Normanton to Coen via Kowanyama

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesCoen
FinishNormanton
DifficultyDifficulty 3/5
Suitable For4WD Motorbike 
Distance876.25 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed43.27 km/hr
Travel Time20 hrs 14 mins
Page Updated: 18 Mar 2022

Description

Enjoy the golden savannah grasslands and the monsoonal wetlands of this trek in this rather barren region of Australia. There are a variety of native animals and a diverse portrait of birds including herons, jabirus, brolgas, sarus crane and many other waterbird species that migrate here - especially after the rains.

A good majority of the trek is on the Burke Developmental Road with minor portions being on the Karumba Development Road, Kowanyama Development Road and Musgrave Strathgordon Road before hitting Peninsula Development Road before Coen. The majority of the journey is a true adventure drive with most of it being unsealed. Although some of these roads can be rough, it’s quite navigable by conventional vehicles with care.

The trek passes through beautiful scenery, including some old historic towns. Examples include: Normanton, which is well known for its diverse migratory wading birds and Barramundi fishing and Karumba which sits on the mouth of the Norman River and is home to the Gulf of Carpentaria’s prawning and fishing industries and not to forget its stunning sunsets. Kowanyama, which means ‘the place of many waters’ is a culturally significant Aboriginal community town. This town is situated on the banks of Magnificent Creek and during the wet season, it’s not uncommon to have supplies flown in by air. There are many homestead stations olong the way including Dunbar Station and there is an old ex-fortress telegraph station now called Musgrave Roadhouse. Coen is a beautiful small town located on the old telegraph line that ran from Laura to Bamaga and is considered the last place north for supplies such as food, fuel and mechanical repairs before heading towards the tip of Cape York.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

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TrekID: 143

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 123 litres4cyl 142 litres4cyl 175 litres
6cyl 134 litres6cyl 159 litres6cyl 154 litres
8cyl 134 litres8cyl 145 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Kowanyama Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 56.29km NW
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C33.032.332.832.932.030.730.732.234.636.236.234.8
Mean Min. °C24.324.223.721.819.016.115.416.218.921.924.024.3
Mean Rain mm341.7357.5237.155.511.04.22.42.42.616.956.6174.8
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Coen to Musgrave Roadhouse
Driving: 108.33 km
Heading: 161°
Avg Speed: 49.14 km/hr
EST Time: 02:12:16
  • Drive south on Peninsula Developmental Road/81. for: 108.25 km time: 02:11:58
  • Turn right. for: 0.08 km time: 00:18
Musgrave Roadhouse to Glen Garland
Driving: 28.15 km
Heading: 253°
Avg Speed: 27.7 km/hr
EST Time: 01:00:58
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.05 km time: 00:08
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Peninsula Developmental Road for: 0.32 km time: 00:16
  • Turn right. for: 27.78 km time: 01:00:34
Glen Garland to Opera Hill
Driving: 12.32 km
Heading: 265°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 29:34
  • Drive west. for: 12.32 km time: 29:34
Opera Hill to Musgrave Strathgordon Rd & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk
Driving: 167.12 km
Heading: 269°
Avg Speed: 30.36 km/hr
EST Time: 05:30:16
  • Drive west on Strathgordon Road. for: 33.65 km time: 01:15:29
  • Keep right to stay on Strathgordon Road. for: 133.47 km time: 04:14:50
Musgrave Strathgordon Rd & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk to Alice River & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk
Driving: 74 km
Heading: 147°
Avg Speed: 25.54 km/hr
EST Time: 02:53:50
  • Drive southeast. for: 74 km time: 02:53:52
Alice River & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk to Mitchell River, Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk
Driving: 11.19 km
Heading: 282°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 26:51
  • Drive southwest. for: 11.19 km time: 26:51
Mitchell River, Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk to Kowanyama
Driving: 30.65 km
Heading: 243°
Avg Speed: 37.72 km/hr
EST Time: 48:45
  • Drive northwest. for: 28.5 km time: 45:23
  • Bear left onto Chapman Road. for: 1.94 km time: 02:55
  • Turn left onto Gilbert White Street. for: 0.17 km time: 00:20
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Chellikee Street for: 0.04 km time: 00:06
Kowanyama to Burkes Lagoon
Driving: 94.71 km
Heading: 132°
Avg Speed: 26.61 km/hr
EST Time: 03:33:33
  • Drive south on Chellikee Street. for: 94.71 km time: 03:33:31
Burkes Lagoon to Burke Dev Road & Kowanyama Rd
Driving: 6.55 km
Heading: 127°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 15:43
  • Drive southeast on Kowanyama Road. for: 6.27 km time: 15:03
  • Keep left to stay on Kowanyama Road. for: 0.28 km time: 00:41
Burke Dev Road & Kowanyama Rd to Staaten River, Burke Dev Road
Driving: 71.63 km
Heading: 212°
Avg Speed: 30.13 km/hr
EST Time: 02:22:38
  • Drive west on Kowanyama Road. for: 0.28 km time: 00:41
  • Make a sharp left onto Dunbar Kowanyama Road. for: 71.35 km time: 02:21:58
Staaten River, Burke Dev Road to Wyaaba Creek, Burke Dev Road
Driving: 23.1 km
Heading: 213°
Avg Speed: 30.03 km/hr
EST Time: 46:09
  • Drive south on Burke Developmental Road. for: 23.1 km time: 46:09
Wyaaba Creek, Burke Dev Road to Gilbert River, Burke Dev Road
Driving: 63.12 km
Heading: 200°
Avg Speed: 30.18 km/hr
EST Time: 02:05:29
  • Drive southwest on Burke Developmental Road. for: 63.12 km time: 02:05:28
Gilbert River, Burke Dev Road to Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd
Driving: 72.76 km
Heading: 242°
Avg Speed: 32.95 km/hr
EST Time: 02:12:29
  • Drive south on Burke Developmental Road. for: 72.76 km time: 02:12:29
Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd to Maggieville
Driving: 1.78 km
Heading: 308°
Avg Speed: 56.27 km/hr
EST Time: 01:53
  • Drive northeast on Burke Developmental Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
  • Turn left to take the ramp. for: 0.08 km time: 00:12
  • Bear right to stay on Karumba Road. for: 1.69 km time: 01:42
Maggieville to Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd
Driving: 34.65 km
Heading: 269°
Avg Speed: 59.81 km/hr
EST Time: 34:45
  • Drive west on Karumba Road. for: 34.58 km time: 34:35
  • Turn right onto Col Kitching Drive. for: 0.06 km time: 00:10
Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd to Karumba
Driving: 4.67 km
Heading: 213°
Avg Speed: 52.75 km/hr
EST Time: 05:18
  • Drive southeast on Col Kitching Drive. for: 0.06 km time: 00:04
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Lloyd Clarke Way for: 3.61 km time: 03:23
  • Turn right onto Walker Street. for: 0.47 km time: 00:44
  • Turn left onto Clarina Street. for: 0.48 km time: 00:52
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Clarina Street for: 0.05 km time: 00:16
Karumba to Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd
Driving: 4.67 km
Heading: 33°
Avg Speed: 54.16 km/hr
EST Time: 05:10
  • Drive northeast on Clarina Street. for: 0.05 km time: 00:16
  • Turn right to stay on Clarina Street. for: 0.48 km time: 00:51
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Walker Street for: 0.47 km time: 00:43
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Lloyd Clarke Way for: 3.61 km time: 03:15
  • Turn left onto Col Kitching Drive. for: 0.06 km time: 00:06
Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd to Maggieville
Driving: 34.65 km
Heading: 89°
Avg Speed: 59.92 km/hr
EST Time: 34:41
  • Drive southeast on Col Kitching Drive. for: 0.06 km time: 00:04
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Lloyd Clarke Way for: 34.58 km time: 34:37
Maggieville to Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd
Driving: 1.93 km
Heading: 128°
Avg Speed: 56.44 km/hr
EST Time: 02:03
  • Drive east on Karumba Road. for: 1.82 km time: 01:49
  • Make a sharp left onto Burke Developmental Road. for: 0.1 km time: 00:13
Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd to Stake Hole
Driving: 7.74 km
Heading: 197°
Avg Speed: 87.08 km/hr
EST Time: 05:19
  • Drive southwest on Burke Developmental Road. for: 7.74 km time: 05:20
Stake Hole to Norman River, Burke Dev Road
Driving: 20.9 km
Heading: 207°
Avg Speed: 93.85 km/hr
EST Time: 13:21
  • Drive south on Burke Developmental Road. for: 20.9 km time: 13:22
Norman River, Burke Dev Road to Normanton
Driving: 1.63 km
Heading: 239°
Avg Speed: 36.41 km/hr
EST Time: 02:41
  • Drive southwest on Burke Developmental Road. for: 1.45 km time: 01:59
  • Turn left onto Brodie Street. for: 0.09 km time: 00:16
  • Make a right U-turn at Brodie Street to stay on Brodie Street. for: 0.09 km time: 00:26
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

No Places To See available for this trek

Facilities

Where to Stay

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Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

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