: 101°
Avg Speed: 93.24 km/hr
EST Time: 22:25
Longreach Silsoe Rd & Glendulloch Rd to Longreach Silsoe Rd & Landsborough Hwy (Route 66)
Driving: 0.84 km
Heading: 67°
Avg Speed: 92.75 km/hr
EST Time: 00:32
Longreach Silsoe Rd & Landsborough Hwy (Route 66) to Landsborough Hwy & Thomas Dev Rd
Driving: 7.22 km
Heading: 145°
Avg Speed: 60.36 km/hr
EST Time: 07:10
Landsborough Hwy & Thomas Dev Rd to Longreach
Driving: 1.44 km
Heading: 125°
Avg Speed: 33.23 km/hr
EST Time: 02:36
  • Drive south on Spoonbill Street/79. for: 0.08 km time: 00:09
  • Turn left onto Swan Street. for: 0.17 km time: 00:17
  • Turn left onto Wren Street. for: 0.22 km time: 00:21
  • Turn right onto A2/Landsborough Highway. for: 0.65 km time: 00:55
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit, onto Eagle Street for: 0.21 km time: 00:30
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Eagle Street for: 0.12 km time: 00:25
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

No Places To Stay available for this trek

Services & Supplies

Minor Supply Points- Opalton Outpost General Store.

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

The following are links to Members' Blogs that contain the words Winton to Longreach. Creating Blogs is restricted to Members only. Not a Member? Join here.

Showing 2 blogs.

Comments & Reviews(3)

Post a Comment
Loading...

Sponsored Links