Current Road Status
INFORMATION PROVIDED AS A GUIDE ONLY - CHANGES CAN OCCUR RAPIDLY
As at 23 JANUARY 2012
Most roads within Cook Shire currently have a 5 tonne GVM limit. 4WD vehicles with a high road clearance are recommended at this time of year. If you require a permit to transport goods, please contact Council on 07 4069 5444.
The Rossville-Bloomfield Road remains OPEN .
RINYIRRU (LAKEFIELD) NATIONAL PARK (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land) is CLOSED until after the wet season. It is not expected to re-open before mid-May 2012.
Road conditions change quickly when roads are wet and can become very slippery. Slow down, pot holes and corrugations increase following wet weather, drive according to prevailing road conditions. SLOW DOWN when coming off a bitumen road onto a dirt road. Fatalities have occurred with vehicles losing control when travelling too fast, particularly smaller vehicles. During the wet season rivers and creeks can rise quickly, washouts can occur and cause road closures without notice.
Definition : LOCAL TRAFFIC : means you must live or work in the immediate area (ie on that road, not just within the Shire). This usually only applies during the 'wet season'.
PENINSULA DEVELOPMENTAL ROAD (PDR) from Lakeland to Weipa - updates by Department of Transport and Main Roads for Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR). The system for obtaining permits to access the road during the 2011/12 wet season has changed, see here for more information. For the latest information on road conditions phone Ph: 131940 or visit www.131940.qld.gov.au
Do not disobey 'ROAD CLOSED' signs as you void all insurances in the event of an accident. You can also be fined by Queensland Police Service and lose points off your licence.
RINYIRRU (Lakefield) NATIONAL PARK (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land) - is CLOSED until after the wet season. It is not expected that the park will re-open prior to mid-May 2012. For Camping Bookings contact Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) : Ph 1300 130 372. Enquiries to : Ph 07 4060 3271 (Cairns). The road to Bathurst Head is not maintained by Council. Vehicles travel at their own risk.
CAPE MELVILLE NATIONAL PARK - is CLOSED until after the wet season. Contact QPWS for further information or for a permit . Enquiries to : Ph 07 4060 3271 (Cairns) or Ph 07 4069 5777 (Cooktown). For camping bookings Ph 1300 130 372.
MT WEBB-WAKOOKA ROAD north of Cape Flattery turnoff is CLOSED until after the wet season. This includes the road to Stracke River and the boat ramp. When open - this is a 4WD "Adventure Track" for experienced 4WD drivers only. Self-sufficient recovery gear and communication to outside emergency services (satellite phone) MANDATORY. Because of the isolation of this area - ensure others know your expected date of return. Carry first-aid; safety equipment and extra supplies. Best to travel with more than one vehicle.
McIVOR ROAD - CLOSED. The road into the Starcke River boat ramp is closed.
CREB TRACK - For information refer to Cairns Regional Council on 07 4044 3044 or 1800 070 444.
GRASSY HILL - Not suitable for caravans or RVs - bitumen surface, but very steep and narrow in parts. COACHES - 7 metres is maximum length for coaches (usually 22 seaters), otherwise there is not enough room to turn around.
Cape York Road Status Reports
| 1. Area |
Cape Tribulation to Wujal Wujal (Coastal Road) |
|
| Road Name: | Bloomfield Road or 'Bloomfield Track' | |
| Current Status: |
Bloomfield River Crossing - subject to flooding. Large 4WD vehicles recommended. If water levels are high and running fast - do not cross. Contact Cairns Regional Council for details - Ph 40443326. |
|
| General Description: |
Dirt road with some creek crossings subject to flooding. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
|
| Contact: | Cairns Regional Council - Customer Service Centre at Mossman. (07) 4099 9444 | |
| 4. Area |
Archer Point |
| Road Name: | Archer Point Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN with a 5 tonne GVM limit. Large 4WD vehicles recommended. |
| General Description: | Dirt road can be slippery and boggy when wet. Creek crossing subject to flooding. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
|
|
|
| Road Name: | Esk Valley Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN with a 5 tonne GVM limit. Large 4WD vehicles recommended. |
| General Description: | Dirt road can be slippery when wet. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
| 5. Area |
Cooktown to Hope Vale |
| Road Name: | Endeavour Valley Road including McIvor Road |
| Current Status: |
OPEN - 4WD vehicle recommended during the wet season. |
| General Description: | Bitumen and dirt road. Drive according to prevailing conditions - potholes and corrugations in some areas. Dirt section of the road can be slippery when wet. |
| Contact: | Department of Transport and Main Roads - Ph: 131940 OR |
| Website: | www.131940.qld.gov.au |
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|
| Road Name: |
Isabella/McIvor Road |
| Open with a 5 tonne GVM - large 4WD vehicles recommended. Permit enquiries - contact Cook Shire Council - 07 4069 5444. |
|
| Road Name: | McIvor Road - to Starcke River boat ramp |
| Current Status: |
CLOSED until after wet season - When open large 4WD vehicles recommended. |
| Road Name: | Cameron Creek Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN with a 5 tonne GVM limit - 4WD vehicle recommended when wet. |
| General Description: | Dirt road can be slippery when wet. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
| 9. Area |
Cooktown to Lakeland Downs |
| Road Name: | Mulligan Highway (previously named Cooktown Developmental Road) |
| Current Status: | OPEN to all traffic. |
| General Description: | Bitumen road. Beware of wallabies and cattle, particularly early morning and late afternoon. |
| Contact: | Department of Transport and Main Roads Ph: 131940 |
| Website: | www.131940.qld.gov.au |
| 10. Area |
Lakeland to Laura |
| Road Name: | Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) 90C - Laura |
| Contact: |
This road comes under the control of the Dept of Transport and Main Roads - please check with their website for closures and information - www.131940.qld.gov.au or phone 131940. Permit enquiries - contact Dept of Transport and Main Roads 07 4050 5406. |
| General Description: | Mainly bitumen road, with some dirt sections - drive according to prevailing conditions. Laura River crossing before bridge at Laura is subject to flooding after heavy rain. |
| 11. Area |
Laura to Coen |
| Road Name | Peninsula Developmental Road (Coen) |
| Contact: |
Subject to a 5 tonne GVM limit. Check with Department of Transport and Main Roads website - www.131940.qld.gov.au or phone 131940. Permit enquiries - contact Dept of Transport and Main Roads 07 4050 5406. |
| 12. Area |
Coen to Weipa |
| Road Name | Peninsula Developmental Road |
| Contact: |
Subject to a 5 tonne GVM limit. Check with Department of Transport and Main Roads website - www.131940.qld.gov.au or phone 131940. Permit enquiries - contact Dept of Transport and Main Roads 07 4050 5406. |
| Website | www.131940.qld.gov.au |
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|
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| 13. Area |
Kimba/Palmerville/Maytown Roads |
| Road Name: | Kimba Road (west of Laura to Kimba-Gamboola Rd junction) |
| Current Status: | OPEN - with care. Large 4WD vehicles recommended. 5 tonne legal load limit. |
| General Description: | Dirt road - slow down if wet. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Road Name | Kimba-Gamboola Rd (through King Junction) |
| Current Status: | OPEN - 5 tonne GVM limit past King Junction to Cook Shire boundary only. Tableland Regional Council is responsible for the remainder of the road which is currently closed. Please contact Tableland Regional Council for further information.Ph: (07) 4030 3900. |
| General Description: | Dirt road - washouts have occurred road is not passable at this time. |
| Road Name: | Dixie-Kimba Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN - with care. Large 4WD vehicles recommended. 5 tonne legal load limit. |
| General Description: | Dirt road - slow down if wet. Rough condition - drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council - (07)4069 5444 |
|
|
|
| Road Name: | Kimba and Killarney Road |
| Current Status: |
OPEN - with care. Large 4WD recommended. 5 tonne legal load limit. |
| eneral Description: | Dirt road - slow down if wet. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
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|
|
| Road Name: | Welcome Road - Laura |
| Current Status: | OPEN - with 5 tonne GVM limit - large 4WD vehicles recommended. |
| General Description: | Dirt road - subject to changing conditions in wet season. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
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|
|
| Road Name: | Palmerville Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN - with 5 tonne GVM limit - large 4WD vehicles only. You can now access Maytown from 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: | OPEN with 5 tonne GVM limit from Palmerville Station across to Maytown. |
| General Description: | Dirt road - deep sandy creek crossings. Drive according to prevailing conditions. Subject to closure at short notice. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
| 14. Area |
Whites Creek Road to Maytown |
| Road Name: | White Creek Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN with 5 tonne GVM limit - Large high clearance 4WD vehicles only. Subject to closure at short notice. 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 |
Captain Billy's Turnoff to Jardine Ferry |
|
| Road Name: | Bamaga Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN - with a 5 tonne GVM limit. Large 4WD vehicles recommended. |
| General Description: | Dirt road can be slippery when wet - conditions change with heavy rain. Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
| 20. Area |
Portland Roads Rd (including Chilli Beach) |
| Road Name: | Portland Roads Rd to Wenlock River |
| Current Status: | OPEN - with a 5 tonne GVM limit. Large 4WD vehicles recommended. |
| General Description: | Dirt road can be slippery when wet. Drive according to prevailing conditions. River crossings subject to flooding after heavy rains. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
| 22. Area |
Kowanyama |
|
| Road Name: | Dunbar turn-off to Kowanyama | |
| Current Status: | Please check with Carpentaria Shire Council. | |
| General Description: |
Unsealed road / black soil country. |
|
| Contact: | Carpentaria Shire Council (07) 4745 2200 | |
| 23. Area |
Mt Amos Road |
| Road Name: | Mt Amos Road/Gampie Drive |
| Current Status: | OPEN - Large 4WD vehicles recommended - roadworks in progress. |
| General Description: | Dirt road can be slippery when wet. Drive according to prevailing conditions. Care needs to be taken at culverts. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
| 24. Area |
Quarantine Bay |
| Road Name: | Quarantine Bay Road |
| Current Status: | OPEN - bitumen road. Steep ascent at far end - not suitable for caravans. |
| General Description: | Drive according to prevailing conditions. |
| Contact: | Cook Shire Council (07) 4069 5444 |
