Travelling to Diamantina NP from Windorah

Submitted: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:04
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Which is the best road to take coming from Windorah? The first turn about 64 Ks from the Birdsville intersection or the second up past Monkira.
Also for those that have been to Diamantina National Park what is the go with have a fire? Every one I have asked who have been there said they have had a fire but on their DERM web site they say fires prohibited.
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Reply By: The Landy - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:46

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:46
We have usually taken the turn-off along the Bedourie Road, and then north in to the park via Palparra Station. Also worth stopping at the old JC Hotel ruins not far from Canterbury Station, and not too far from Windorah.

This is a great park to visit, plenty to see and do, be sure to do the Warracoota Circuit Drive...

We have always had a small cooking fire when visiting, and I’m sure that is okay. I think they don’t want to see large open fires.

We have done a couple of blogs that covers this park, one of them can be found here. Outback Queensland & Gulf Savannah



Enjoy, The Landy
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 12:09

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 12:09
Thanks Landy much appreciated, will check out your blog to.
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Reply By: Member - Tezza Qld - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 18:48

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 18:48
Hi Bruce

The second turn off you refer to has a few large clay pans to cross so check the weather etc. I have always had a small fire and no problems.

We usually head for Gum Hole to camp as it is more enclosed than Hunters Gorge and the Warracoota Drive is definately worth the effort. Take some firewood and enjoy the park. Looks like you will be exiting towards Old Cork and this is a lovely drive. There use to be good camping at the back of Old Cork by the waterhole..

If I had more time off I would join you but enjoy.

Cheers Teza
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 20:23

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 20:23
Thanks Teza
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 05:55

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 05:55
2008









Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 06:39

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 06:39
Great photo's thanks Peter.
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Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 07:55

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 07:55
We came south from Boulia and can't remember the turns (in reverse). We camped at Hunter's Gorge and though we didn't have a fire, there were plenty of places where you can see people had fires.
Rangers hadn't been there for ages as the Self registration camping fee "mailbox" was chockers with enevelops and we couldn't put ours in.
Just remember it is a long way from anywhere, so do your fuel calculations and make sure you have enough Jerry Cans

Fantastic spot, our kids braved it and went swimming in July on a 30 degree day.
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 10:56

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 10:56
Thanks for the input Mark, have the fuel under control. If I run a bit short I will steal some off Sir Kev hahahahahaha.
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 15:42

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 15:42
Drive a Toyota and have great fuel economy Bruce hehehehe


Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 18:58

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 18:58
LOL and do not forget the extra jerry cans bro.
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Reply By: Big A - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 16:27

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 16:27
Long time since I was in that area, but I seem to remember that there was an inside and an outside track if you went up from Currawilla towards Palparara. On a RACQ map the inside track shows as a broken line that goes up through Farrars Creek. A bit further on the outside track goes up alongside Farrars Creek. Road trains used to use whichever one was the best to cart cattle from Davenport Downs to Quilpie.

Whichever way you go, it will take you past Palparara. There is a place on that road, on the way to Davenport that is featureless from horizon to horizon - not a bloody thing to relieve the scenery. (That was the only time I had encountered such a thing. More experienced traveller's may have seen plenty of nothing!)

The road at Monkira takes you up the other side of the Diamantina, but both ways will get you to Davenport, and thence to the Park.

A couple of times I took a road that turned off between Monkira and Cluny. It went up past Coorabulka, about where you turned off to go to Springvale and from there you could go east to the Park and be on the Gum Holes side.

I flew over a lot of the Lakes and Palparara when we were destocking that country. Would like to go back, but our old van would fall to bits. Too much trouble to camp!

I may be gilding the lily a bit, but I think one of the paddocks (Top Palparara) was 1000 square miles. It was certainly big!

Have a good trip!

"A".

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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 18:57

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 18:57
Thanks Big A, lot of history out there that's for sure.
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Reply By: Member - Justin O (QLD) - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 18:47

Friday, May 18, 2012 at 18:47
Bruce, we went in via Monkira and Davenport Downs and didn't see a soul. Basic black soil track only but in good nick.Image Could Not Be Found
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 20:25

Friday, May 18, 2012 at 20:25
Thanks Justin, I grew up in Barcaldine in the 60's so that photo brings back a lot of memories. But it has been a long time since I have travelled on this tracks.
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Follow Up By: Big A - Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 15:41

Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 15:41
Funny thing about "black soil" out there - it is not black, but grey or reddish. And as they say out there, you have to stick with it in the dry, because it sticks to you in the wet!
"A."
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 17:52

Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 17:52
Know that all to well A
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