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)
Queensland Government - Traffic and Travel Informaiton -for up to date information on road conditions and closures, ph: 13 19 40, or check out their web site at: http://131940.qld.gov.au/Home.aspx
Queensland Government - Environment & Resource Management - check on national park alerts & closures in Queensland at http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/park_alerts/index.php#northqueensland
Camping within Cape York National Parks - new policies - e-permits need to camp
QPWS has also issued information on new policies relating to camping in Cape York National Parks. From February 2012, all camping in National Park and resource reserve camping areas on Cape York Peninsula will need to be pre-booked. Campers will need to purchase an e-permit before arriving at the camping area. This change to camping bookings ensures e-permit holders of a camp site upon their arrival at the camping area. From February 2012, self-registration will no longer be available To obtain an e-permit, you can: book online at www.qld.gov.au/camping phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) visit a DERM business centre or authorised booking agent.Note: Lakefield NP is now know as Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park.
New Park on Cape York
A new 42,500h, the Alwal National Park has been created out of the once 80,000ha Kalinga station that adjoined the SW corner of Lakefield NP. The rest of the property is a declared traditional Aboriginal Reserve, which also includes another 2,700ha nature reserve.
Cape York is now one of the most heavily protected regions of Australia, with 20 per cent of its area now listed as national park, traditional reserve, or designated under Queensland's controversial Wild Rivers law. Alwal joins Lama Lama, Kulla, Errk Oykangand and Marpa national parks, all listed since 2008.Thargomindah Channel Country Challenge
This is the fifth year of the Channel Country Challenge at Thargomindah and every year the event grows from strength to strength. It kicks off on Thursday 31st March, there is a Claypan Boogie under the stars on Friday night followed by one of the best outback rodeos around on Saturday night. Sunday is all of the finals for the Challenge and the campdrafts. For more details contact the local visitor centre, ph: (07) 4655 3399.
Barra Fishing & Free Camping
This popular annual fishing event, which is conducted out of Burketown, in Queensland’s Gulf Country is being run over the weekend, from April 8th this year. There’s over $7500 in prize money, with $2600 for the heaviest single catch. For more details contact the Burke Shire, ph: (07) 4745 5111. The council also allows free camping down along the river, but you may prefer the caravan park, ph: (07) 4745 5118.
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.
Fantastic Rock Art Tour
It would have to be one of the best rock art tours in the country. Willie Gordon’s Guurrbi Tours offers a choice of rock art tours from Cooktown. For more details check out www.guurrbitours.com or ph: (07) 4069 6259.
Weipa Auto - RACQ
Weipa Auto in Iraci Ave, Weipa, now takes care of the RACQ in both Weipa and COEN, running two trucks. They cover from Bramwell Roadhouse right down to Laura and have been operating on Cape York for 5 years now. In Weipa they have a fully equipped workshop and cover all aspects of automotive and diesel servicing, mechanical repairs and engineering, diesel fitting and auto electrics. If you want more details on them and the services they provide check out their web site at:
http://www.weipaauto.com.au/index.html
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)