Palmer River Roadhouse to Maytown and return

From memory it took us a long half day. The track was not difficult but it was slow. I think we had lunch at Laura then came down to the roadhouse and headed west. We camped in Dogleg Creek and went on to Maytown next morning but we were there pretty early.

That was late April 1999. Some time ago now but it might give you a guide.

Duncs

We went from cairns early but light and it took us most of the day. The track is slow but easy with at least one water crossing. We camped at Maytown and went for Laura the next day. That track was washed badly by the cyclone last year and it took us a day and a half with a couple of difficult hold ups. Badly rutted. We took one wrong fork and had a real time of it getting up a spur onto the track proper on account of the trailer. Nearly tipped the car over once. Eye opener for me with little experience but I would do it again with the hindsight I earned.

Maytown is worth the visit for sure.

Owen

Palmer River Road House to Maytown along Whies Creek Rd aprox 3 hours. Maytown to Laura allow 8 hours trailer not recommended. Cheers Rob

Wayne,

Your other option is to continue on past Maytown to Palmerville Stn. From there you can cross the Palmer river and go north to join the road to the cape just south of Hahn River Roadhouse. This option is described in Ron Moon's book.

The run from Palmerville Stn to Hahn River was an easy day. We had the Trak Shak with us and had no problems.

If it is wet when you are there you will need to watch a seemingly inconsequential creek crossing about 5 to 15 km east of Palmerville. It has a spring under it and was very boggy when we were there. In fact we only managed to get across with the use of a winch. Apparently the spring dries up once the water table drops, about a month to six weeks after the rain stops. It only presents problems early in the season.

Duncs

It was open with no sign of gates in late April 1999. Last time I was there.

Didn't mean to be misleading, I just thought it was something to consider. Obviously if the landowner has decided to restrict access that also needs to be taken into account.

Is this another example of the poor behaviour of a few spoiling things for the majority of well behaved travellers?

Duncs

having got to maytown you will want to see all the mines and junk laying around and the graveyard otherwise its not worth all the hard work of getting there. That will put at least two hours on the timeframe and possibly more.

Owen