Dawson Development Rd - how much bitumin?

Don't take any notice of the route in villages, I didn't have it zoomed and it diverted into places like dululu , went around a back street , just stay to the main roads , you will turn left there anyhow to head for the Capricorn Hwy and Westwood,

Doug

Thanks for the response Doug, but I'd just like to confirm that we're talking about the same road. I'm interested in the Dawson Developmental Road (sorry I called it the Development Road in the intial post) that runs between Tambo and Springsure.
Is this the one you say is fully sealed? Thanks.

Thanks again Doug, my 3 year old map suggest that part of it is sealed. Is the unsealed section good quality? I'll be towing a small caravan (eye to eye leaf springs). I suspect I should be sticking to black top.

I don't know what it is like , never been on it but would presume its would be corrugated
JUST GOT INFO
Do not use the Tambo - Springsure road

There are people from Stations on the Tambo road stranded in Springsure ,

Thanks again Doug. It's strange that the RACQ website lists this road as open and in good condition. I'll steer clear of it.

RACQ are always behind, in my travels i found they will declare a road closed about 2 days after the fact, and I have driven through a creek near Winton qld when the water got to 400mm , it was 3 days later I heard on the radio it was then open, the best source of information is from the locals

Doug

Robbg,

The Tambo/Springsure road is sealed for about twenty kms out of Tambo and about 30kms out of Springsure. It's an ok road but rough in patches. I don't think that it would be an ideal road for a small van.

The easiest way to get to Townsville would be straight up the Newell and then on the Leichardt Hwy to Rockhampton.

Another thought is if you wanted to stay away from the coastal highway I'd head left to Emerald at Banana and then head up the Gregory Development road all the way to Charters Towers. The Gregory Development Road is a good road. There are good camping facilities at Emerald, Capella, Clermont, Belyando Crossing and Charters Towers.

From Charters Towers you can keep on the Gregory Development Road up to The Lynd Junction and then you join the Kennedy Hwy and can go on to Cairns either through the Atherton Tablelands or down to the coast at Gordonvale. The Gregory Dev Road between Charters Towers and The Lynd is a bit narrow but if you drive carefully you would have no worries. There is a camp ground at The Lynd but it's not too flash. Further on you could take a detour out to Undara Lava Tubes near Mt Surprise if you were interested. Another interesting spot is Innot Hot Springs which is on the Kennedy Hwy.

Anyway, that's just a few ideas...hope you have a good trip whichever way you decide.

Viv

Thanks Viv, I reckon I'll take the Castlereagh Hwy past Lightning Ridge and north via Emerald. Another thread I was reading suggests that parts of this road near the border are rough but I'll take it easy. Do you know any good caravan parks in St George and Emerald? Cheers, Rob.

Rob,

In St George stay at

Kamarooka Caravan Park - 4 Star Rating
56 Victoria Street
Phone (07) 4625 3120 Fax (07) 4625 5266
Email: glendaandneil@bigpond.com.au

It is next door the the Ambulance station, and about 2 blocks from the centre of town.

As you enter St George from the south turn right at the RSL on to Alfred street, follow Alfred street through to the Stop sign,
turn left on to Church St,
then turn Left again onto Victoria St,
The Caravan Park will then be on your left at about 200m.

Going this way will allow you to enter the Caravan park without having to do a U Turn around the traffic island.

Cheers Kev
(former St George resident)

There are a couple of caravan parks in Emerald but I've only stayed at the Emerald Cabin and Caravan Park. It's close to the centre of town, good amenities and clean. There is a caravan park at Lake Maraboon which looks pretty good.

In St George I've stayed at the park on the northern side of town and it was good too.

There is a Big 4 Park in Roma which has excellent amenities, camp kitchen etc. and Roma is a lovely big town. They have a tourist centre which is very interesting and informative. We camped a night at the Injune Caravan Park once. It was quiet, amenities clean and lots of grass.

Springsure is a really pretty town with Mt Zamia as a backdrop. It has a good little information centre too. Just look for the big windmill as you come into town.

We have friends who live in Emerald so that's why we've been up that way a lot. They used to live about 30kms south on the Capella road but now have sold their cattle block and live in town. Emerald used to be a sleepy little town when we first went there in 1982 and now it has quadrupled in size. The mining industry has changed the town completely.

As you drive north from Emerald you'll see The Peak Ranges. They look just like their name says as they are definitely "peak" shaped. Our friends property was out on this road and I've always loved looking at the Peak Ranges. If you have time to stop and look around Capella they have another one of those "information centres" to look at. The caravan park here is a good one and very friendly.

Sorry, got a bit carried away thinking about that area. It's one of my favourite places.

Viv

Thanks Kev and Viv, haven't been that way before - I'm looking forward to it. Rob.

Rob,

If you need fuel in St George go to Lowe Petroleum (Mobil) across from Mitre 10, on the southern approach to St.G, they are open 24 hours with a card swip system for after hours,
or go to Halpin Motors they are across the road from the RSL and are the cheapest in town but a little difficult to get into if towing a van, they are open until 5pm weekdays and from memory until 12pm Saturdays.

Have a good trip

Cheers Kev

Thanks Kev. I appreciate the tip. Rob.

Kev
(Sorry to jump in Rob)
Interesting to read of someone else from St George.
I was born there 52 years ago. Family migrated to Vic in about 1960. Last of the relations would have left St George probably 25 or more years ago.
Grandmother was caretaker of the council caravan park down near the river, just before the bridge/wier on the road to Bolon. (Don't know if it is still there?) She lived directly over the road from the park.
We lived in a little place just out from there, about halfway to "Hollywood", the camp that all outback towns seemed to have in those days.
Cheers

Was your grandmothers name Joyce??

The place across from the Council caravan park is now a vineyard and has been for about 25 - 30 years now

Kev