I am consdering driving to the above region in ther near future. Currently (June 2026) everywhere out there is flooded, so the trip is not on.
But when the roads are opened, what is the condition of the road surface? I have a Subaru Forester which has a space saver spare wheel and nice soft walled tyres. I am considering buying a full set of AT tyres (best option), or a new tyre to match the existing ones on the car (cheaper option). A few years back, I drove to Quilpie (in a 4WD with AT tyres) and the road surface was OK. Are the roads further West much the same?
Thanks in advance for useful comments.
msg said
12:03 PM Jun 25, 2026
The roads are excellent. Tar all the way. Some are single lane. Just stop and give the whole road to large vehicles. Your windscreen will thank you for it.
Be very mindful of kangaroos they are awake all day. The wedgies are partial to fresh roast roo for lunch and are usually too full to get out of your way.
After Windorah, if heading to Birdsville? Mostly stoney gravel but good, some sand, and intermittent tar. Be prepared for a shake up and a flat tire. Tire repair shop in Birdsville is the busiest in Australia.
-- Edited by msg on Thursday 25th of June 2026 12:05:06 PM
msg said
12:08 PM Jun 25, 2026
BTW. I am surprised it is still flooded out there.
Whenarewethere said
05:21 PM Jun 25, 2026
Sorry to come out of left wing, but there is a thread topic purposely called road conditions, I feel it would be be better that road related issues would help everyone if concentrated under the one umbrella.... or in the one pothole so to speak!
erad said
09:44 PM Jun 25, 2026
Thanks for your replies. A LOT of searching, "road surfaces in outback Qld". I found what I was after. The site I found said the roads were 'sealed', but I wonder if this means a single strip of tar, or the regular dual lane width (hopefully the latter). If there is any doubt, I will slow down and get out of the way of oncoming trucks. I am leaning to buying a spare 'road' tyre to match what is on the car rather than a full set of AT tyres.
msg said
12:33 PM Jun 26, 2026
Bit of both. But no Problems. Just don't go tearing down the road, last time I went carcasses were allover the place and particularly in the middle of the road at the most inconvenient of places.
Geeco said
11:09 AM Jul 3, 2026
I have not been out that way since 2022. The roads were generally pretty good with a bitumen strip down the centre of a very wide roadway. I suspect that way to assist with roo/emu spotting. The dinasaur centre at Eromanga was very impressive. There is even a small oil refinery in the town. I use Google maps street view to check if road surface is dirt or bitumen.
I am consdering driving to the above region in ther near future. Currently (June 2026) everywhere out there is flooded, so the trip is not on.
But when the roads are opened, what is the condition of the road surface? I have a Subaru Forester which has a space saver spare wheel and nice soft walled tyres. I am considering buying a full set of AT tyres (best option), or a new tyre to match the existing ones on the car (cheaper option). A few years back, I drove to Quilpie (in a 4WD with AT tyres) and the road surface was OK. Are the roads further West much the same?
Thanks in advance for useful comments.
The roads are excellent. Tar all the way. Some are single lane. Just stop and give the whole road to large vehicles. Your windscreen will thank you for it.
Be very mindful of kangaroos they are awake all day. The wedgies are partial to fresh roast roo for lunch and are usually too full to get out of your way.
After Windorah, if heading to Birdsville? Mostly stoney gravel but good, some sand, and intermittent tar. Be prepared for a shake up and a flat tire. Tire repair shop in Birdsville is the busiest in Australia.
-- Edited by msg on Thursday 25th of June 2026 12:05:06 PM
Sorry to come out of left wing, but there is a thread topic purposely called road conditions, I feel it would be be better that road related issues would help everyone if concentrated under the one umbrella.... or in the one pothole so to speak!