The Barkly Tablelands run northeast of Tennant Creek and are an enormous expanse of golden Mitchell grasslands divided into vast cattle stations. This land of big skies and far horizons gives a true sense of the outback. The Barkly is known for the epic cattle drives of yesteryear that passed through the area en route to Queensland. Today the stock route is the Overlanders Way (Barkly Highway) and is plied by mighty road trains and visitors alike. Standing alone in this ocean of Mitchell grass is the wayside inn of Barkly Homestead on the junction of the Barkly and Tablelands Highway. It provides a welcome respite on the long drive to or from Queensland.