Getting to Central Queensland

Flying to the Tropic of Capricorn

The quickest way to start your Dig The Tropic adventure is to fly here. Central Queensland is served by two major airports: Rockhampton and Longreach with frequent daily connections from most major eastern cities, including Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Driving to Central Queensland

If you’re towing a caravan, driving a motorhome or just love to cruise the open highway plan your trip on one of several themed highways…

From Brisbane: travel the inland route along Great Inland Way to Longreach or travel on Pacific Coast Touring Route to Rockhampton.

From Sydney: follow Australia’s Country Way, which takes you along the New England Highway to Rockhampton, or journey along the Great Inland Way, which follows the Great Dividing Range, travel the coast road on Pacific Coast Touring Route.

From Melbourne: retrace the steps of the famous explorers along the Newell/Leichhardt Highway which takes you to Rockhampton or journey further inland along the Matilda Highway to Longreach.

Travelling around the Tropic of Capricorn

The Capricorn Highway travels alongside the Tropic of Capricorn from Barcaldine to Rockhampton, passing through the major geo attractions along the way. Visit the Capricorn Highway website for a range of suggested itineraries and maps to help plan your journey.

If you are arriving in Central Queensland by air then you are going to need a vehicle. You can rent a hire car or 4WD in Rockhampton and Longreach.

Planning and booking accommodation

To find and book a great range of quality accommodation in Central Queensland visit Capricorn Tourism’s website . For accommodation in Outback Queensland visit Outback Queensland holidays.

Useful Driving Information

To ensure you make the most of your drive holiday, here are some useful tips for driving in the region…

Once you arrive, there are plenty of regional visitor centres to provide you with all the information you’ll need to help plan your itinerary and make bookings. Look for visitor information centres displaying the official symbol info, which will assure you a high standard of service and professionalism. These centres are staffed mostly by local volunteers who are knowledgeable and passionate about their local areas Supplies

The Tropic of Capricorn passes through numerous regional centres where you can restock food supplies, buy a newspaper and fill-up on petrol. You’ll also find services like mechanical repairs and medical centres.

Sometimes, there may be hundreds of kilometres between major centres, so keep an eye on the petrol gauge and always carry spare supplies.

For latest information on road conditions visit the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) website.

Visiting remote areas (including Opalton and Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways)

Travelling along remote roads is rewarding, but it can also be risky if you’re unprepared. Before you set out, find out from the RACQ, local council or an experienced local what items you might want to have on hand to make your journey more comfortable and to ensure your safety. You might need rain gear, flashlights, a first aid kit and maps. Mobile phones will work in most populated areas, but will be less reliable in remote areas. Remote roads may be a narrow strip of bitumen or gravel, so take care on narrow stretches and soft edges. When another vehicle approaches, slow down to reduce the dust and the risk of a stone damaging your windscreen. Pull over to the edge of the road to allow plenty of room for vehicles to pass. Cattle and wildlife often feed on the green grass growing beside roads. Be especially careful at sunrise, sunset and at night.