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ABOUT Camooweal

Camooweal is located on the Queensland-Northern Territory border, 330 kilometres south of Burketown, 188 kilometres from Mount Isa and 440 kilometres from the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory.

Camooweal proudly declares itself ‘Gateway to the Northern Territory/Queensland’. The road from Mount Isa to the town, known to locals as ‘Tojo’s Highway’, was built during World War Two with American funds and was originally designed as a link between the southern states and the theoretical ‘front line’ in the Northern Territory.

The explorer William Landsborough was the first European to pass through the Camooweal area. At the time (1862) he was looking for Burke and Wills. His reports led to the area being settled by pastoralists but it wasn’t until 1884 that the town of Camooweal was gazetted. It grew as a service centre for the surrounding properties but the growth of Mount Isa meant sustained growth was not possible. Camooweal is now considered a ‘suburb’ of Mount Isa, such is the vastness of the region, and the huge jurisdiction the Mount Isa City Council operates. The Barkly Highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal is considered the longest main street in the world at 188 kilometres long!

The Camooweal district is honeycombed with rare sink holes and caves, dating back to the Cambrian Period, about 500 million years ago. Those visitors experienced in serious caving will discover a whole new world beneath the Camooweal region.

Camooweal is home to the Drover’s Camp Festival, held every August.

While in Cammoweal visit The Barkly Tableland Heritage Centre, Freckleton’s Store, Cammoweal Caves National Park, Camooweal Cemetery and the Drovers Camp Information Centre.

Places to stay near Camooweal

Things to see and do near Camooweal

While at Camooweal why not try these Tours

North West Tours

North West Tours specialise in small group tours around Mount Isa and beyond.

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Yagurli Tours

Yagurli Tours is an Indigenous owned business operated by the Gangalidda and Garawa Peoples.

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Balloon Aloft Burketown

Balloon Aloft is partnering with Yagurli Tours for a hot air balloon experience with a difference this June to September.

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Cobbold Gorge Tours

Deep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region of Far North Queensland is a hidden outback oasis – Cobbold Gorge.

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Dingo Trax – Birdsville and Outback Queensland

Whether you are a seasoned 4WD enthusiast or completely new to it all, Dingo Trax have your back!

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Discovery Experiences – Undara

Only 3½ hours drive from Cairns and four hours from Townsville in Tropical North Queensland, you’ll discover a land so different in contrasts…. Undara.

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Outback Pioneers

Outback Pioneers’ award-winning outback tours and experiences, based in Longreach, is all about holidays and experiences that bring the pioneer past to life.

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Outback Aussie Tours – Day Tours

Outback Aussie Tours is a family-owned local operator with over 35 years of experience and unrivalled local Outback Queensland knowledge, passion and connections.

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Outback Aussie Tours – Outback Rail Adventure Day Tours

The Outback Rail Adventure is Outback Aussie Tours’ newest tourism experience reconnecting our visitors with the romance of rail.

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Eromanga Natural History Museum

The Eromanga Natural History Museum is committed to discovering, conserving and showcasing the fossil, natural and cultural heritage from the prehistoric and modern-day environments.

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Charleville’s ‘Magnificent 7’

Discover stars, WWII secrets and bilbies for starters on Charleville’s ‘Magnificent 7’ day tour in Outback Queensland. Morning tea, lunch and transfers included.

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WWII Secret Tag-A-Long Tour – Charleville

Discover why over 3500 United States Army Air Force personnel were stationed in Charleville during World War II.

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