Brisbane to Lawn Hill NP

We were there 2 years ago, the Camooweal to Lawn Hill road is the worst road surface I have ever driven on.

Many sharp edged rocks as part of the surface, tyres that are cut can't be repaired.

Been on worse roads but the surfaces were not tyre killers

Agree with OZI, I went on that road a few years back . Road was very rocky , I've been on worse but in I'd call it plain bad .

Best & easiest way to lawn hill is from Cloncurry up to Bourke & Wills roadhouse then up to Gregory (camping grounds there). from there it's an easy run to Lawn Hill.

Darren

I agree with the previous answers to your question.

I have been there a number of times over the years and have used all the available roads, but not for about the last 4, and I would suggest you look at Cloncurry to Bourke & Wills Roadhouse, then Gregory Downs to Lawn Hill. This is a sealed road to Gregory Downs, then a usually well maintained dirt to the turn off to the mine site, and could be anything gravel from there.

This will give the shortest distance to travel on poor roads.

Enjoy your trip.
Athol

Another way would be to Gregory via Cloncurry and turn off at Burke and Wills Road House. From Gregory it,s about 100k of part chopped bitumen and gravel which can be a bit rough.

Alternatively take the Thompson development road about 100 ks west of The Isa. It's sealled for about 100k then a god gravel road which meets up with the Camooweal road to Riversleigh. Some friends did it last year with a caravan and said it was Ok with a couple rough bits.

Haven't been for a few years, but from memory, the Riversleigh section was by far the worst, with great big sharp rocks all over the road surface.

We went from Normanton (because we were there!) across to Burketown, Gregory Pub to Lawn Hill (just after the fire destroyed a lot of the Adel's Grove infrastructure). The only bit that wasn't good/black_stuff was the bit after Gregory - started decent, then the seal was broken and holey, degenerating after the minesite to serious corros.

Leaving Boodjamulla NP (Adel's Grove) to the SOUTH via Riversleigh was rough until meeting the Gregory to Barkly Hwy road, then decent all the way down - but probably still a better bet than back to Gregory. FYI there's a watercourse (Louie Creek) about 10k down which lunched a Mitsubishi van engine when he was crawling through it. Knee deep usually, uneven rocky bottom, not sure how your laden bike will deal with it. There is more water across that road further down, but bitumen/concrete crossings and not deep or any concern.

Ex Brissie I'd be thinking the direct route - Barcaldine - Winton - Cloncurry - Gregory

Daz,
Apart from the road and crossing info supplied what mods, alterations or precautions have you made/done to the Vstrom, a good bike!
I owned an '08 DL1000 for ten years and saw some on the Oodnadatta track in 2010. One fellow crashed and was badly hurt and a doctor in the group riding a 1000 Vstrom slid off on sandy marble surface and broke gear lever and other bits. Unrideable unless prepared with spares or really savvy with bikes. Just the OE front Tyre will be great for bitumen but any gravel and other situations really requires a very open tread on the front at least. If you EVER have to brake hard Oe tyres on gravel and sandy stuff just don't cut the mustard in emergencies. Riding solo you want to have things a bit in your favour. Comfortable and a good bike, having the suspension raised a bit and the rear adjusted to handle the load will ensure some vital clearance in sudden unexpected dips which bottom the suspension unless prepared prior to travel. You didn't mention your bike experience or mechanical capabilities so some suggestions worth considering supplied here. I have owned a series of large capacity trail bikes as well and ridden bikes more than 200,000km. PS, A BMW R100GS I owned was by far the thirstiest and the worst bike, handling, braking and suspension very sub standard, as for reliability, well we won't mention that. Only two good days with that one, purchase day and selling day. Vstroms will do 250,000km and not give trouble.

Hi Daz,

Maybe have a look at this site https://advrider.com/f/forums/australia.32/

There is a thread about V-Stroms in there with heaps of info and recommendations about tyres and gear etc.

Also the second weekend in August the Off Centre Rally is on at Adels Grove there will be nearly 200 riders attending. Thread here https://advrider.com/f/threads/ocr-2020.1379244/

You could easily find some traveling mates if this suited your time frame.

If you do travel alone think of carrying a personal epirb or a spot tracker or similar.

Biggest thing when travelling alone on the bike I found is as soon as you realise your not focused even for a moment stop and have a break. That's when you'll get caught out - don't ask how I know.

Shane