Barcaldine, Aramac to Torrens Creek Road.

Submitted: Saturday, Sep 06, 2014 at 20:02

ThreadID: 109417 Views:6541 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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Barcaldine

Barcaldine is well known as the Garden City of the West and has a population of approximately 1900. It is situated on the Central Western Railway line approximately 518 km west of Rockhampton.

Member - Brian P (SA)

Looking at traveling the Barcaldine, Aramac to Torrens Creek Road next week. Has anyone travelled it lately and is it tar or dirt? Thanks Brian.

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Reply By: Member - Andrew & Jen - Saturday, Sep 06, 2014 at 20:25

Saturday, Sep 06, 2014 at 20:25

Brian
We travelled south from Torrens Creek to Bowen Downs a few weeks ago. If my memory serves me correctly, the first section south from Torrens Creek was open surface in reasonable condition, then sealed southwards from about the Forest Den NP as per the Hema map.
As always, rain could well make it impassible for a few days.
Cheers
Andrew

AnswerID: 538704

Reply By: Member - firmy (NSW) - Saturday, Sep 06, 2014 at 20:28

Saturday, Sep 06, 2014 at 20:28

G'day there travelled from Torrens Creek to Aramac about a month ago mostly tar last 30klm from Torrens Creek not bad dirt as long as it's dry. cheers Firmy

AnswerID: 538705

Reply By: Robyn R4 - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 09:57

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 09:57

Be warned!
It's black soil territory out there.
We went through there last year, heading north from Barcy to Hughenden. The road near Aramac was one lane and we were very grateful that we could keep one wheel on the tar as we passed oncoming cars because it was very slippery on the road edges.
In Muttaburra we followed the road advisory signs and took the road to Prairie. The other 2 choices were posted as either closed or 4WD only and the Prairie Road was posted as "open".
By the time we realised that we should not have taken the road it was too late to turn around...the edges of the road were far too slippery to risk doing a U-turn. All we could do was drive on and pray to the Gods of wet black soil.
Not sure how much rain they'd had in the previous night's little storm but we very nearly spent a few days stuck in that mud-it was just those Gods, the low-range 4WD and my hubby's experience with wet black soil that got us through.

My advice...ask in Muttaburra before heading north. Don't just follow the sign!

Happy travels!
:)

AnswerID: 538725

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 10:19

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 10:19

Here's the drum seeing as I live in Muttaburra ,,Barcy to Aramac = tar single lane all the way except for 2 new road train parking spots , 80% black soil so do not get all wheels of the bitueum after any reasonable rain , [ had 1/2- 1mm last night so no drama ] ….
Aramac to Torrens Creek turnoff all tar [beware of Bullock creek if any rain , rises fast but goes down quick] then when on the actual Torrens Creek rd is new beaut tar [ last 5 yrs ] all the way EXCEPT the last 30 km which is either b/dust if no rain or sludge if had an inch or two , NO Fuel after Aramac , which has only 1 outlet , [ 10c / 15c dearer than what you would pay in Barccy ,, Threat of rain currently NIL.

AnswerID: 538727

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:27

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:27

Hullo Alloy c/t
Nothing better than from the horse's mouth, so to speak :-)
We were there overnight towards the end of July, having come across from Bowen Downs - now there is a "road" not to be attempted after a sprinkle of rain!
Spent the afternoon and night at Muttaburra, with a meal in the pub and walked back to the CP through the roos. Might have even met you perhaps?
Very much enjoyed our time there and thought the "gun shearer" was brilliant.
Cheers
Andrew

FollowupID: 823301

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:37

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:37

Ahh but did you find not only the gun [actual pistol ] but also the 303 bolt , 1 is on the sheep , the other on the shearer ,,,

FollowupID: 823302

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:48

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:48

And yes the Bowen Downs Rd can be a handful after rain , but its our 'shortcut' when we need to go to Townsville , means only 50km dirt then the other 30 km dirt at the Torrens Creek end , most 'do' Mutta to Townsville in 5 & a 1/2 hrs ,,, were you at the pub on a Friday night ?

FollowupID: 823303

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:50

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:50

Alas and alack, only the pistol :-(
[I didn't think to frisk the sheep - I assumed it was innocent :-) ]

FollowupID: 823304

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:51

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:51

And yes, we were at the pub - on the front verandah

FollowupID: 823305

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:59

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 11:59

Ahh ,but you see the sheep actually has a pistol incorporated in its neck and the shearer has the 303 rifle bolt ,,, And Friday nights is the 'go' for the Pub ,, "joker draw" and 1/2 the town [and from a few surrounding properties] for drinks and dinner ….

FollowupID: 823306

Follow Up By: slave - Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 17:54

Sunday, Sep 07, 2014 at 17:54

What a lovely town Muttaburra is . We spent a couple of nights there in November last year and due to unfortunate circumstances had to return again in December.

Certainly met a number of locals on the pub verandah as well as inside the pub as it was the only cool place in town.

Mrs S

FollowupID: 823321