Palmerville Station to Maytown

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 14:51
ThreadID: 87192 Views:7205 Replies:4 FollowUps:42
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G'day all.

Last year in July we were repelled illegally from the Palmerville to Maytown Road which leaves the Palmerville-Laura Road about 4.3 k north of Palmerville Station and ends up at Maytown.

Has anyone driven it since it was acquired by the Cook Shire Council, or since July last year? I am keen to know the time taken to travel it now and any relevant information.
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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 16:35

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 16:35
I would be interesting to know who repelled you illegally.
Untitled land claimants, traditional owners or others claiming rights to the road?
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 16:46

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 16:46
I think that would not be an appropriate thing to place in this forum. The road was compulsorily acquired by the CSC on 12 March 2010 and is available for the public to travel on, but is definitely 4WD only.
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Follow Up By: fisho64 - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 17:35

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 17:35
Why?
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Follow Up By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 17:45

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 17:45
Thread 77010
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Follow Up By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 19:21

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 19:21
Palmerville Road
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Follow Up By: fisho64 - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:25

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:25
Ok -I see now who may have "repelled" the OP-though I would have thought that WOULD be exactly the sort of thing appropriate to discuss here?
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:35

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:35
Olsen
I am not trying to denigrate any one - don’t be so politically correct.
Your answer gives me the information I wanted.
It’s a problem when we have to self censor to avoid giving out facts.

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Follow Up By: timglobal - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:36

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:36
There's an article on the local shire blog which is illuminating.

Palmerville Road Opening

The road is currently impassable due to the elements, but is legally open.

Note Police comments in article about "hazards" and the comp purchase event.
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Follow Up By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:46

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:46
Dennis

Olsen
I am not trying to denigrate any one - don’t be so politically correct.
Your answer gives me the information I wanted.
It’s a problem when we have to self censor to avoid giving out facts.

Your easily Pleased
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:52

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:52
Yep John,
I'm too good to be true - not many of us around these days.
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Follow Up By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:59

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 20:59
Self praise is no recommendation and we are blessed that
"I'm too good to be true - not many of us around these days. "
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:13

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:13
I am not being politically correct, I simply choose what I say and where I say it- I think that is my right.
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:16

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:16
btw my name is David, but you may call me Mr Olsen if you prefer, but not just Olsen
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Follow Up By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:29

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:29
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The Foul Language Rule .

Forum Moderation Team
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:31

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:31
Pleased to meet you Dennis..... or Freddy
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:37

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:37
David,
I would have addressed you as David or Mr Olsen, had I known, but mind reading is not one of my talents.
If my memory serves me welll, you may be an old army officer.

Dennis ex 2RAR 1967/68
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:40

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:40
Ha, mind reading is child's play for my wife.

No I passed the Officer Selection Board but knocked them back. Think we spoke before tho now that I see 2RAR 1967.
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:49

Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 at 22:49
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The Foul Language Rule .

Forum Moderation Team
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Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 05:49

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 05:49
David,

I can't help with current conditions but a group of us traveled from the Palmer River Roadhouse to Maytown and return in July 2009 on the Palmerville Road. We took this road rather than the Old Coach Road after discussion with the postmaster at Laura as we had limited time. The postmaster at Laura also told us of the ownership issues however we took the risk and didn't run into any problems. The road was in pretty good nick back then and there was a road crew working on realigning the road.
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 07:06

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 07:06
Hi Richard from Palmer River Roadhouse you would have taken Whites Creek rd a different road. Palmerville Rd runs from Laura to Palmerville. This road I am talking about runs from Palmerville Rd to Maytown along the Palmer River. Whites Creek Rd runs from the Mulligan Highway to Maytown. The Old Coach road runs from Maytown to Laura.
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Follow Up By: Richard W (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 06:04

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 06:04
David,

On having another look at the map I can see what you mean.
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Reply By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 16:39

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 16:39
David,

We tried to drive it in early October last year, but chose discretion over valour.

The road had been gazetted as a public road. There was a notice from the relevant Qld Govt. department in one of the campground sheds at Maytown advising that if you had any trouble contact the police. Only problem is, the trouble you were likely to experience was severe damage to your vehicle and possible gunshot wounds, possible death.

The person concerned had been known to use a beat-up 4WD to deliberately and severely collide with travellers and run them off the road at places where severe damage or roll-over could/would occur. He had been known to shoot holes in travellers vehicles and had shot out windscreens and windows (behind which are heads, of course).

When we were there, the Palmer River crossing had been blocked with huge rocks so even if you wanted to run the gauntlet you couldn't.

The person involved is a psycho and needs to be locked up. Beats me why, given the activities described which are known to Police (the notice in the shed) he hasn't been.

Cheers

Frank
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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 16:04

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 16:04
Agreed
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 07:46

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 07:46
G'day Frank

Which crossing are you talking about being blocked? The one north west of Maytown?
Where you drive down what was the main street to access the river by turning left?

David
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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:45

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:45
David - I heard that it was the one you mentioned near Maytown where you cross to go back towards Palmerville Station. So when I was there we just stayed clear of it.

The one Off wrights Creek Road was Ok...But we spoke to someone camping there and the idiot had run over one of their awnings on their tent and had given them a mouthful of abuse.

Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011 at 19:41

Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011 at 19:41
G'day David,

Sorry for the delayed follow-up - been away for a couple of days.

From the top of the hill, where the memorial is, looking down what was the main street, turn to the left (about 10 o'clock if you're looking down the main street)

When we were there there was a sandy track, gradually becoming more rocky with a couple of small sandy riverside campsites closer to the river. The crossing itself, had you been able to get all the way through, was no sand, all large rocks, high clearance required.

One third the way across four large boulders had been manoeuvred onto the crossing at a strategic point so that the crossing was impassable. The rocks were scarred, clearly by being pulled about by a back-hoe or some such.

I don't know what the area looks like now - I'm sure it's different after the extreme wet they've had up there - but those 4 boulders were so big I doubt they would have moved under natural forces.

We camped at the river at the end of the main street - that crossing was passable but by that time we had made our decision not to tempt fate and did not explore further.

Cheers

Frank

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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Thursday, Jun 30, 2011 at 06:38

Thursday, Jun 30, 2011 at 06:38
Ahh yes that would be the incorrect crossing, hence the rocks. Most liely the council out those rocks there when they improved the other road to ensure people did not go the wrong way. The crossing you should use is south of the old town site Site Link
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Thursday, Jun 30, 2011 at 06:41

Thursday, Jun 30, 2011 at 06:41
Try again with my glasses on - how about a post-posting edit facility David?

Ahh yes that would be the incorrect crossing, hence the rocks. Most likely the council put those rocks there when they improved the other road to ensure people did not go the wrong way. According to the plans I have, the crossing you should use is south of the old town site Site here
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Reply By: SIF4X4 - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 17:52

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 17:52
I will be at the turnoff point sometime in the next week. Had decided to go that way to Maytown but am towing an old van so will have to gather more info before entering.

Ron Moons book states that the turnoff is South of Palmerville Station. Should be able to advise forum when next I am with internet access...may be by 10th July
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 17:57

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 17:57
I find Ron Moons book lacking in many areas. The turnoff is 4.3k north of Palmerville station
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Follow Up By: SIF4X4 - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 19:34

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 19:34
Thanks for your reply

My mapping shows no tracks within that range north of the station unless the track is post 2008 (Natmap2008)

The track access to Maytown is shown as south of the station and continuing south of the Palmer River near the station landing strip..........unless I am looking at the map upside down or unless the station position has moved :-)
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 19:50

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 19:50
Google Earth is your friend. The road leaves north of the Palmer River, crosses the river and joins the track you talk about. Specific plots of land on a GPS centreline were resumed by council and that starts 4.3k north of Palmerville Station.
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Follow Up By: SIF4X4 - Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 19:58

Sunday, Jun 26, 2011 at 19:58
Thanks for that, David Olsen
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Follow Up By: Member - John L (WA) - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 09:11

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 09:11
If you make it to Palmerville please post photo. My grandmother was there aged 2 to 6 years back when the gold was first found. Great grandfather died of malaria and Great grandma married Fox the publican who also owned half of Palmerville. We tried to go in but that land is so harsh we turned back. One day we will have to come with you David. Cheers Heather.
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 09:14

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 09:14
Heather

Palmerville is quite easy to get to. I think you may mean Maytown recorded as Palmer on some maps. I have many photos of Maytown and the Palmer Goldfields already

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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 15:59

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 15:59
The turnoff is only a couple of ks past the Shire Boundary sign when coming from the South. Soon as you see the sign start looking LHS. It turns off then runs parallel to the road for about 100m before heading West.

Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 16:02

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 16:02
SIF4X4 - By the way - the road is now a highway to MAYTOWN from that direction. No issues with your van.

You will have to back track though, as you will not be able to come out via the Old coach road to Laura.

Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 16:46

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 16:46
I complained to the council about the improvements. Have they fixed up the crossing near the dam or is it still rough as. I hope it is rough as. Watch the place get ruined now if it isn't
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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 17:01

Monday, Jun 27, 2011 at 17:01
Yes not good - More 4 x 4 track gone - The locals would not mind though :-)

I was going to do the round trip two weeks ago but went North instead, as the wind was down. I would say the Dam has been brushed over by now, if not it may be way to rough for some:-)

Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: SIF4X4 - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 07:40

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 07:40
Hi Tony

Thanks for the info. I am heading up the road via Mt Mulgrave Stn and Palmerville Stn However and would like to go east from the 'new' access point.

My van is actually 32 years of age and is more akin to a large camper-trailer as it is almost the same width as the tug and tracks the same, though with 14inch wheels. It has been modified for better clearance and fitted with a TREG hitch. I have had it at some acute angles! Anyway I drive to conditions and only plod along over the rough stuff as I have all the time in the world :-)

Cheers

Spero
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 07:44

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 07:44
I've had a 5 year debate with the Cook Shire over road "improvements" in such areas. They don't understand their own tourist market. I had many times suggested to them, that if they improve roads, they should make an equal length of 4x4 track available for the 4x4 adventurer, and it seems they listened in the case of Palmerville to Maytown.

The road however is by no means suitable for trailers. It will be difficult going in even a 4WD vehicle according to the council.
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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:36

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:36
Spero - I can not tell you what the road is like from that direction - Have not been game to drive that way for years...unless someone posts that they have done this recently I would be careful.....

Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:40

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:40
Spero - You can not come from that way... Cook Shire Road Conditions

Road Name: Palmerville Road
Current Status: OPEN - to Palmerville Station only with care - large 4WD vehicles only. You cannot get across to Maytown on this road.
General Description: Dirt road - drive according to prevailing conditions. Dirt Road can be slippery when wet.River Crossing subject to flooding.
Contact:Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444

Road Name: Palmerville/Maytown Road
Current Status: CLOSED from Palmerville Station across to Maytown.
General Description: Dirt road - deep sandy creek crossings.
Contact:Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444

14. Area

Whites Creek Road
Road Name: White Creek Road
Current Status: OPEN to Maytown - Large high clearance 4WD vehicles only. Works are still in progress. Some steep sandy river crossings - not suitable for small vehicles or caravans. Off-road trailers only at your own risk.
General Description: Dirt road - beware of deep sandy creek crossings. Drive according to prevailing conditions.
Contact:Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444

Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:51

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 16:51
Glen the cop at Laura wants to know of EVERY incident involving this bloke, so videotape, record, or simply report everything to the Laura police station even if it is weeks months or years later, Glen wants to know. he says the only way we can stop this guy is to charge him every time he does something wrong.
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Follow Up By: SIF4X4 - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 17:53

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 17:53
Thanks for the link, Tony. Looks like it will have to be in from the west.
Interestingly though, local knowledge (Chillagoe) says road is open past Palmerville Station. Will ring the Cook Shire Council in the morning.

Cheers

Spero
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Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 18:05

Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011 at 18:05
Spero - It very well could be.

You Travel North from Chillagoe direction to get to Palmerville, from there you can continue North up to the Kimba Road past Fairlight (Fairview - Always get them mixed up :-)

A few k before Palmerville is where you used to have to turn East to go to Maytown....This is what is still listed as Shut

It may still be an issue, so yes indeed do ring, you will get the right answer

Cheers Tony
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