Cloncurry
Town
Population 2385
Cloncurry is an important mining town in the Gulf Savannah region. In 1861 John McKinlay, leading a search for Burke and Wills, reported traces of copper in the area. Six years later, pastoralist Ernest Henry discovered the first copper lodes. During World War I Cloncurry was the centre of a copper boom and the largest source of the mineral in Australia. Copper prices slumped postwar and a pastoral industry was developed. Today main industries include grazing, coppermining and goldmining. The town's interesting history extends to aviation as well. Qantas was conceived here – the original hangar can still be seen at the airport – and the town became the first base for the famous Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1928.
Visitor Information
Mary Kathleen Memorial Park and Museum, McIlwraith St (Flinders Hwy); (07) 4742 1361
Nearby national parks
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Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park
In Queensland’s arid far north-west lies a place of such unexpected and arresting beauty that its remoteness appears to be no...more
Nearby towns
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Mount Isa
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Julia Creek
Julia Creek became known as 'The Gateway to the Gulf' after the road to Normanton was sealed in 1964. Pioneer Donald MacIntyre was the...more -
Kynuna
Kynuna is a tiny outback town famous for inspiring Banjo Paterson to write his iconic tune, Waltzing Matilda. It is said that Samuel...more
In Town
John Flynn Place This complex includes the RFDS Museum, with history on the service and memorabilia including the first RFDS aircraft and an original Traegar pedal wireless. There is also the Fred McKay Art Gallery, with changing exhibits of local art, the Alfred Traegar Cultural Centre and the Alan Vickers Outdoor Theatre. Open 8am–4.30pm Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm Sat–Sun (May–Sept); Cnr Daintree and King sts.Mary Kathleen Memorial Park: with buildings from abandoned uranium mining town of Mary Kathleen including Old Police Station and Town Office – now a museum with historic items such as Robert O'Hara Burke's water bottle, local Aboriginal artefacts and a comprehensive rock, mineral and gem collection. Visitor information centre is also on-site; McIlwraith St. Shire hall: restored 1939 building; Scarr St. Cemeteries: varied cultural background of Cloncurry can be seen in the 3 cemeteries: Cloncurry Old Cemetery, including the grave of Dame Mary Gilmore (Sir Hudson Fyshe Dr); Afghan Cemetery (part of Cloncurry Old Cemetery); and Chinese Cemetery (Flinders Hwy). Original Qantas hangar: airport; Sir Hudson Fyshe Dr. Historic buildings: including the post office, Brodie Hardware Store and the Post Office Hotel; brochure from visitor centre.
Nearby
Rotary Lookout: over Cloncurry and the river; Mt Isa Hwy; 2 km W. Chinamen Creek Dam: peaceful area with abundant birdlife; 3 km W. Ernest Henry Copper and Gold Mine: tours available. Departs from Mary Kathleen Park; 29 km NE. Burke and Wills cairn: near Corella River; 43 km W. Kajabbi: town holds Yabby Races in May; 77 km NW. Kuridala: this one-time mining town is now a ghost town. Explore the ruins including the old cemetery; 88 km S. Fossicking: for amethysts and other gemstones; details from visitor centre.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Riversleigh Fossils Interpretive Centre 106 km
Situated in Mount Isa and considerably easier to get to than the fossil fields of Riversleigh, which are a three-to-four-hour drive away, this centre has palaeontologists working on site on weekdays, and offers a... Find out moreCampsites around town
Dajarra Campground 151 km
This basic campground with amenities block including hot showers is on the Diamantina Developmental Rd at Dajarra, a small community 140 km south of Mount Isa. Bring in your own drinking water.... Find out moreBurke and Wills Roadhouse 165 km
This roadhouse with 10 powered sites sits at the junction of Wills Developmental Rd and Burke Developmental Rd, about 180 km north of Cloncurry and about 200 km south of Normanton. The camping surface is a mixture of... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Gilbert Park Tourist Village 1 km
This is a quality park located 2 km east of the town centre on the main highway. Relax in the pool and spa or enjoy a meal in the undercover barbecue area. There is a good range of facilities and the park adjoins a small... Find out moreArgylla Tourist Park 104 km
On the eastern approach to Mount Isa, this is a well-appointed park that is ideal for a short or longer stay. It has good facilities and is well maintained. Bookings are required during the peak winter months and a... Find out moreSunset Top Tourist Park 106 km
Relax by the pool or enjoy a meal in the pleasant barbecue area at this popular park, situated 1.6 km from the centre of town and away from highway traffic. Bookings are required during the peak winter months and a... Find out moreCopper City Riverside Park 106 km
This park has 100 ensuite caravan and motorhome sites. Located in a quiet part of town it is our pick in Mount Isa. It has a swimming pool and is reasonably priced. Bookings are required during the peak winter months.... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Rest areas around town
Chinaman Creek Dam Park Area 4 km
3 km W of Cloncurry (L) or 118 km E of Mount Isa (R) Pleasant parking area well off the highway on the banks of the dam. Limited shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S20 42.887 E140 28.628... Find out moreQuamby Rest Area 37 km
45 km N of Cloncurry (L) or 137 km S of Burke and Wills (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S20 22.303 E140 17.016... Find out moreFountain Springs Rest Area 55 km
61 km W of Cloncurry (R) or 60 km E of Mount Isa (L) Large area just off the highway around a few trees. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S20 48.054 E139 59.813 ... Find out moreFullarton River Rest Area 56 km
46 km NW of McKinlay (L) or 62 km SE of Cloncurry (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S21 01.270 E140 56.384... Find out moreOorindi Rest Area 62 km
71 km W of Julia Creek (L) or 66 km E of Cloncurry (R) Open area just off the highway. GPS: S20 38.502 E141 06.283... Find out moreTerry Smith Rest Area 75 km
80 km N of Cloncurry (L) or 102 km S of Burke and Wills (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S20 04.825 E140 13.664 ... Find out moreMcKinlay Park Area 102 km
Middle of town Small parking area well off the highway in a side road near the police station. Good facilities. GPS: S21 16.424 E141 17.325... Find out moreJulia Creek Rest Area 130 km
East side of town Large area well off highway along the banks of Julia Creek. Limited shade. NOTE: No sign. GPS: S20 39.368 E141 45.449 ... Find out moreWWII Site Rest Area 135 km
54 km NW of Mount Isa (L) or 136 km E of Camooweal (R) Large area just off the highway at the site of a WWII memorial. Limited shade. GPS: S20 22.374 E139 15.889... Find out moreWild Duck Creek Rest Area 146 km
30 km NW of Kynuna (L) or 46 km SE of McKinlay (R) Large area just off the highway. GPS: S21 27.999 E141 40.018... Find out moreKynuna Park Area 175 km
Middle of town Large area adjacent to the highway next to the roadhouse. NOTE: Camping available for a fee. GPS: S21 34.684 E141 55.377 ... Find out moreDavid Hall Rest Area 178 km
99 km W of Mount Isa (R) or 91 km E of Camooweal (L) Large area just off the highway. GPS: S20 11.413 E138 53.917... Find out moreCombo Rest Area 187 km
145 km NW of Winton (R) or 18 km SE of Kynuna (L) Large open area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S21 32.42 E142 04.60... Find out moreCowan Downs Rest Area 191 km
23 km N of Burke and Wills (R) or 171 km S of Normanton (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S18 59.199 E140 26.073 ... Find out moreBurketown Road Rest Area 196 km
120 km W of Mount Isa (R) or 70 km E of Camooweal (L) Large area just off the highway at the junction with Burketown Road. Limited shade. GPS: S20 03.935 E138 45.605... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Markets: Florence Park, Scarr St; 1st Sat each month. Mary Kathleen Park, McIlwraith St; 4th Sun each month.
Cloncurry Show: June.
Stockman's Challenge and Campdraft: night rodeo; July.
Rockhana: mineral and gem festival; July.
Merry Muster Rodeo: July/Aug.
Art Show: Sept.
Battle of the Mines: rugby league carnival; Oct.
Cloncurry Cup: Oct.
