Tourist Drives Of Hughenden

The Eromanga Sea Byway

HIGHLIGHTS

Diverse Landscapes
Eromanga Sea
Kooroorinya Falls Nature Reserve (optional)

JOURNEY

This scenic drive takes you through a diversity of landscapes through black soil downs, rolling Mitchell grass plains, up to the desert uplands and the prehistoric Eromanga Sea.

About one hundred and ten million years ago a shallow sea covered what is now arid inland Australia. Australia’s most beautiful and complete fossils of this period are of the spectacular marine creatures that lived in this cold sea. Why not call into the beautiful Kooroorinya Falls Nature Reserve during your trip.

HIGH CLEARANCE vehicle is recommended for this track

Flinders River Byway

HIGHLIGHTS

Bioregional Diversity
Scenic Shortcut
Glendower Wall Scenic Lookout

JOURNEY

The shortest of the three byways in our region, at 32km long, is especially popular with travellers wishing to experience a cross-section of the bioregions on offer in our district, and also makes a scenic shortcut for travellers wishing to go east after visiting Porcupine Gorge.

From Hughenden, head north over the bridge on the Kennedy Developmental Road which leads up to Porcupine Gorge National Park. After 29km, turn right at the Tourist Drive #4 (Flinders River Byway – Glentor Rd).

The journey begins in semi-forested, Mitchell Grass downs country with the basalt wall in the distance to the left. Be careful coming on and off the floodways and cement causeways.

After about 19km the country changes to pebbly red soil ridges with primarily Gidgee vegetation, and then moves on again to eucalypt woodland as you approach the crossing of the Flinders River. This crossing is a formed road but unsealed. Take the time to admire the magnificent Rivergums that fringe the riverbed.

A further 2km takes you up a short stretch of bitumen to the Glendower Wall Scenic Lookout, which provides a great photographic opportunity, with sweeping views across the plains towards the basalt ridges on the horizon.

4WD Basalt Byway

HIGHLIGHTS

Stunning Landscapes
Rich Agricultural Land
Natural Lookouts
Abundant Flora and Fauna

JOURNEY

The Basalt Byway is a 4WD track winding between the landscapes North of Hughenden, running for approx 95km. This track, takes you on a journey through some amazing country featuring rolling landscapes of basalt walls and deep valleys. Basalt Rock is typically the first lava to issue from a volcano, this area and soil type is very nutritious and is classed as prime grazing land.

The area you travel though has a large diversity of soils and nature. Boasting some excellent lookouts to view from showing the depth and length of many of the valleys you will wind through, one lookout in particular showing open downs area with the town of Hughenden in the distance.

This track takes you through many grazing properties, these properties used to be mainly sheep stations but as time has gone by they have changed over to cattle grazing. History tells stories of pioneering families who lost everything in the great floods that swept through these valley areas many years ago.

There is an abundance of flora and fauna to look at spotting the odd Kangaroo, Dingo and Emu is always a feature of the drive. The bird life is abundant and in the wetter months of the year the wildflowers and flowering Gums are spectacular, amongst the downs area the flower called the Flinders Poppy which Hughenden is well known for, flowers in the drier months of year, creating rivers of red along the open plains.

Travelling on this track will certainly delight the 4WD enthusiasts. On this track you will cross the Flinders River, boasting wonderful waterholes to swim in, throughout the wetter months.

To get onto the Basalt Byway head out of Hughenden on the Kennedy Developmental Road, heading north. Approximately 2 km from the Flinders Discovery Centre is a road to your left which will put you directly onto the Basalt Byway. This road is an unsealed road and we recommend you drive to the road conditions. Please stay within the road area as these are private properties that you will be travelling through.
Please Note; If headed from the Galah Creek road just keep every turn to your left and leave gates as you find them!