we just two days ago, we left Innisfail and came up the Palmerston highway with a 4.8lt patrol and 22ft. Van.
we started just after 8am in morning and the traffic was light, the first section was upwards but only a slight climb and was moving along easy, we did catch a car pulling a horse float and it was pumping out the black smoke so we just settled back a bit and followed the road it was good heading up but the downside was more potholed from the Easter break, we had light rain for the whole trip up including fog near the top. The 3 sections that were very steep got us down to a slower speed with our friend in front so I could not go at any pace, as we travelled along I pulled over to allow others to pass when I could, not many overtaking spots and road has a little verge so not many place to get off, they waved and let us know they were glad I let them pass only for them to get stuck behind the float ahead who was not getting out any body's way. There are a couple of spots were you go down at 5 to 10 deg best to stay under 70 km here as road was slippery in places.
after near 1.5 hrs we reached the top of range and it leveked off and we made it into our stop just outside Atherton around 10am
Then I was able to take a breath as we made it without issue.
Hope this helps those who wonder about this climb
Dunmowin said
09:07 PM Apr 24, 2017
We travelled ditto today, from Paronella Park to Ravenshoe today. Rained most of the trip up and fog the higher we climbed. Know what you mean about the pot holes, had to dip and dive when safe to avoid. Luckily for us, no horse float.
4.2lt Patrol, 22ft van
Henry1 said
07:32 PM Jun 15, 2017
We are going to Innisfail from Atherton tomorrow and am looking for the easiest road I thought the Palmeston might be the 1 but I am not so sure anymore after reading your post. Would youtake the same road again or go via Cairns.
Daveo85 said
08:22 PM Jun 15, 2017
We went down to Innisfail about a week ago, they where doing road works and fixing the road it is by far the best way to go as we have now been up or down all three ways and once we leave it will via the Palmserston
we just two days ago, we left Innisfail and came up the Palmerston highway with a 4.8lt patrol and 22ft. Van.
we started just after 8am in morning and the traffic was light, the first section was upwards but only a slight climb and was moving along easy, we did catch a car pulling a horse float and it was pumping out the black smoke so we just settled back a bit and followed the road it was good heading up but the downside was more potholed from the Easter break, we had light rain for the whole trip up including fog near the top. The 3 sections that were very steep got us down to a slower speed with our friend in front so I could not go at any pace, as we travelled along I pulled over to allow others to pass when I could, not many overtaking spots and road has a little verge so not many place to get off, they waved and let us know they were glad I let them pass only for them to get stuck behind the float ahead who was not getting out any body's way. There are a couple of spots were you go down at 5 to 10 deg best to stay under 70 km here as road was slippery in places.
after near 1.5 hrs we reached the top of range and it leveked off and we made it into our stop just outside Atherton around 10am
Then I was able to take a breath as we made it without issue.
Hope this helps those who wonder about this climb
We travelled ditto today, from Paronella Park to Ravenshoe today. Rained most of the trip up and fog the higher we climbed. Know what you mean about the pot holes, had to dip and dive when safe to avoid. Luckily for us, no horse float.
4.2lt Patrol, 22ft van
We are going to Innisfail from Atherton tomorrow and am looking for the easiest road I thought the Palmeston might be the 1 but I am not so sure anymore after reading your post. Would youtake the same road again or go via Cairns.
Enjoy