Alice Springs to Cape York, which Route ?

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 01, 2015 at 22:30
ThreadID: 111291 Views:2796 Replies:3 FollowUps:4
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G`day all,

I am looking at optional routes from Alice Springs to Cape York, (I think I might go fishing for a few weeks after the Ross River Gathering).

I would like to know the road condition of ….
1- The Plenty Hwy,
2- The Donohue Hwy,
3- The Kennedy Development Road between Hughenden and The Lynd Junction.

Would it be quicker to go via the Three Ways and the Barkly and Flinders Highways to Hughenden on the sealed road even though it’s about 260 klm further?

I realise some of this info will be available from those tagging along with Sir Kev to the Gathering via the dirt roads when/if they get there, however I need to make plans that will tie in with other travellers before then. ((:>) )

Thanks,

Scrubby.
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Reply By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 05:31

Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 05:31
Via the Plenty and follow the "Longest short Cut". Good roads, we went that way last year with the van.
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Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 16:59

Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 16:59
Thanks Tony,I will be dragging an "off Road boat trailer" so it`s good to hear you did it with a van.

Scrubby.
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 10:49

Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 10:49
Scrubby,

What route probably depends on how quickly you want to get there?

While the bitumen, Stuart/Barkly, is further, it will be much quicker, but probably not as interesting as Alice to Winton, then up to Hughenden.

Haven't been on the Plenty/Donohue for over 3 years, but they shouldn't be too bad. Recent damage to Plenty would have been repaired by now, and I know there is extra bitumen on Donohue, and believe they are still upgrading it at the moment.Boulia - Winton is all bitumen, albeit mostly single lane, but you traverse some great scenery that way.

Hughenden - The Lynd has had a lot of work done on it over the past 5 years or so. Read somewhere the other day that there is only about 50-60 kms of gravel left on that section, so would be much better now. It's a good drive too, gradually climbing all the way till you get to Ravenshoe. Being Qld's highest town, it gets a bit cool there in the winter. Nice town too.

There's running water at Lyndhurst, on Einasleigh River, as well as one creek a bit further on. Make sure you stop at The Lynd, they've got the smallest bar in Australia!!!

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 18:04

Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 18:04
Thanks Bob, I have never done the Plenty etc etc to Hughenden and it`s 51 years since I last traveled the Barkly/Flinders to Hughenden.

6 years ago I did the Savannah Way west to east to Normanton then The Lynd and Ravenshoe and on to Cairns.

Thanks again for the good info, all going well I will get to the Gathering and then on to meet the mates at Weipa by the 14th July.

Scrubby.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 23:03

Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 23:03
No worries, Scrubby.

I meant to mention the Sandover too, but if you haven't been across the Plenty, then I won't try to send you up the Sandover. The picture below shows the only "scenery" along that route, though it does have other charms.



We went over the Plenty in 2011, and back up the Sandover, to go to the Drovers' Festival in Camooweal. The Plenty seems to be constantly changing, and we found the road in reasonable order. The only bad corrugations were past Harts Range, and a few bad wheel tracks near the Georgina River.

If you go that way, make sure you have a look at the Min Min Centre in Boulia. They don't make a bad coffee either.

Bob



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Reply By: Member - DingoBlue(WA) - Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 17:22

Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 17:22
Hi Scrubby,
Travelled to Cape York last year from Perth via Great Central Road to Alice and then via the Sandover Highway to Camooweal, Lorne Hill National Park (a must see), Burketown, Normanton, Karumba and then on to Laura and up to the top.
We travelled in June/July and the Sandover was just beginning to show signs of bulldust holes but was generally pretty good.
We were towing a Camper Trailer and encountered no problems with the roads.
Be aware that fuel may or may not be available at Arlpara (don't count on it!)
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Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 18:12

Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 18:12
G`day DingoBlue,
It`s good to hear from you, thanks for the info, I havn`t looked at the fuel situation yet, my tanks get me about 1100 klm.

Scrubby.
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