north qld road info

Tony contact the Main Roads Department in Queensland as the road conditions can change overnight from good to impassable. The Main Roads will normally give you some local phone numbers you can call closer to the time (may even be centrlised now) to find out the condition of the road. I spent nine years in North Queensland and across Northern Australia so certainly no what happens to the roads in some areas after rain. In winter you are always fairly safe as you do not normally get enough rain to creat havoc.

Helton,

We did that route in July 2000, it is worth it, if you have time you can follow the Mitchell river and checkout the old crossing, quite a nice area to camp too.
We camped on the banks of the Mitchell river, you need permission from the Kowanyama Aboriginal community, they also have fuel there but don't rely on it as they run out as we got there...
The track is not difficult but it would be hard just after the wet.
If you use or are familiar with oziexplorer (the software not the person who posts here) I can send you the plots as I was plotting in real time the whole way.
That year we also did Cape Melville and we are doing Cape Melville again this year.
Will

Hi Helton
Yep have travelled that stretch of dirt. Beautiful area and best of all no tourists! Approx 120km from Kowanyama to Pompuraaw took us 4 hours. Mitchell River is an exciting crossing and must be walked through first. Must stay overnight at the beach at pompurraw (you'll have it all to yourself). Countless side tracks which can disorient those who are navigationally challenged, and some wild cattle grids!! From Pomp to the Roadhouse roads were in good nic and could do 100km/h. As always road conditions are a moving feast and need to check with Queensland Transport or RACQ. Hope this helps.
Russell