Queensland Query..which Highway?

Cloncurry to Cairns via Normanton , is a good run, Matilda Highway... is not really, that's only a tourist name, in order from Cloncurry : Burke Developmental Rd to Normanton and beyond, : Gulf Developmental Rd across to the Kennedy Hwy.
In places the road North of Cloncurry is single lane so be prepared to move off and STOP when you see Roadtrains coming, You will have plenty to see across the top and into the Tablelands, Kuranda Range is very scenic but also long and steep , caution needed .The military museum between Tolga and Mareeba is worth a look and the Innot Hot Springs has a graet camping spot.When in Mt Isa you could take a run out to the east along the highway to the Fountain Springs Rest Area, 250 meters on is a T/O right over the grid , follow that out to Fountain Springs Falls , If you have an off Road camper you will have no trouble taking it in as the area is a fantastic camp area , I lived Mt Isa for 3 years

Doug

I would agree with Doug here on stopping for the road trains. Good idea is when you see them give them a call on 40 and let them know you are getting of the road for them. So many caravan people don't do this.

I would come down the Kuranda range and not the Gilies range. Undara lava tubes worth a look, but expensive.

Don't be scared to explore, just because there is no water near the road doesn't mean there is no water further in. Just watch the black soil.

My preferred way is via Charter towers ( Plenty to see here) then up the Gregory development road time permitting. This road has a bit of road works going on on it and there are still single lanes with lots of road trains. But up the coast road from Townville is nice with plenty of good camping grounds. Lucinda, Hinchinbrook, Cardwell and Mission Beach just to name a few.

One last thing have a counter lunch in the old pub on the bottom side of the road in Atherton, Plenty of room to park the caravan out the back.

Have Fun.

Cheers
Rob

Make a point of visiting the Cobold Gorge south of Georgetown. Really is somthing special. The pub in Atherton is the Barron Valley. Was my home for about 6 months many moons ago. You could spend at least a week in and around Atherton Mareeba. There is an excellent free camp at Walkamin - between the other two - which can have up to 30 happy campers every night but it is quite a large area.
Also suggest you look at spending a day pokeing around Croydon on the way from Normanton to Georgetown. Chillagoe Caves beat Undara hands down IMO.

Safe tripping.

Kevin

We did the trip from Normanton to Mount Surpprise along the Savannah Way last year. While we towed a pop-top with a 4WD, my mate towed a campervan with a Commodore. The journey was totally without drama and there are some interesting places to see. If you do go that way, make sure you visit the Undara Lava Tubes which are just east of MT Surprise.

Just a couple of points.
The roads are all sealed but are what are called "Beef Roads" , in other words they are one lane sealed roads in some places so you need to be aware of the best way to negotiate these.

If you get to Normanton, make sure you go the extra 70km to Karumba and Karumba Point.

If you want to go to the Undara Lava Tubes and stay there, make sure you book ahead because they can be very busy.

Toolman

Go via Normanton & Georgetown, it's much more interesting. On the way visit Undara lava tubes, well worth a look, good dirt road(only a few km's and fine for a van or you can stay at a park quite close buy and come in on the bus). Take the full day tour. Have fun