Riversleigh World Heritage Area - road conditions
Submitted: Friday, May 31, 2013 at 14:43
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Member - Greg C2
My wife and I will depart from
Sydney on our 'lap' next month. We plan to visit Boodjamulla (
Lawn Hill) National Park, coming in from Burke and Wills Roadhouse in about mid July, staying 2-3 days at Adels Grove. I figure that the best way to visit the
Riversleigh WHA is to travel from Adels Grove, and thence travel to
Camooweal via the track/road to the
Gregory Downs
Camooweal Road.
I have a Boodjamulla (
Lawn Hill) NP Visitors Guide, that describes access to
Riversleigh from Mt Isa as "via
Camooweal Road and then a dirt road that passes
Riversleigh Homestead and
Miyumba bush camp. For those planning a day trip from
Lawn Hill Gorge, D Site is a 51 km drive."
We'll be towing a Coromal Corvair poptop (5.41m, tandem axles, 16 inch Bridgestone AT tyres), with our 2009 diesel Prado.
My concern is whether our rig will be able to handle the
Lawn Hill to
Riversleigh, and then the
Riversleigh to
Camooweal legs - by driving to the conditions and with max care as if we bust something we will be far from mechanics, and a major problem will jeopardise the rest of our trip around WA, etc. Appreciate any advice.
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Friday, May 31, 2013 at 17:58
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 17:58
We travelled that route 2 years back in the reverse direction - as I recall, the only stony section was that area east of
Riversleigh to the main
Gregory Downs rd. Otherwise, roads in general were very good gravel. Taken quite easily where required, it should be a good drive for you. Worth the look at
Riversleigh - fascinating to see the fossils in-situ.
AnswerID:
512259
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, May 31, 2013 at 19:49
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 19:49
Haven't been up that way for some years, Greg, but last time I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of new bitumen, and the upgrading of the remaining gravel sections. We used to live at Planet Downs in the late '80's and that road was a real endurance track back then.
If you decide to come down that way, and it'll save you heaps of K's if you do, then I'd suggest following the road down to the Barkly H'way
junction, rather than head straight across to
Camooweal. Think this
junction is about 75kms from
Camooweal. This road, up to the
Gregory Pub, is usually graded just before the Canoe races, on May Day weekend, so it might still be in fair order in July.
The country through there is quite interesting so it won't be much of a chore to just poke along, have a few Kodak moments, and look after your 'van,
Bob.
AnswerID:
512277
Reply By: Member - Peter L (VIC) - Friday, May 31, 2013 at 23:23
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 23:23
Traveled from Barkly Hwy turning north 70 km east of Cammoweal on our way to
Lawn Hill in Prado 120. Found some extremely rough bits of road which needed significantly reduced tyre pressure to take the sting out of the road. Demolished my UHF bracket. Beautiful area. Stayed at
Lawn Hill reserve and felt it was worth a return visit. Not sure about caravan. Speed and tyre pressure mods essential on some bits. May be different now.
Enjoy the trip. There are a few day trips from Adeles Gve as
well.
Peter
AnswerID:
512301
Reply By: Will be Y - Monday, Jun 03, 2013 at 16:50
Monday, Jun 03, 2013 at 16:50
G'day Greg C2
We did that area in 2010 in the reverse to the way you are considering, our trip went west from Isa to the turn off 70 km east of
Camooweal then up the bitumen road to the
Gregory Downs/
Camooweal road; work was being done on this road then so more could now be sealed, we then turned north west onto the
Riversleigh road, crossed the
Gregory river and onto Adels Grove. Gravel roads were in fair condition in September and we had no problems towing our 20ft Nova van, one
creek crossing between
Riversleigh & Adels Grove was a bit rough but it was OK to get through. We camped at the slab crossing on the
Gregory river, which is a beautiful spot, the fossil site is
well worth the hike around the
hill with some amazing
rock formations. Boodjamulla [
Lawn Hill]
Gorge well worth the time there especially do a canoe trip into
the gorge. Adels Grove is a nice area to
camp no power sites, plenty space between van sites, great restaurant & bar
We came out of Adels Grove to
Gregory Downs the road to the
mine turn off was ordinary but from then on it was a good gravel road, take care with the road trains to and from the
mine.
enjoy your trip
cheers,
Will B Why
AnswerID:
512464