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Burke Developmental Road
This trek heads inland through the Athertons toward Chillagoe along the bulldust track called the Burke Developmental Road in the lower region of the Cape York Peninsula. Passing Staaten River NP, Mitchell and Alice NP and Dorunda on-route to the Gulf.

This trek is located in the Far North Qld region.

Start Finish Distance Min Days Rating
Cairns Karumba 760 3 Trek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for details
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» Preparation
    Fuel Information, Best Time to Visit
    Permits, Supplies/Facilities
» Things to See & Do
» Driving Notes
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Researched By ExplorOz - Michelle Jacka   Latest Update 09 May 2007

 Description


Mud Map

This trek heads west of Cairns through Mareeba and Chillagoe towards the Gulf of Carpentaria. There are a few routes that travellers generally follow, but we take the Bourke Developmental Road, skirting the northern fringe of Straaten River NP and approach Karumba from the north. This entire route is through bulldust country and there are few facilities or supplies.

A few homesteads and stations now open their doors to tourists and allow camping, fishing and recreational 4WD on their properties for a small fee.

Interesting diversions could made into the Kowanyama Aboriginal Reserve, The Mitchell and Alice Riverside National Parks or into the Palmerville goldfield ruins via Wrotham Park HS.

It is possible to travel to Karumba in 2 days however that would be missing the point in our opinion. Although this barren country appears to be monotonous there are in fact many interesting things to see and do along the way. If you take the time to talk to the locals you might even make a few new friends. North West Queensland once supported the cattle cocky farmer and his family but now with droughts, recessions and a falling export dollar Australians in the outback have had to turn to tourism to survive. Exploration of gas and oil continues at a rapid rate in these areas and companies such as Santos employ large numbers of road workers, pipe layers, excavators and bore miners. Some live in tin demountables on backs of semi-trailers by the side of the dirt roads, others live in towns such as Burketown, Normanton, and Karumba. There's always at least one pub in these towns and in just an hour's conversation with the locals or the bar staff you can usually get the low-down on what's happening around the region.

Chillagoe can be reached in a half day with bitumen most of the way until 45km from the township when you hit unsealed but well-graded gravel. Access is only a problem after consistent heavy rain. From Mareeba, Chillagoe is just 144km. Road conditions do not deteriorate until past Chillagoe and it is possible for buses and 2WD vehicles to reach Chillagoe.

Chillagoe is worthy of at least 1 -3 days stop with numerous limestone caves to explore either by tour or self-guided walks. Cave tours are the main feature of the area with guided tours at 9am and 1.30pm daily. The availability and booking times are posted outside the national park office in Chillagoe. The features of the Chillagoe NP don't lie exclusively underground however, with giant spears of limestone dotting the landscape. Royal Arch, Mungana and Trezkinn Caves are all popular. Make sure you have a torch for Royal Arch Cave. An above-ground trail links Royal Arch Cave with Donna Cave (4km), passing the unusual Balancing Rock along the way.

The national park campsite is located near Royal Arch Cave, about 5km out of town and well signposted. There are toilets, tables, fireplaces and limited water.

After leaving Chillagoe you head along the Bourke Developmental Road in a north-westerly direction. An alternative route to Karumba could be made from Chillagoe by heading south to the Undara Lava Tubes then west along the easier Gulf Developmental Road through Croydon and Normanton.

Chillagoe to Dorunda (a fishing camp on the banks of a 25km long fresh water river) is 370km and a day's drive. It's a great place to camp with or without a tinnie with secluded camps spread along the banks of the river and a bar and other supplies available from the HS. Road conditions vary from season to season, even from day to day but there are usually few corrugations but horrific bulldust.

A safe driving speed out here is around 80-90km/hr with free roaming cattle and severe bulldust at every unexpected moment. The road surface is hard, probably a bauxite base, but the bulldust can catch you out if you're not paying attention.

Dorunda to Karumba is just another day's drive with only the last 40km being bitumen. Arriving at Karumba after driving through the dry surrounding country is like coming to an oasis. Beautiful blue waters, magnificent sunsets and a modern atmosphere make Karumba an alluring destination. There are two main areas in Karumba, the Point (where the Tavern is located on the grassy banks on the beachfront) and old Karumba where you'll find the post office, supermarket, river operations and other commercial business.

Karumba has a small airport and there's plenty to do in the area either on your own or by taking a tour.

Nearby is Normanton, Bourketown and Lawn Hill, places you'll visit on our ExplorOz.com Gulf trek. Or, you may be heading south and want to pick up our Matilda Highway.

 Preparation

Fuel Supplies

Cairns, Chillagoe & Karumba

Fuel Required

4cyl Diesel 84litres - fuel used based on data stored in TrekFuel

Best time to visit

Dry Season

Permits

None

Supplies/Facilities

Cairns, Chillagoe & Karumba

 Things to See & Do

Chillagoe Caves, Remote country, Gulf of Carpentaria

 Driving Notes

We need new driving notes for this trek note. See our How to Submit a Trek Note page.

 Related Shop Items

Outback & Regional
1. Cape York  $8.95 Add the item Cape York to your Cart
Click here for full page preview
Scale 1:250,000  7th Edition  
The main part of this map is a road map at a scale of 1: 1,000,000 designed for planning a trip anywhere throughout the Cape York Penninsula region. The main route to the "The Tip" via the Penninsula Developmental Road is clearly shown along with other minor routes. This map also highlights the section known as the "Savannah Way" from Cairns to Normanton. The reverse side of the map sheet contains a more detailed map of the "The Tip" at a scale 1:250000 along with extensive textual and photographic information to assist with trip planning.
Full Description (inc coverage) Member Reward Product Dimensions 250 x 140 x 2mm
ItemID E33 Weight 90grams
Shipped from ExplorOz
2. Cairns to Cooktown  $8.95 Add the item Cairns to Cooktown to your Cart
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Scale 1:250,000  3rd Edition  
This is an easy to read road map that uses one full side to show the various driving routes to Cooktown from Cairns. The CREB Track, Daintree Road, Bloomfield Track and Penninsula Developmental Road are all shown.
Full Description (inc coverage) Member Reward Product Dimensions 240 x 145 x 2mm
ItemID E34 Weight 40grams
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Travel Guides
3. Cape York - An Adventurers Guide Latest Edition  $29.95 Add the item Cape York - An Adventurers Guide to your Cart
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Latest Edition
11th, 2008 Edition  Author Moon, Ron & Viv  
Ron and Viv Moon’s definitive guide to Cape York has been released in its 11th fully revised edition. CAPE YORK– an Adventurers Guide, is 288 pages of vital information, which has been gleaned from over 30 trips to the Cape. All of the information has been extensively revised and is up-to-date with the latest information on track conditions, camping areas, access details, alcohol restrictions, supply points, fuel availability and much more.
Full Description (inc coverage) Member Reward Product Dimensions 245 x 170 x 14mm
ItemID E128 Weight 550grams
Shipped from ExplorOz