Discover
all you need to know to experience an outback adventure holiday - four wheel
driving, camping, accommodation, facilities, services, and much more.
TRAVELLERS UPDATE - TOURING AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND
Keep a check on road and track closures and conditions by looking at the following website:
RACQ Queensland - Road Information & Conditons (go into 'Site Map' and then select 'Benefits & Discounts' and then Road conditions: then select the region you want)
Palmerville Track open
Cook Shire has let us know that the track to the Maytown historic townsite and the Palmer River goldfields from the west, via Palmerville, has been re-opened. This route was closed by a disgruntled property owner but has now been taken over by the state government and is a public thoroughfare.
Weipa Fishing Classic
The 2010 Weipa Fishing Classic will be held on Friday 11th - Sunday 13th June and this will attract a heap of locals, as well as a large contingent of visiting sport fishers and 4-wheel drive tourists from all over the country. First price this year is a Horizon Stalker 440 boat, motor and trailer combo worth nearly 30 grand! For more details visit: www.weipafishingclassic.com.
Somerset Upgrades
Visitors to the top of Cape York and the very pleasant bush camp at Somerset will now find new loos and a shelter shed here situated just back from the beach.
Top Tropic Stay
Located about 5km NE of Mt Molloy, Wetherby Station provides cabin accommodation and a selection of camping sites along the Little Mitchell River, Rifle Creek or in nearby bushland. There’s plenty on offer here including bird watching, bush walking, mountain biking, cycling, horse riding and 4wdriving on the station roads and fire tracks. For more info, Ph: (07) 4094 1125; www.wetherbystation.com
Flat Creek Station - Qld
This property, 45km south of Georgetown, offers a bushcamp, and homestay accommodation. There’s fossicking, fishing, bird watching also available on this beef grazing property. For more info, ph: (07) 4062 5304.
http://www.flatcreekstation.com/
Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve
This private wildlife reserve near the top of Cape York is owned by Australia Zoo and was once the historic Bertiehaugh property established by Frank Jardine. Public access is now 'prohibited for any purpose'. You can learn more about the reserve by checking out the website at: http://www.savestevesplace.com/
Windermere Station - Qld
This property 15km south of Winton has established a tourist park and offers camping and powered sites for the passing traveller; ph: (07) 4657 0359 for more details, or check out their website at: http://www.windermerestation.com.au/.
Nardoo Station
Stays Located on the Matilda Highway, 38km north of Cunnamulla, is Nardoo Station. This 45,000ha property has opened its doors to travellers and there’s a range of accommodation along with powered and unpowered camping sites. You can entertain yourself with a self-drive tour, join in the station activities and then relax in one of the property’s artesian spas. For more details, ph: (07) 4655 4833, www.nardoo.com.au.
Myella Station Accommodation
The 2600 acre cattle property of Myella Station is 125km south-west of Rockhampton, with the town of Baralaba being the closest to it. They offer accommodation in the ‘Homestead’ and you join the family for all meals. There’s a host of activities including horse riding and 4WD tours. For details, ph: (07) 4998 1290, www.myella.com.
Alkoomie Station
Just outside Cooktown on the crest of Mt Dickson is Alkoomie homestead, the working luxurious heart of the 18,000ha cattle property. The property has a range of accommodation as well as station activities and tours.
For more details ph: (07) 4069 5463 or check the web at: www.alkoomie.com.au.
Cultural Camp
Experience life in the great outdoors through the eyes of a local indigenous community at the new Echo Adventure and Cultural Camp near Tully, two hours drive from Cairns. There’s a range of indigenous, cultural and adventure experiences including bird watching, swimming, canoeing trips, river walks, abseiling and rafting. Accommodation is available in the Jackaroo Quarters or in the rainforest camp grounds. For more details ph: (0428) 264 494 or visit: www.echoadventure.com.au.
WW2 Underground Hospital - Mt Isa
During the dark days of WW2 the north of Australia was under threat of invasion by Japanese forces. Now a long lost gem of those days has been opened to the public - the Mount Isa Underground Hospital and Museum. The old underground hospital has been made into a museum recreating those times so when you are in the outback city of Mt Isa drop in and check it out.
For more info visit: www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/mount-isa-underground-hospital-and-museum/index.cfm.
Outback Events
Saddle up for the Harry Redford Cattle Drive which sets off from Aramac around mid-May through June. This three week trip will take you along the Redford Trail; for more details go to: www.harryredford.com.au
Later in the year in early October you can try your hand and see how good a bush cook you are at the Australian Camp Oven Festival in Millmerran. For details go to: www.australiancampovenfestival.com.au.
There's a host of other ideas and events for the happy traveller heading to the Sunshine state; check out www.queenslandevents.com.au.
Carnarvon Camping
Bush Heritage Australia owns a 59,000ha block of land adjoining the fantastic Carnarvon National Park. You can camp here between April and November and access is restricted to no more than four 4WD vehicles at any one time and you must be totally self sufficient. Or, why not join one of their field trips or working bees. For more info go to: www.bushheritage.org.au.
Discover Guide
Queensland's outback has a great new guidebook that covers the area from the border north to Camooweal and Richmond and west from Cunnamulla to the Simpson Desert. Produced by the Queensland Museum the 350-page full colour book is rich in natural and historic detail, which makes interesting reading and every journey an epic in discovering new and exciting things. The Discover Guide to Outback Queensland is available from all good mapshops for about $33.
Fishing out of Weipa
There are few places that can equal Weipa and the surrounding area for exciting action packed fishing. To get into the fish why not hire a houseboat - Weipa Houseboats, ph: (07) 4069 7469 Web: www.weipahouseboats.com.
Or if you really want to get away from it all why not Aurukun Fishing Charters who fish the mouth of the pristine Archer River – ph: (0407) 575 618, web: www.aurukunfishingcharters.com.
Cape York Alochol Restrictions (see Updates to our Cape York Guidebook)
Skardon River Coast Open (see Updates to our Cape York Guidebook)