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Normanton to Coen via Kowanyama

Difficulty: Trek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD Bike 
This trek traverses through the beautiful Gulf Savannah region which extends from the Great Dividing Range in the east to the Northern Territory border in the west.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesNormanton
Trek
FinishCoen
Distance914.09 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed69.77 km/hrDriving Time13 hr 6 min
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 Description

Enjoy the golden savannah grasslands and the monsoonal wetlands of this trek in this rather barren region of Australia. There are a variety of native animals and a diverse portrait of birds including herons, jabirus, brolgas, sarus crane and many other waterbird species that migrate here - especially after the rains.

A good majority of the trek is on the Burke Developmental Road with minor portions being on the Karumba Development Road, Kowanyama Development Road and Musgrave Strathgordon Road before hitting Peninsula Development Road before Coen. The majority of the journey is a true adventure drive with most of it being unsealed. Although some of these roads can be rough, it’s quite navigable by conventional vehicles with care.

The trek passes through beautiful scenery, including some old historic towns. Examples include: Normanton, which is well known for its diverse migratory wading birds and Barramundi fishing and Karumba which sits on the mouth of the Norman River and is home to the Gulf of Carpentaria’s prawning and fishing industries and not to forget its stunning sunsets. Kowanyama, which means ‘the place of many waters’ is a culturally significant Aboriginal community town. This town is situated on the banks of Magnificent Creek and during the wet season, it’s not uncommon to have supplies flown in by air. There are many homestead stations olong the way including Dunbar Station and there is an old ex-fortress telegraph station now called Musgrave Roadhouse. Coen is a beautiful small town located on the old telegraph line that ran from Laura to Bamaga and is considered the last place north for supplies such as food, fuel and mechanical repairs before heading towards the tip of Cape York.

 Interactive Route Map

NormantonNorman River, Burke Dev RoadStake HoleBurke Dev Road & Karumba Dev RdMaggievilleKarumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point RdKarumbaKarumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point RdMaggievilleBurke Dev Road & Karumba Dev RdGilbert River, Burke Dev RoadWyaaba Creek, Burke Dev RoadStaaten River, Burke Dev RoadBurke Dev Road & Kowanyama RdBurkes LagoonKowanyamaMitchell River, Kowanyama Pormpuraaw TkAlice River & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw TkMusgrave Strathgordon Rd & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw TkOpera HillGlen GarlandMusgrave RoadhouseCoen
Normanton
Normanton, is a small cattle town in the north of the state of Queensland, Australia, just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the Norman River. The town's population is 1447, over half of whom are indigenous Australians (2001 census).
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Position: 141.0772ºE   17.6718ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Norman River, Burke Dev Road
Distance: 1.34km
Average Speed: 49.9km/h
Features: River Crossing
Position: 141.0890ºE   17.6651ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Stake Hole
Distance: 21.31km
Average Speed: 91.53km/h
Stake Hole
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 141.1626ºE   17.5281ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd
Distance: 7.36km
Average Speed: 87.97km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 141.1835ºE   17.4625ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Maggieville
Distance: 1.72km
Average Speed: 90.02km/h
Maggieville
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 141.1718ºE   17.4537ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd
Distance: 34.5km
Average Speed: 92.96km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.8594ºE   17.4582ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Karumba
Distance: 4.28km
Average Speed: 62.26km/h
Karumba
Karumba is a town in north-western Queensland, Australia, 71 km by road from Normanton and 2159 km from the state capital, Brisbane. Karumba forms part of Carpentaria Shire Council, the administrative headquarters of which is in Normanton.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Bay,Inlet,Cove Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
Position: 140.8382ºE   17.4888ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd
Distance: 4.28km
Average Speed: 62.26km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.8594ºE   17.4582ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Maggieville
Distance: 34.5km
Average Speed: 92.96km/h
Maggieville
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 141.1718ºE   17.4537ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd
Distance: 1.72km
Average Speed: 90.02km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 141.1835ºE   17.4625ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Gilbert River, Burke Dev Road
Distance: 72.48km
Average Speed: 83.24km/h
Features: River Crossing
Position: 141.7680ºE   17.1694ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Wyaaba Creek, Burke Dev Road
Distance: 63.96km
Average Speed: 81.48km/h
Features: River Crossing
Position: 141.9511ºE   16.6898ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Staaten River, Burke Dev Road
Distance: 22.72km
Average Speed: 85.81km/h
Features: River Crossing
Position: 142.0566ºE   16.5338ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Burke Dev Road & Kowanyama Rd
Distance: 71.18km
Average Speed: 86.59km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 142.3907ºE   16.0215ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Burkes Lagoon
Distance: 6.27km
Average Speed: 82.26km/h
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 142.3425ºE   15.9866ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Kowanyama
Distance: 94.73km
Average Speed: 64.66km/h
Kowanyama
The town of Kowanyama is a town on the Gulf of Carpentaria side of Cape York in North Queensland. There are many a number of Aboriginal groups who live here including the Kokoberra, Kokominjena and the Kunjen.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Point of Interest
Position: 141.7457ºE   15.4736ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Mitchell River, Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk
Distance: 68.01km
Average Speed: 45.97km/h
Features: River Crossing
Position: 141.9638ºE   15.3658ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Alice River & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk
Distance: 16.65km
Average Speed: 26.43km/h
Features: River Crossing
Position: 142.0245ºE   15.3783ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Musgrave Strathgordon Rd & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk
Distance: 73.63km
Average Speed: 48.21km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 141.6836ºE   14.8736ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Opera Hill
Distance: 169.85km
Average Speed: 82.43km/h
Opera Hill
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Mountain,Peak,Hill
Position: 143.1808ºE   14.8552ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Glen Garland
Distance: 12.34km
Average Speed: 72.03km/h
Glen Garland
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 143.2750ºE   14.8475ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Musgrave Roadhouse
Distance: 28.61km
Average Speed: 44.24km/h
Musgrave Roadhouse
Phone: (07) 4098 7765
Features: Service Station,RoadhouseCaravan Park Fuel Airstrip Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Camp Fee Point of Interest
Position: 143.5029ºE   14.7782ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Coen
Distance: 102.66km
Average Speed: 11.71km/h
Coen
Coen NPWS Phone: (07) 4060 1137
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Camp Free Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Mine Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
Position: 143.1990ºE   13.9456ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Things to See & Do

Musgrave Roadhouse - QLD   
Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Airstrip Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Camp Fee Point of Interest
Phone: (07) 4098 7765
Kowanyama - QLD   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Point of Interest
The town of Kowanyama is a town on the Gulf of Carpentaria side of Cape York in North Queensland. There are many a number of Aboriginal groups who live here including the Kokoberra, Kokominjena and the Kunjen. The name ‘Kowanyama’ which means ‘the place of many waters’, is situated on the banks of Magnificent Creek.
Stake Hole - QLD   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Burkes Lagoon - QLD   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Opera Hill - QLD   
Mountain,Peak,Hill 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 Preparation

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolNormanton, Karumba, Kowanyama, Musgrave Roadhouse, Coen Diesel4cyl 128 litres ULP4cyl 148 litres LPG4cyl 183 litres
6cyl 141 litres6cyl 165 litres6cyl 161 litres
8cyl 147 litres8cyl 152 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Kowanyama Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 57.38km NW
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 33.132.432.833.0 32.130.630.732.0 34.636.136.134.9
Mean Min. °C 24.324.223.721.9 19.216.115.416.1 18.821.823.924.3
Mean Rain mm 335.9361.6234.054.4 11.54.42.02.5 2.716.155.8169.1
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Normanton, Karumba, Kowanyama, Musgrave Roadhouse, Coen

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Normanton - QLD   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Normanton, is a small cattle town in the north of the state of Queensland, Australia, just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the Norman River. The town's population is 1447, over half of whom are indigenous Australians (2001 census). The town is one terminus of the isolated Normanton - Croydon Railway, which was built during gold rush days in the 1890s.
Coen - QLD   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Camp Free Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Mine Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
Coen NPWS Phone: (07) 4060 1137
Karumba - QLD   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Bay,Inlet,Cove Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
Karumba is a town in north-western Queensland, Australia, 71 km by road from Normanton and 2159 km from the state capital, Brisbane. Karumba forms part of Carpentaria Shire Council, the administrative headquarters of which is in Normanton.
Musgrave Roadhouse - QLD   
Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Airstrip Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Camp Fee Point of Interest
Phone: (07) 4098 7765
Kowanyama - QLD   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Point of Interest
The town of Kowanyama is a town on the Gulf of Carpentaria side of Cape York in North Queensland. There are many a number of Aboriginal groups who live here including the Kokoberra, Kokominjena and the Kunjen. The name ‘Kowanyama’ which means ‘the place of many waters’, is situated on the banks of Magnificent Creek.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Normanton to Norman River, Burke Dev Road 1.34 km NE 59° 1 min
Norman River, Burke Dev Road to Stake Hole 21.31 km NE 27° 13 min
Stake Hole to Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd 7.36 km N 17° 5 min
Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd to Maggieville 1.72 km NW 308° 1 min
Maggieville to Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd 34.5 km W 269° 22 min
Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd to Karumba 4.28 km SW 213° 4 min
Karumba to Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd 4.28 km NE 33° 4 min
Karumba Dev Rd & Karumba Point Rd to Maggieville 34.5 km E 89° 22 min
Maggieville to Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd 1.72 km SE 128° 1 min
Burke Dev Road & Karumba Dev Rd to Gilbert River, Burke Dev Road 72.48 km NE 62° 52 min
Gilbert River, Burke Dev Road to Wyaaba Creek, Burke Dev Road 63.96 km N 20° 47 min
Wyaaba Creek, Burke Dev Road to Staaten River, Burke Dev Road 22.72 km NE 33° 15 min
Staaten River, Burke Dev Road to Burke Dev Road & Kowanyama Rd 71.18 km NE 32° 49 min
Burke Dev Road & Kowanyama Rd to Burkes Lagoon 6.27 km NW 307° 4 min
Burkes Lagoon to Kowanyama 94.73 km NW 312° 1 hr 27 min
Kowanyama to Mitchell River, Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk 68.01 km NE 63° 1 hr 28 min
Mitchell River, Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk to Alice River & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk 16.65 km E 102° 37 min
Alice River & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk to Musgrave Strathgordon Rd & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk 73.63 km NW 327° 1 hr 31 min
Musgrave Strathgordon Rd & Kowanyama Pormpuraaw Tk to Opera Hill 169.85 km E 89° 2 hr 3 min
Opera Hill to Glen Garland 12.34 km E 85° 10 min
Glen Garland to Musgrave Roadhouse 28.61 km E 73° 38 min
Musgrave Roadhouse to Coen 102.66 km N 340° 8 hr 46 min
Normanton to Coen 914.09 km     13 hr 6 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

 Trek Feedback

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What Others have Posted

Member - Van D (NSW) : 17 Apr 08 18:47
Can someone inform me of the terrors of the Musgrave Roadhouse to Co...
Mark99 : 4 Dec 07 23:00
Drove this route regularly for work, one rough trip took 11 hours fr...
klm : 24 Nov 07 17:27
any permits required...

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