Cairns to Alice back road.

WE went cairns to Alice via Atherton Herberton and Mount Isa thence south to pick up the Simpson highway. It was a good run all the way.

Owen

Through the top end via Atherton to Normanton to Mount Isa has always been a good run even when it was unsealed just got to watch out for the kangerbunnies they can get a bit thick some times but not to bad did have a bit of a run in with a big red just out side of kajabi pub in a dyhastu charade but that's another story.
Other than that its a good trip. Check out the big croc on the way through.

Diamantina track sounds about right but doesn't google to me, only get the Diamantina river.

Well Birdsville was originally named Diamantina Crossing and I can recall my father talking about the diamantina track years ago when he was near Mulapunya station near Borroloola when I was a lad , so may have been the same thing your father was talking about :)

We live less than 30 clicks from the Mayne crossing, and this is the first I knew the road was closed. Must get out more..........

There's been a side track there for over a month, and our mailman goes through to Davenport Downs twice a week, so it's okay for 4wd. Winton Shire are doing the job for the Diamantina shire.

The Diamantina track could be the Diamantina River Road, which follows the River closely from Winton-Boulia road, past Old Cork, through the 'Lakes, Davenport across the River and onto Monkira. Can be a bit ordinary at times, especially after rain, and its wise to give it a miss, from Old Cork up, if there are storms about.

Hooroo...