Fountain Springs Rest Area – Cloncurry

Fountain Springs Rest Area is a basic but essential free 24-hour stop for travellers making their way across the vast and rugged landscape of outback Queensland on the Barkly Highway. Located between the major mining towns of Cloncurry and Mount Isa, this is a quintessential roadside rest stop, offering a safe place to pull over and take a break from the long stretches of driving. The rest area is a large, open, gravel clearing set just off the highway, with enough space to accommodate a number of large rigs, caravans, and motorhomes. There are no facilities here—no toilets, no water, and no power—so it is strictly for fully self-contained vehicles. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and necessity, providing a level place to park for the night under a spectacular outback sky. The area is steeped in folklore; the name ‘Fountain Springs’ is famously associated with the Crocodile Dundee movie, with the nearby Fountain Springs gorge rumoured to be the location of the iconic ‘that’s not a knife’ scene. While the rest area itself is purely functional, the surrounding landscape of rust-red hills and sparse vegetation is starkly beautiful. It’s a true bush camp, offering peace, quiet, and an incredible display of stars, making it a valuable resource for self-sufficient travellers on one of Australia’s great outback journeys.

Site Information

• Location: On the Barkly Highway, approximately 60 km west of Cloncurry and 60 km east of Mount Isa.
• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained vehicles only. Can accommodate big rigs.
• Road Access: Sealed highway to the entrance of the gravel rest area.
• Site Surface: Gravel and dirt.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 20-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 20 hours.
• Facilities: None. You must be completely self-sufficient.
• Potable Water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Very limited to non-existent. A signal may be available intermittently on the highway.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: No.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes, bins are generally provided.
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted, with considerate use for other campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Large open area without defined sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Your own toilet, shower, water, and power. All food and supplies.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Informal walks in the surrounding bushland.

Local Amenities

This is a remote location. All services are available in Cloncurry (approx. 60 km east) or Mount Isa (approx. 60 km west).

• Local Pubs:
  • Post Office Hotel, Cloncurry (approx. 60 km)
  • Leichhardt Hotel, Cloncurry (approx. 60 km)
  • The Isa Hotel, Mount Isa (approx. 60 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Numerous options in both Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
• Local Attractions:
  • John Flynn Place Museum, Cloncurry
  • Mary Kathleen Mine Lookout (short detour off the highway)
  • Outback at Isa, Mount Isa
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Cloncurry Caravan Park Oasis (approx. 60 km)
  • Discovery Parks, Mount Isa (approx. 60 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Corella Dam (donation camp, approx. 40 km west)
  • Cloncurry Coppermine Freedom Camp (approx. 55 km east)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Public dump points are available in both Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple options in both Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in both Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available in both Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The region has a hot semi-arid climate, with extremely hot summers and mild, dry winters.