This east west route commences at Gladstone and runs west to Springsure. It is dual lane and sealed with lots of
upgrading taking place between Calliope and Biloela in Nov. '06.
0 km (429.6 km) Gladstone.
[19.0 km] This section travelled, but distance not measured .. thus taken from a map.
19.0 km (410.6 km) Bruce Highway .. cross roads. For info on popular Calliope River rest area (just to the north see Brisbane
to Rockhampton section.
[1.0 km]
20.0 km (409.6 km) Calliope .. shops on road to the south.
[1.4 km]
21.4 km (408.2 km) Railway bridge .. pub, shops in vicinity.
[4.4 km]
25.8 km (403.8 km) Junction .. south side .. to Monto.
[50.0 km
75.8 km (353.8 km) Bottom of steep "climb" up range.
[1.4 km]
77.2 km (352.4 km) Lookout .. north side.
[0.4 km]
77.6 km (352.0 km) Top of the range.
[2.7 km]
80.3 km (349.3 km) Bell Creek. Approx. 200m west of bridge on the south side is an obscure track into a gravel pit some 70m
max. from highway. Road works in vicinity may change this spot.
[35.8 km]
116.1 km (313.5 km) Signed stopping bay .. north side .. adjacent to highway. Small gravel area at rear.
Class 2-. 24° 15.71' S. 150° 32.53' E. Hema map 9, J 10.
No shade, rubbish bin, 15m max to highway, OK big rigs, weak CDMA.
[10.8 km]
126.9 km (302.7 km) Junction .. south side .. to Callide power stations, mine and dam.
------------------------------
0 km .. turn off south for Callide Dam.
Camping at the Callide Dam is now prohibited by Sun Water apparently for potential polution problems as the dam
is the water source for Bileola. Apparently, there are long winded negotiations under way to reopen camping.
[7.8 km]
7.8 km Junction .. west side .. to Callide Dam wall. We travelled, following signs, to the day picnic area.
Lots of facilities, toilets etc., but signed "no camping".
[2.0 km]
9.8 km Mine entrance .. east (left) side.
[1.4 km]
11.2 km Callide A Mine .. east (left) side.
[0.1 km]
11.3 km Signed "Pelican Point" west (right) side immediately past elctrical complex. "No camping" sign at entrance!
[0.7 km]
12.0 km track junction .. take left track. The right track leads to a locked gate into a church camping area.
[0.5 km]
12.5 km Camp spot that we used .. about 150m from waters edge. Extremely extensive level grass area.
* Class 5. 24° 20.65' S. 150° 38.12' E. Hema map 9, J 10.
Little shade, bush fire places, just hear mine working, OK big rigs, weak TV, weak CDMA.
------------------------------
GLADSTONE to SPRINGSURE .. continued.
[7.8 km]
134.7 km (294.9 km) Junction .. south side .. turn into Valley View Drive .. Jim Hooper Park entrance 100m on left .. extensive
level grass areas amongst tree groves .. houses at rear. Sports Field and "no camping" sign further in.
* Class 3. 24° 23.19' S. 150° 31.61' E. Hema map 9, J 10.
Some shade, numerous WATER taps, 60m max from highway, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA, boggy in wet weather.
[2.3 km] Passing through BILOELA.
137.0 km (292.6 km) Junction .. south side before crossing railway line .. signed caravan parking on right side past info centre.
Convenient as Woolworths and shopping centre opposite, main streets south side of highway.
[0.1 km]
137.1 km (292.5 km) Junction .. south side over railway line .. Burnett Highway south to Thangool, Monto etc.
[1.1 km]
138.2 km (291.4 km) Turn off north (signed) for Silo museum complex, info centre and modern DUMP POINT.
DUMP POINT at northern end of parking area .. nice gardens in vicinity .. good spot for a meal break.
Supposed to be open 7 days a week, but gates closed ANZAC day morning 2004.
Class 5. 24° 24.254'S. 150° 30.063'E. (At gate). Hema map 9, J 10.
[0.3 km]
138.5 km (291.1 km) Junction .. Burnett Highway turns to the north, continue ahead for Dawson Highway to Banana etc.
100m to the north along the Burnett Highway is a signed truck parking .. west side .. large level dirt (pot holed
and dusty, particually at rear) area.
Class 3. 24° 29.19' S. 150° 34.47' E. Hema map 9, J 10.
No shade, rubbish bin, 35m from highway, OK big rigs.
[41.2 km]
179.7 km (249.9 km) Gravel pit noted .. north side .. 25m or more from highway.
[4.0 km]
183.7 km (245.9 km) Banana. Junction Leichardt Highway. Just before junction on south east side is Sutherland House .. a hall.
Limited parking around and adjacent to hall and toilet block.
Class 3. Hema map 9, K 9.
Toilets, no shade, 20m from highway, OK medium size rigs.
On the opposite side of Dawson Highway, in the acute angle junction with the Leichardt Highway is a park. Best parking
to east along side Leichardt Highway.
Class 2-. 24° 28.26" S. 150° 07.70' E. Hema map 9, K 9.
Covered table, no shade, WATER (medium length hose needed), coin BBQ, OK big rigs.
[0.8 km] Dawson and Leichardt Highways are concurrent over this distance.
184.5 km (245.1 km) Junction .. west side .. Leichardt Highway south continues ahead. Turn west for Dawson Highway to Moura etc.
[13.5 km]
198.0 km (231.6 km) Junction .. north side .. to Baralaba.
[5.2 km]
203.2 km (226.4 km) Junction .. south side .. entrance to park. Smallish sealed level circular parking bay.
Class 5. 24° 33.94' S. 149° 58.63' E. Hema map 9, K 9.
Toilets, covered tables, no shade, WATER (number of taps in park + on toilet block, long hose needed), BBQ, 60 from
highway, OK medium size rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
[0.1 km]
203.3 km (226.3 km) Junction .. north side before crossing railway line .. travel 200m to signed DUMP POINT on left.
24° 33.92' S. 149° 58.45' E. Hema map 9, K 9.
[0.7 km]
204.0 km (225.6 km) Post Office .. Moura.
[7.6 km]
211.6 km (218.0 km) DAWSON RIVER REST AREA .. southern side of the highway, eastern side of river. Large, essentially level
dirt area amongst trees. Apex Park in memorial to Peter Kerr.
Class 1. 14° 35.97' S. 149° 54.65" E. Hema map 9, K 9.
Toilets, showers, covered tables, shade, non potable river WATER, bush fire places + wood BBQ,s, rubbish bins, 100 m
max from highway, OK big rigs, no time limit noted, good TV, good CDMA, boat ramp.
[0.1 km]
211.7 km (217.9 km) Dawson River.
[9.3]
221.0 km (208.6 km) Gravel pit .. north side .. well off highway.
[13.2 km]
234.2 km (195.4 km) Gravel pit .. on corner .. south side.
[25.8 km]
260.0 km (169.6 km) Taroom .. south side. Small gravel pit on corner.
[18.9 km]
278.9 km (150.7 km) Junction .. north side .. to Dauringa.
[0.4 km]
279.3 km (150.3 km) Bauhina Downs.
[31.1 km]
310.4 km (119.2 km) Signed truck parking .. north side .. top of Expedition Range, 445m ASL. Slightly sloping gravel loop
off/on highway.
Class 2. 24° 38.33' S. 149° 01.05' E. Hema map 9, K 8.
Some shade, rubbish bins, 50m to highway, OK big rigs, no CDMA.
[45.5 km]
355.9 km (73.7 km) Junction .. north side .. to Blackwater. Park .. south side, east of Rolleston town.
Suggest park in side street 100m from highway. NB Caravan Park at end of street.
Class 3. 24° 27.82'S 148° 44'E. Hema map 8, J 7.
Toilets, tables, little shade, WATER, BBQ's, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, playground, park is popular with locals.
[0.8 km]
356.7 km (72.9 km) ROLLESTON town.
[0.6 km]
357.3 km (72.3 km) Junction .. south side .. northern extremity of Carnarvon Highway.
[2.3 km]
359.6 km (70.0 km) Signed stopping bays each side .. north side best .. sealed bay adjacent to highway.
Class 2 to 3. 24° 27.48" S. 148° 35.85' E. Hema map 8, J 7.
Covered table, some shade, rubbish bins, 25m from highway, OK big rigs, no time limit noted, good CDMA.
[31.5 km]
391.1 km (38.5 km) Large gravel pit noted .. north side .. 30m from highway.
[20.2 km]
411.3 km (18.3 km) STAIRCASE RANGE LOOK OUT/REST AREA. Top of range, east side. Medium size area, slightly sloping
in places.
Class 2. 24° 12.99'S 148° 12.18'E. 450 m. elevation. Hema map 8, J 7.
Covered table, little shade, rubbish bin, OK big rigs,50m max from highway/probably noisy, OK big rigs, weak CDMA.
[18.3 km]
429.6 km (0 km) Springsure Post Office. Most facilities available in town. Caravan Park, numerous "no camping" signs in
parks. Report 20 Oct. 2003 from a friend in Springsure is that it is possible to camp in the showgrounds .. follow
continuation of main street south over creek, up hill, turn right, next left past hospital, showground entrance
on right .. best parking near toilet block. Investigated Oct. '06.
* Class 2 (fee $15 first night, then 3 free nights). 24° 07.36'S. 148° 05.00E. Hema map 8, J 6.
Toilets, showers, some shade, good WATER, rubbish bins, quit, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA, power, washing machines.
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