gulf track

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 14:00

ThreadID: 61522 Views:2377 Replies:2 FollowUps:3

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Member - John S (QLD)

Hi,

just wondering if anyone has done the gulf track from normanton to numbulwar. then back along the same road, but keep going onto the hwy to turn right to darwin.
if anyone has done this, i would really apprciate some tips, views, and news about the track. also, if anyone has ventured north of the track to get to the coast, i would like to hear your stories as well.

thanks in advance,
john

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Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 17:52

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 17:52

Just got back last Friday from NT.

Came back via Daly Waters, Borroloola , Hells Gate , then cut through to Kingfisher Camp and Lawn Hill, Cloncurry.

So can comment on that section.

Travelled it around the 26 & 27th August.

It is not a track, but a two lane width dirt road. Typical western Qld/NT road. Some good sections, some a bit corrugated.

The corrugations are medium, but not severe compared to the development road on the Cape. Seem to occur in patches where the country has red soil, and are in 5k to 20k patches. Good road on the loamy areas, and a bit of bulldust appearing in the light grey areas.
River crossings are down, Calvert river was down to about 200mm deep and a bit of a rocky bottom, but OK in 1st high range.

Grader was working about 70k south of Borroloola.

Can average 70km/hr OK. We did our usual thing for this type of road and sat on 60 to 80, touching 90 on the good bits.

Camping ($20.00 / night?) at Hells Gate, but no fuel available.

Fuel is cheaper at Borroloola than Cape Crawford.

Trust that helps.

AnswerID: 324557

Follow Up By: Member - John S (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 19:51

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008 at 19:51

gday oldplodder,

thanks for the information. i did hear that hells gate dont do fuel anymore. is there anything on either side of hells gate in close proximity? or is it a case of bringing extra jerry cans?
was there much UHF traffic?
John

FollowupID: 591663

Follow Up By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 08:16

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 08:16

Not much UHF traffic.
Saw about 3 or 4 cars coming the other way.
Was about the same travelling with us in the same direction that day.
Borroloola and Doomadgee are it.
As Phil says, Doomadgee is good for fuel.
From memory it is about 400k from Doomadgee to Borroloola, so don't see why fuel is an issue unless you are doing a lot of side tracks. Check the milage on the maps.

Most of the rivers like the Calvert river have side tracks along the banks that people use for an overnighter.

Saw quite a few people heading north. Locals reckon the water is starting to warm up for the fishing.

Have a good trip.

FollowupID: 591718