Herveys Range Dev Road to Valley of Lagoons then to Mt Fox

The OP is talking about the Harvey's Range Rd not the Flinders Hwy through Charters Towers.

Sorry maybe I didn't explain it correctly.

Looking for back roads or dirt roads , grew up near Cairns and bored going via the Bitumen

Thanks Bob, I did have the order mixed up, I meant Harvey Range then north to Hidden Valley, north to Mt Fox then west towards Greenvale and then north.

Bob is that the Kirrama Ra Road past Blancoe Falls that is closed? Many years ago (1986) I did a trip along that road, crossed the Herbert at Cashmere ruin then past L. Lucy on to the Valley of Lagoons for an overnight camp and back to the coast via the Camel Ck Road. Bloke we went with knew all the landholders so we were free to travel on private property if required, also closer to the coast, all the logging roads were open and maintained. It a bit too far in the past to remember the exact route. A number of my work colleagues also had plots experimenting with the introduction of new legume pasture species at Mt Fox and Kangaroo Hills. Been a long time ago though.

That’s it, Warren. Apparently, if one wishes to view the falls now, it is necessary to use the access via Mt Garnet. Know a bloke who owned a block on that road, Glen Ruth, some years back, but didn’t contact him when I found out the road is closed…….permanently?

Interesting about your work on new legumes, back then. Worked for a company that had a big block on the Mitchell, where they were trialling some of the early legumes. Either it’s too early in the morning, or I’m too old to remember some of their names?

Bob

Kirrama Range Road
Wet Tropics Management Authority says it reopened in 2014 unless it's closed again. Worth a call to the Cassowary Coastal Council.
Edit: Appears to be open unless the December cyclone caused damage. Repairs completed.

Sorry can’t help with current road conditions, haven’t been down that road for a few of years.

The upper (northern) end of the Gunnawarra Rd is usually quite trafficable down to Wairuna Rd towards Valley of Lagoons. Not sure how well built or sprung a hybrid van might be nor if significant damage was done to any section in the recent wet season but I’d say by June the road managers will have most of it in pretty good nick. Based on past experiences the road would be generally trafficable to a trailer/van with above average clearance and suspension. The Kirrama Range section is managed by Cassowary Coast who have a hell of a time trying to keep it in condition with the rainfall events they experience which is why it has spent long periods closed on/off since Cyclone Larry. The western and southern sections are variously managed by National Parks, Tablelands and Charters Towers Councils, you could check with them. There’s also the Oak Hills Rd off Wairuna that takes you thru Mt Fox to Ingham.

This conversation also got me interested because my old man worked for CSIRO most of his life and had legume trial plots on Lansdown (between Townsville and Charters Towers) plus up around Walkamin (DPI) and Southedge Station (Mitchell R).

Thanks Dermie.
Mark

Advisable not to tow a van on the Kirrama to Mt Garnet road. Very steep in places, tight and a nightmare when raining. I towed an off road camper from Kennedy to Goshen station about 6 years ago. Worst bloody drive of my life. I did not see any sign saying prohibiting trailers/vans. 7 hours at walking speed due to rain, thick fog, muddy hill climbs. Weather was overcast in Kennedy but horrible up higher. Took 3 attempts just to get up one hill by my mate towing a light Jayco camper. I believe there is a sign telling of the tracks condition and towing/weight restrictions. Even in the dry it would not be advisable as meeting another vehicle coming the opposite direction and towing would see possible accident or extremely difficult manoeuvrers. Lesson learnt on that trip...thats for sure.

Thanks Dermie and Bigfish for you feedback

John

Sorry spell check changed what I wrote. It should have been......."the only way to sustain successful tropical legume pastures is not to GRAZE them".