Valerie & I are hoping to take a extended trip up the centre turning right at Threeways and head for Mt Isa, then via Cloncurry to Normington & the Gulf Country and then head across to the Atherton Table lands then north to Cooktown and after return via the east coast (not the Bloomfield track) and catch up with family and friends in Rocky, Maryborough, Nanango and probably follow the Murray back to Adelaide.
Our Tug is a Mitsubishi Pajero towing a Jayco Heritage 19" twin axle, we have been to Mt Isa before and Threeways and also to far northern Queensland, so the only parts of the trip that would be totally unfamillia would be Threeways - Mt Isa, Mt Isa - Normington - Gulf country - Atherton and Mt Molly - Cooktown.
As I am a bit of a planner I would love to hear from folks who have covered those areas in a caravan/ 4wd combo and learn from their experiences, also would love to hear about great places to stay and things one must do when in these areas.
Look forward to hearing from you all.
Dave & Val
jetj said
07:28 AM Jan 15, 2013
Hi Dave,
It sounds like a great trip. I haven't see any of it but one day. I hope you have a great time.
Wizardofoz said
07:03 PM Jan 15, 2013
I am doing a similar trip in late May to July, from Sydney up through the inland to St.George and onto Karumba for 8 days, then over to Atherton and back via Port Doglas and Cairns through to home in Sydney.
So I am intersted in the replies also.
golivers travels said
08:26 PM Jan 15, 2013
Great trip Dave. Have done similar trips before. This year we are heading up through western NSW and QLD then across the Atherton, Cooktown and Cairns. Gregory Downs and Lawn Hill are worth a stop as well. Cheers Glenda
aussietraveller said
01:07 AM Jan 16, 2013
The beat caravan park in Cooktown is the Big 4 and is reasonably priced with new managers, as far as visiting Cooktown we spent 3 days and that was long enough to see the sights and it is always very windy in Cooktown.
The Bloomfield track is not suitable for Caravans but we took our Pajero along the full length and it is one of the memorable parts of the holiday especially the southern part of the Bloomfield. first picture taken on Bloomfield track
The distance between Mareeba and Atherton is about 30klm and half way between is Walkamin with a terrific Caravan Park about $20 per night and is a good location for exploring the area we spent two weeks there and probably should have spent longer as there is a lot to see and also a great place for a rest. photo2 caravan park
Thanks for the photo,s and info on the Caravan Park your rig is a very familliar set-up. Might also have a drive down track also what a good idea and just take the Paj.
Thanks again,
Dave & Val
wendyv said
04:07 AM Jan 16, 2013
Three Ways to Mt Isa is a normal bitumen road. Should be fine unless there are really heavy rains later in the season that cause some damage. Even so, anything like that is generally quickly repaired. Fill up with fuel at Tennant Creek or Three Ways. You may need to top up fuel at Barkly Roadhouse - which will be very expensive. Fuel available at Camooweal. There are some free camping spots across the Barkly, and a roadhouse caravan park at Barkly Roadhouse. There is a free camp area at lagoon near Camooweal that sounds nice, but I haven't used it. Several caravan parks in Mt Isa. Might be an idea to book ahead, when you know times, as mining activity has put pressure on caravan parks. Highway from Isa to Cloncurry fine. We have found the CP at Cloncurry to be fine. (Gilbert Park) From Cloncurry to Normanton is bitumen, alternating between just a single lane strip and normal 2 lane road - these regular wider sections, in theory, allow traffic to pull over to allow oncoming traffic, especially trucks, to go past. Fuel up at Isa, top up at Cloncurry, then you should make Normanton ok. There is fuel at Burke and Wills RH if needed. Whilst in that area, so some research and consider detouring to visit Lawn Hill Gorge/Adels Grove - well worth a visit, even though it would mean some backtracking. If you intend to visit Karumba - and it would be a shame not to, since you are so close - and want to stay in a caravan park, you must book ahead as soon as you know when you will be there. Very busy in the Dry Season. Some people do day trip/s from Normanton. Recommend Bedrock Village CP at Mt Surprise, as a base to explore around that area. Great CP. They run good day trips to Undara lava tubes; maybe also to Cobbold Gorge. They have a day trip based on a segment on the train.
jules47 said
05:52 AM Jan 16, 2013
I think most are surmising you are caravan parking it - or are you free camping? Near Mt Isa you can stay at the old township of Mary Kathleen - no facilities - but a very interesting place to take a walk around - we camped on the old tennis courts. It is halfway between Mt Isa and Cloncurry.
Get yourself a copy of Camps Australia Wide #7, which will be out in February sometime - if you haven't already got one - best value going.
Sounds like a great trip - when in Mr Surprise, go on a fossicking tour with Mt Surprise Gems - they take you out (usually tag along), provide all equipment, give you some instruction on how to dig for topaz etc - we did the tour a few years ago and found a "huge" aquamarine - got three really good sized stones cut out of it!!
dave0591 said
04:57 PM Jan 16, 2013
Thanks Wendy,
All the info is going in my trip book.
Dave & Valerie
dave0591 said
05:02 PM Jan 16, 2013
Thanks Julie,
We freedom camp a fair bit, our van is self contained I have even installed a grey water catchment tank so we comply with all the rules now, so thank you for the free camp site info.
With the price of fuel & caravan parks these days you have to free camp to be able to do the extended trips, thanks again for you input.
Dave & Valerie
clazandaza said
02:30 AM Jan 17, 2013
Most of the areas have been covered in other replys but as a old resident of the area I might be able to add my two bobs' worth. Depending on how far you like to travel per day (my 1000klms days are over) the Barklay Homestead has a nice little caravan park out the back. Fuel is very dear but thats what happens in remote areas. Mt Isa can be booked out or nearly so much of the year due to mining boom etc. If you are passing through anywhere near the rodeo during August you can forget about getting a site anywhere in town. For free camping there is Fountain Springs roadside stop about halfway between Isa and Cloncurry. This can also be well patronised during peak times. As has been said before it is all sealed road to Cairns via Normanton. I dont know if all the highway to Normanton has been widened in recent times but please, please if you encounter any of the skinny sections and a B Triple is headed your way, get off the road and let him have it. The end wagon on those things can get up a whip of a couple of metres. Makes short work of caravans. I was a copper in Isa for many years and every year some poor old soles would report to the station that 'the truck wouldn't pull over for us and clipped our van'.
It is a trip to be recommended however and I must visit there again myself one day..................in winter.
Ian
dave0591 said
04:22 AM Jan 17, 2013
Ian,
Thank you for your two bob's worth, I found your information very interesting, especially local information about travel timing in areas when annual event are on all help with the planning.
Thanks
Dave & Val
jules47 said
03:44 AM Jan 18, 2013
Halfway between Normanton and Karumba there is a free camp called Walkers Creek - right hand side, just over a little bridge - no facilties, but a pretty big area, no limits - if you are staying there, go for a walk up the creek, little freshies jumping off the bank, and families of pigs as well!!
There is a hot shower at the dump point in Karumba - free!!!!
dave0591 said
04:53 AM Jan 18, 2013
Wendy,
Thanks for the camps and hot shower info, I am not sure at this stage about the salties & the ferral pigs though!
Dave & Val
Yesterday is History, tomorrow is a Mistery, so make the most of todays GIFT.
UUUGGGHHHHH - don't like bees at all - they take my breath away - I am allergic, and swell up if stung!!! Lovely photo though, but do you think you could resize your pics - takes the whole page, and we have to scroll across to read the text - sorry to be a bit pedantic - and the pigs run away from you, as do the little freshies!!
Hi Fello Nomads,
Valerie & I are hoping to take a extended trip up the centre turning right at Threeways and head for Mt Isa, then via Cloncurry to Normington & the Gulf Country and then head across to the Atherton Table lands then north to Cooktown and after return via the east coast (not the Bloomfield track) and catch up with family and friends in Rocky, Maryborough, Nanango and probably follow the Murray back to Adelaide.
Our Tug is a Mitsubishi Pajero towing a Jayco Heritage 19" twin axle, we have been to Mt Isa before and Threeways and also to far northern Queensland, so the only parts of the trip that would be totally unfamillia would be Threeways - Mt Isa, Mt Isa - Normington - Gulf country - Atherton and Mt Molly - Cooktown.
As I am a bit of a planner I would love to hear from folks who have covered those areas in a caravan/ 4wd combo and learn from their experiences, also would love to hear about great places to stay and things one must do when in these areas.
Look forward to hearing from you all.
Dave & Val
Hi Dave,
It sounds like a great trip. I haven't see any of it but one day. I hope you have a great time.
I am doing a similar trip in late May to July, from Sydney up through the inland to St.George and onto Karumba for 8 days, then over to Atherton and back via Port Doglas and Cairns through to home in Sydney.
So I am intersted in the replies also.
The Bloomfield track is not suitable for Caravans but we took our Pajero along the full length and it is one of the memorable parts of the holiday especially the southern part of the Bloomfield. first picture taken on Bloomfield track
The distance between Mareeba and Atherton is about 30klm and half way between is Walkamin with a terrific Caravan Park about $20 per night and is a good location for exploring the area we spent two weeks there and probably should have spent longer as there is a lot to see and also a great place for a rest. photo2 caravan park
hope this helps a bit.
Auzzie Traveller,
Thanks for the photo,s and info on the Caravan Park your rig is a very familliar set-up. Might also have a drive down track also what a good idea and just take the Paj.
Thanks again,
Dave & Val
Several caravan parks in Mt Isa. Might be an idea to book ahead, when you know times, as mining activity has put pressure on caravan parks.
Highway from Isa to Cloncurry fine. We have found the CP at Cloncurry to be fine. (Gilbert Park)
From Cloncurry to Normanton is bitumen, alternating between just a single lane strip and normal 2 lane road - these regular wider sections, in theory, allow traffic to pull over to allow oncoming traffic, especially trucks, to go past. Fuel up at Isa, top up at Cloncurry, then you should make Normanton ok. There is fuel at Burke and Wills RH if needed.
Whilst in that area, so some research and consider detouring to visit Lawn Hill Gorge/Adels Grove - well worth a visit, even though it would mean some backtracking.
If you intend to visit Karumba - and it would be a shame not to, since you are so close - and want to stay in a caravan park, you must book ahead as soon as you know when you will be there. Very busy in the Dry Season. Some people do day trip/s from Normanton.
Recommend Bedrock Village CP at Mt Surprise, as a base to explore around that area. Great CP. They run good day trips to Undara lava tubes; maybe also to Cobbold Gorge. They have a day trip based on a segment on the train.
Get yourself a copy of Camps Australia Wide #7, which will be out in February sometime - if you haven't already got one - best value going.
Sounds like a great trip - when in Mr Surprise, go on a fossicking tour with Mt Surprise Gems - they take you out (usually tag along), provide all equipment, give you some instruction on how to dig for topaz etc - we did the tour a few years ago and found a "huge" aquamarine - got three really good sized stones cut out of it!!
Thanks Wendy,
All the info is going in my trip book.
Dave & Valerie
Thanks Julie,
We freedom camp a fair bit, our van is self contained I have even installed a grey water catchment tank so we comply with all the rules now, so thank you for the free camp site info.
With the price of fuel & caravan parks these days you have to free camp to be able to do the extended trips, thanks again for you input.
Dave & Valerie
Most of the areas have been covered in other replys but as a old resident of the area I might be able to add my two bobs' worth. Depending on how far you like to travel per day (my 1000klms days are over) the Barklay Homestead has a nice little caravan park out the back. Fuel is very dear but thats what happens in remote areas. Mt Isa can be booked out or nearly so much of the year due to mining boom etc. If you are passing through anywhere near the rodeo during August you can forget about getting a site anywhere in town. For free camping there is Fountain Springs roadside stop about halfway between Isa and Cloncurry. This can also be well patronised during peak times. As has been said before it is all sealed road to Cairns via Normanton. I dont know if all the highway to Normanton has been widened in recent times but please, please if you encounter any of the skinny sections and a B Triple is headed your way, get off the road and let him have it. The end wagon on those things can get up a whip of a couple of metres. Makes short work of caravans. I was a copper in Isa for many years and every year some poor old soles would report to the station that 'the truck wouldn't pull over for us and clipped our van'.
It is a trip to be recommended however and I must visit there again myself one day..................in winter.
Ian
Ian,
Thank you for your two bob's worth, I found your information very interesting, especially local information about travel timing in areas when annual event are on all help with the planning.
Thanks
Dave & Val
There is a hot shower at the dump point in Karumba - free!!!!
Wendy,
Thanks for the camps and hot shower info, I am not sure at this stage about the salties & the ferral pigs though!
Dave & Val
Yesterday is History, tomorrow is a Mistery, so make the most of todays GIFT.
Love Bumble Bee's