WW2 Airfield Free Camp – Barkly Highway

This WW2 airfield, another historical remnant along the Barkly Highway, is located closer to Mount Isa than its Camooweal counterpart. It offers a similarly vast, open, and free camping experience for travellers. The old airstrip provides a massive, flat area of bitumen and gravel, perfect for any size rig, from simple tents to the largest motorhomes. Campers can spread out, ensuring privacy and peace well away from the road noise of the highway. Like many remote bush camps, this site is completely devoid of facilities. There are no toilets, no water, no power, and no rubbish bins. It is essential for all visitors to be fully self-contained and to practice strict ‘leave no trace’ camping, carrying out everything they bring in. The historical significance of the site adds a unique element to the stay, inviting reflection on its role during World War II. The location’s primary benefit is its convenience as a safe and spacious overnight stop between Cloncurry, Mount Isa, and Camooweal. The lack of artificial light makes for phenomenal stargazing opportunities, with the Milky Way brilliantly visible on clear nights. While the site itself offers little in terms of formal recreation, its wide-open spaces are great for stretching your legs or for pets to run around. For the self-sufficient traveller, this historical airfield provides a memorable and practical stopover, embodying the spirit of outback freedom and exploration.

Site Information

• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained vehicles of all sizes.
• Road Access: Sealed highway (Barkly Highway).
• Site Surface: Old bitumen, gravel, dirt.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Unspecified, 24-48 hours is standard practice.
• Facilities: None. This is a self-sufficient bush camp.
• Potable Water: No.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Patchy to none. A satellite phone or booster is recommended.
• TV Reception: Unlikely.
• Onsite Public Toilets: No.
• Rubbish Bins: No. You must take all rubbish with you.
• Open Fires: Generally permitted, subject to local fire restrictions. Use existing fire pits where possible.
• Generator Use: Permitted, considerate use is expected.
• Number of Sites Available: Enormous open area with no defined sites.
• Essentials to Bring: All food, drinking water, toilet and shower facilities, rubbish bags.
• Pet Friendly: Yes.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Informal walks around the vast airfield.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs:
  • The Isa Hotel, Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
  • Barkly Hotel, Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
  • Overlander Hotel, Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Extensive options including fast food, cafes, and restaurants in Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Hard Times Mine Underground Tour, Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
  • Outback at Isa & Riversleigh Fossil Centre (approx. 85 km)
  • Mount Isa City Lookout (approx. 85 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Argylla Caravan Park, Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
  • Discovery Parks – Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Other WW2 Airfield near Camooweal (approx. 105 km west)
  • Corella Dam (approx. 60km east)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Mount Isa Information Centre (approx. 85 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple major brand stations in Mount Isa (approx. 85 km)
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Mount Isa Information Centre (approx. 85 km)
• Public Toilets:
  • Mount Isa Information Centre & various parks in town (approx. 85 km)

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The region has a classic outback climate with a very hot summer (wet season) and a mild, dry winter.