Plenty Hwy condition

Submitted: Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 21:26

ThreadID: 86246 Views:3406 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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Plenty Highway

Part of the "Outback Way", the Plenty Highway is the most direct route from central Queensland across to Alice Springs in central Australia.

Plenty Highway

Section: Treks

Part of the "Outback Way", the Plenty Highway is the most direct route from central Queensland across to Alice Springs in central Australia.

RodnSue

Good evening every one

Does any one have any reliable info on the Plenty Hwy & it's current condition?
We don't want to wait till we get to Boulia to ask & waste fuel if road condition isn't good.

I have looked up RACQ road reports & the report has been the same for wks - high clearance 4WD, boggy @ Glenormiston Stn. NT report says slippery surface to the Qld border from Harts Range.

Went to the police station this arvo @ Winton & they were closed @ 3pm, thought we'd check again tomorrow. Info centre has no idea of road condition.

Local mechanic shop in town didn't know either.

many thanks in advance
Rod & Sue

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Reply By: kev.h - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 21:49

Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 21:49

Ring the tourist info ctr at Boulia very helpful will have latest info
Cheers Kev

AnswerID: 454123

Follow Up By: Member - Neil B (QLD) - Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 15:51

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 15:51

Rod & Sue,

You may also want to put a call into the Gemtree or Jervois Station who both run fuel and camping stops. The lady at the Gemtree had great knowledge of it last year and they get updated every day with people passing through.

The whole area has had above average rain for the past couple of years - so the conventional belief that the road on the QLD side of the border is the worst isn't necessarily true anymore.

Camping at Jervois beside the Plenty River and gums is really nice.

Happy travels,

Neil

FollowupID: 727178

Reply By: Member - Jinki & Harry - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 07:57

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 07:57

Hi Rod & Sue - we have been at the Milparinka Heritage Centre for the past 2 weeks -have heard all sorts of reports regarding road conditions around the centre etc. Had an Outback Spirit bus tour come in last Tuesday - they had come from Alice Springs on the Plenty Highway to Boulia last weekend. Then down toInnamincka via Arraby and the Strez to Merty Merty and Cameron Corner. I asked the driver what road conditions were like - to which he said OK! He was in a 4WD Isuzu bus.Boulia Info Centre would surely have up to date details. Take care, be sensible, drive to the conditions and you should be ok. Enjoy it is a great part of the country. We have now completed our 2 weeks volunteering and heading back south. Jinki

Jinki & Harry enjoying !!!!!

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AnswerID: 454144

Follow Up By: Warren B - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:51

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:51

Hi Jinki & Harry. Thanks for posting that info we are leaving june 1st. for Milparinka will be spending a few days in that area ( mt brown )then moving onto Innamincka and birdsville via walkers crossing ( hope) then the plenty highway to Alice.
Cheers Warren

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Follow Up By: Member - Jinki & Harry - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 17:57

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 17:57

Hi Warren - heard earlier this week Walkers Crossing maybe closed for the rest of the season, damage and water is bad. However guess you will check nearer the time. Also getting to Birdsville from Innamincka might be problem, but again check out. If no rain and good sunny days, roads should dry out, but some are very rough with big washouts and tyre welts. Good luck and enjoy, the countryside is looking terrific at present. Regards Jinki

Jinki & Harry enjoying !!!!!

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Reply By: RodnSue - Friday, May 13, 2011 at 17:03

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 17:03

Hi Kev & Jinki
many thanks for your helpful information.
This is my 1st login to the computer for the day.

I went back to the police station & again they were closed.

Went to the council offices next door & the lady at the counter was very helpful & must have rung Boulia (? whom) & gave me the info as reported here
- that the road is dry, needs caution in some areas & drive to the conditions - which we usually do any way.

If it takes us > 2-3 days to get across then so be it.

cheers & thanks again
Sue

AnswerID: 454195

Reply By: Member - John N (SA) - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 14:32

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 14:32

Hello Rod & Sue - our group has just traveled from Alice Springs to Boulia via the Plenty & Donohue. The road is quite good - no pooled water or slippery surfaces. A bit corrugated in parts and very dusty for most of it. Our 4 vehicles - 3 patrols & 1 Prado all towing campers had no problems at all and we took 3 days of leisurely travel. There are graders along the way and road works periodically as the bitumen towards Boulia is being slowly extended. Its a great trip and the Mitchell Grass after the rains is significant. Have a good trip.

John & Di

AnswerID: 454244

Follow Up By: RodnSue - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 18:09

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 18:09

Many thanks John & Di for your very encouraging news of the road condition & the good wishes.

We are currently @ the van park in Boulia for 2 nights - decided to treat ourselves to longer showers etc :)
The trip from Winton had amazing views of Hilly ranges of beaut colours. Mitchell grass also was mostly green. All very pleasant to the eye.

We'll take our time also & take it as it comes as to how many days it takes to get across.

cheers Sue

FollowupID: 727096

Follow Up By: Member - John N (SA) - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 18:37

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 18:37

Good to meet you at Boulia - we found it was a great place and were glad to have returned. On our last trip when we visited the Hay River, we just passed through. We are now in Winton - hope your trip went well.

John & Di

FollowupID: 727327

Follow Up By: RodnSue - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 17:42

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 17:42

Hi John & Di
like wise on meeting you.
we made it in 1 piece this arvo thanks, bar the b..... bull dust. It found it's way in somewhere around the range hood. Tried a new tact this morning before leaving - failure, made ingress worse - so opened 1 x 4 seasons hatch 1 notch.
Have just spent last 2 hrs doing a thorough clean :( , now I feel better :)
We will enjoy Alice Springs & surrounds for a few wks now.
cheers
Sue

FollowupID: 727471