KENNEDY HIGHWAY (THE LYND JUNCTION) to CAPT. COOK HIGHWAY (near Mossman).
VIA MOUNT GARNETT, RAVENSHOE, HERBERTON, ATHERTON, MAREEBA, Mt. MALLOY.
Most of this route is dual lane, sealed, but some single lane sealed in southern half.
NOTE: There are large road trains hauling mine products between The Lynd (and continuing south) and Mount Garnett.
In general, these trucks expect you to leave them the single lane sealed sections. Though, where the road edges are narrow,
both vehicles are forced to run with their left hand wheels in the dirt.
0 km (371.7 km) THE LYND JUNCTION. The Kennedy Highway runs from this point to just north of Cairns.
We detour via Herberton .. and we leave the Kennedy at Mareeba to take the route further north.
To the east of the above point, and trending south is the gravel Kennedy Development Road.
The "Oasis Roadhouse" (all facilities) is 2km along that road.
[28.9 km]
28.9 km (342.8 km) EIGHT MILE CREEK.
[67.0 km] Lots of single lane sealed.
95.9 km (275.8 km) JUNCTION .. Gulf Development Road to the west.
North of the junction on the eastern side is a large vehicle inpection bay. At the northern end of that inspection
bay and on the western side of highway, is a circular turning area .. that turning area is used, so do not park in it.
Immediately north of that turning bay is a track down into a reasonable size gravel pit. There are other tracks, both
north and south of that point also into the gravel pit. We parked overnight down in the gravel pit near the circular
turning area. It is a medium size level area.
* Class 2. 18° 08.28' S. 144° 48.74' E. Hema map 11, F 11.
No shade, bush fire places, 60m from highway, but some noise all night from mine trucks, OK big rigs, no time limit,
channel 10 and ABC TV, OK CDMA.
[4.0 km] 3.8 km of single lane.
99.9 km (271.8 km) FORTY MILE SCRUB REST AREA.
Class 2-. 18° 06.535'S. 144° 49.541'E. Hema map 11, F 11.
Toilets, covered table, little shade, 10m from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, weak CDMA.
Really just a parking bay adjacent to highway .. would be very noisy if overnighting.
[64.3 km] Intermittent single lane (approx 53 km) / dual lane (approx. 11 km) sections .. in Sept. 2006.
164.2 km (207.5 km) MOUNT GARNET .. shops, pub, Post Office, fuel.
[15.9 km] Intermittent single (approx 3.7 km) / dual lane (approx 12 km) sections .. in Sept. 2006.
180.1 km (191.6 km) INNOT HOT SPRINGS .. north side, west of bridge is caravan park/servo, hot spring
access. East side of bridge .. hotel / motel.
[13.0 km]
193.1 km (178.6 km) ARCHER CREEK REST AREA .. extensive flat grass area, south side.
* Class 2. 17° 38.802'S. 145° 20.885'E . Hema map 11, E 12.
Toilets, covered tables, shade, water from wash basins ? potable or from creek, fireplaces, rubbish bins.
50m from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, now signed 24 hours max. (in Sept. 2006), some TV, weak CDMA.
[16.6 km]
209.7 km (162.0 km) RAVENSHOE .. turn north.
-----------------------------
0 km .. turn off to Ravenshoe.
[0.4 km]
0.4 km INFORMATION CENTRE ..locals say motorhomes have parked in front of, and at the side of
the info. centre.
[0.5 km]
0.9 km Ascham Street to left .. leading to DUMP POINT (signed) 700 m on left side .. nicely accessible!
17° 36.90'S. 145° 28.857'E. Hema map 11, E 12. Potable water also available.
[0.2 km]
1.1 km Railway Station/museum complex .. left side .. overnight parking possible .. $5 pvpn fee/donation with power, $2 no power.
Large level grassy area near old station building .. limited powered spots .. easy walk to town.
Old wood fired steam loco "Capella" just restored, June '06. Train rides in process of being re-organised.
* Class 1 (fee). 17° 36.56' S. 145° 28.97' E. Hema map 11, E 12.
Toilets, limited shade, WATER, fireplace, rubbish bins, 100m from road, OK big rigs, no reasonable time limit
apparent, good TV, good CDMA, power. Cheapest fuel at servo opposite, cheapest gas refills at Mitre 10. (Sept. 2006).
[0.4 km]
1.5 km TULLEY FALLS HOTEL .. said to be highest hotel in Australia?.
Overnight parking possible behind hotel .. $3 single, $5 double .. small area.
Class 1 (fee). 17° 36.290'S. 145° 28.897'E. Hema map 11, E 12.
Toilets, showers, OK smallish rigs, book in at bar.
-----------------------------
KENNEDY HIGHWAY .. continued.
[4.8 km]
214.5 km (157.2 km) Turn right .. road to viewing area for wind generators. Windy Hill, elevation 1120 metres.
Wind generators visible from this section of highway.
[9.4 km]
223.9 km (147.8 km) Junction .. turn left for Atherton, Herberton etc. .. Palmerston Highway, Milla Milla etc ahead.
Palmerston Highway covered in Townsville to Cairns section.
[6.9 km]
230.8 (140.9 km) TUMOULIN .. turn west .. alternate route via highest bitumen road in Australia to Ravenshoe.
[2.0 km]
232.8 (138.9 km) Junction .. Kennedy Highway, Atherton etc. ahead .. for Wondecla, Herberton, turn west.
We travelled via Wondecla and Herberton.
[10.0 km]
242.8 km (128.9 km) Equestrian centre where we assisted with horse endurance ..large level grass area amongst trees.
Signed "for use by members only".
* Class 1 WITH INVITATION. 17° 25.76' S. 145° 23.90' E. Hema map 11, E 12.
Toilets & showers (normally locked), shade, WATER, rubbish bins, 60m from road, OK big rigs,
no time reasonable limit with invitation, good TV, good CDMA.
[2.2 km]
245.0 km (126.7 km) WONDECLA. "NO CAMPING" sign at showgrounds.
[2.9]
247.9 km (123.8 km) HERBERTON .. John street .. turn west .. 200m down hill to Railway Station.
Class 3. 17° 23.138'S. 145° 23.105'E. Hema map 11, E 12.
Park behind or at ends of historical station building, water, no shade, rubbish bins.
OK medium size rigs, ? area used at times, so Class 4 area may be more appropriate.
Opposite where John Street turns off the main road, is a signed "temporary motor home parking" area.
This appears to be the sloping parking area at the beginning of the various walking trails.
[0.1 km]
248.0 km (123.7 km) Post office on western side. Just past Post Office on eastern side and before the Royal Hotel is the
side entrance to the parking area behind the hotel where we met the local CMCA Chapter. Only suitable small/medium
size rigs.
* Class 2 with publicans permission. 17° 23.031'S 145° 23.191'E. Hema map 11 E 12.
? some facilities at hotel, suggest patronise hotel, had a great steak meal there!
[0.5 km]
248.5 km (123.2 km) IRVINEBANK turn off .. about 33 km, 50% sealed, 50% garvel road.
Good overnight parking reported behind hotel at Irvinebank. Info, June '06, hotel has changed hands.
[18.2 km] Part of this section is down the range .. steep sections.
266.7 km (105.0 km) Atherton Post Office. Straight ahead for Tolga, Mareeba, turn east for Malanda.
Turn right at next roundabout (through bulk of town centre) for Woolworths and Big "W". Turn left at same
roundabout for good parking spot near railway and at rear of shops. Ahead at roundabout for highway north.
[0.8 km]
267.5 km (104.2 km) Rotary Park Rest Area .. right side over bridge.
Class 5. Hema map 11, D 12.
Toilets, tables, shade, rubbish bins, 20m max. from highway, SMALL rigs only as overhanging trees/small area.
[3.5 km]
Highway passes through Tolga Shrub.
271.0 km (100.7 km) TOLGA SPORTS GROUND .. REST AREA .. southern end near tennis courts. NOTE "NO CAMPING" sign July '06.
Class 2. 17° 28.735'S 145° 28.734'E. Hema map 11, D 12.
Toilets, tables, some shade (morning only), water, rubbish bins, 30m max. from 80kph
highway, OK big rigs (but small area), fruit and vegie stall almost opposite.
[0.9 km]
271.9 km (99.8 km) TOLGA .. shopping centre on cross street.
Turn east for Kairi, Tinaroo.
-----------------------------
0 km turn off to Kairi.
[6.8 km]
6.8 km left turn for Kairi.
[0.6 km]
7.4 km Kairi Post Office and store. Info from other traveller, July '06, is that it is possible to park
overnight in Lions Park opposite hotel .. which appreciates custom. Guess hotel is near post Office.
[5.1 km]
12.5 km TINAROO LOOKOUT .. turn left .. 600m to lookout .. parked overnight.
* Class 3. 17° 10.738'S 145° 32.110'E. El. 780 metres. Hema map 11, D 12.
No facilities, large paved turning area, OK big rigs, good TV.
[1.4 km]
13.9 km Caravan Park .. left side, day parking opposite.
[0.2 km]
14.1 km Lamb Street .. veer right .. follow around to right .. road leads to a tongue of land
protruding into the lake .. boat ramp to right, lots of open land, ? possible to park overnight.
Continue ahead at Lamb Strret turn off for Dam wall .. suitable day parking noted, but didn't
consider area suitable for overnight parking.
-----------------------------
KENNEDY HIGHWAY .. continued at Tolga.
[5.8 km]
277.7 km (94.0 km) WAR MEMORIAL PARK (Rocky Creek) .. east side.
Memorials to the large number of military units which served in this area during WW II. A large 3,000 bed
military hospital was also situated on this site. Large, slightly sloping grassy parking area to the south.
The area closer to the highway and to the right of the parking area track is suggested if any chance of rain.
The down hill side where we parked is black soil and vehicles have been bogged.
* Class 2+. 17° 10.903'S. 145° 27.362'E. Hema map 11, D 12.
Toilets, covered tables, little shade, signed non potable WATER, fire places, rubbish bins, 150m max. from 100 kph
highway, OK big rigs, strictly policed 72 hours in 1 week period, good TV, good CDMA, gold coin donation per night.
[7.0 km]
284.7 km (87.0 km) WALKAMIN.
[7.4 km]
292.1 km (79.6 km) Junction .. western side .. to Mareeba airport and War Birds aviation museum (has restored and flyable
aircraft plus rebuiding other aircraft) fee $7.50 per person .. quite interesting.
[1.8 km]
293.9 km (77.8 km) BECKS MILITARY MUSEUM .. eastern side. Heaps and heaps of equipment plus aircraft. Hours 10am to 4pm,
entry fee .. plenty of parking space for big rigs.
[4.6 km]
298.5 km (73.2 km) CAIRNS (Kennedy Highway) turn east. We continued ahead.
[0.2 km]
298.7 km (73.0 km) INFORMATION CENTRE .. Museum (fee) east side.
Good day parking area, OK big rigs (drive through). Also, day parking opposite side of road.
[1.5 km]
300.2 km (71.5 km) PARKING BAY for caravans & motorhomes .. west side, opposite Coles.
Turn west at next roundabout for DUMPOINT in Doyle St. .. opposite western side of Leagues Club.
Good meals in Leagues Club .. lunches $6 in July '06. Annual mini CMCA rally held in this football field.
16° 59.703'S. 145° 24.828'E. Hema map 11, D 12.
Great looking paddock at rear of dumpoint, but info is local aboriginals camp down on river bank. We have seen
broken beer bottle around dumpoint, so suggest do not overnight in this area.
[0.8 km]
301.0 km (70.7 km) MAREEBA Post Office .. and shopping centre.
[0.9 km]
301.9 km (69.8 km) Junction .. west side .. ahead for points north, turn west for DIMBULAH, CHILLAGOE etc.
-------------------------------
0 km turning west towards Dimbulah.
[3.0 km]
3.0 km Mareeba Rodeo Ground .. north side. Very extensive level grassed area.
* Class 1 (fee). 16° 59.46' S. 145° 23.63' E. Hema map 11, D 12.
Toilets, hot showers, no shade, WATER (though note it was discoloured at times July '06), rubbish bins,
quiet in rear area, OK big rigs, no time limit, good TV, good CDMA, power, fee (2 persons) $10 pvpn.
[30.6 km]
33.6 km Mutchilba .. store, Post Office etc. across railway line to the south.
[11.9 km]
45.5 km Dimbula .. day parking area opposite hotel near railway line .. good CDMA.
Turn right into Stephens Street then 1.9 km to Walsh River .. tracks down along river suitable 4 WD vehicles.
[9.2 km]
54.7 km Eureka Creek camp spot .. large level grass area signed "no camping, use facility (van park!) at Dimbulah".
* Class 3+ (due to old "no camping" sign). 17° 11.21' S. 145° 02.48' E. Hema map 11, D 12.
Shade, WATER from creek, fireplaces, rubbish bins, 50m max from road, OK big rigs, usuable TV, weak CDMA. Local
farmer, some council employees have no hassle with people staying .. great spot .. we, and others stayed 5 nights.
[21.6 km]
76.3 km Emu Creek.
[2.4 km]
78.7 km Petford .. store and Post Office. Junction gravel road south to Emuford, Irvinebank etc.
Signed "not suitable for caravans".
[30.8 km]
109.5 km Almaden. Pub apparently allows overnight parking. Carvan park to south of town.
[13.1 km]
122.6 km Gravel pit .. south side.
[19.7 km]
142.3 km Chillagoe Post Office. Info Centre, "The Hub", gives info on commercial parking spots, but the Rodeo
Ground is apparently available year round .. pay $5.50 pppn at The Hub. Continue west from "The Hub" past shop,
next road left, continue about 1 km, through gate on right to large level grass area NORTH of actual Rodeo ring.
* Class 2. 17° 09.44' S. 144° 30.82' E Hema map 11, D 11.
Toilets, hot showers (donkey boiler), little shade, WATER (hard), fireplaces, rubbish bins, quiet, OK big rigs,
good TV, no CDMA. In our opinion, there is large ammounts of ground in and around Chillagoe and self contained
vehicles should be able to free camp. Controversy exists about parking at rear of either hotel .. enquire.
-------------------------------
KENNEDY HIGHWAY .. continued.
[1.9 km]
303.8 km (67.9 km) TRUCK PARKING BAY .. east side .. long sealed road section between highway and railway line.
Class 3 to 4. 16° 58.10'S. 145° 24.88'E. Hema map 11, D 12.
Some shade, rubbish bins, 25m max to highway, 10m from railway, OK big rigs, weak CDMA.
[5.8 km]
309.6 km (62.1 km) BIBOOHRA.
[13.2 km]
322.8 km (48.9 km) INSPECTION BAYS .. both sides .. ? possible parking on land behind eastern one.
[18.4 km]
341.2 km (30.5 km) MOUNT MALLOY .. General store, cafe, pub.
[1.0 km]
342.2 km (29.5 km) MOUNT MALLOY .. (popular) REST AREA .. west side, just south of single lane bridge over
Rifle Creek. Large level area amongst trees.
* Class 2. 16° 39.98' S. 143° 13.70' E. Hema map 11 , C 12.
Toilets, cold showers, covered tables, shade, WATER (? potable, though people drinking it.), fireplaces, rubbish
bins, 50m max. from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, signed 48 hours max., good ABC TV, no CDMA, casette dump point.
[0.4 km]
342.6 km (29.1 km) JUNCTION .. ahead for Cooktown, turn north east for Mossman.
Mount Malloy to Cooktown section covered sepeately.
[3.5 km]
346.1m (25.6 km) HUNTERS CREEK .. Enviromental Park.
[0.3 km]
346.4 km (25.3 km) ABITORS SWAMP .. small parking area signed "NO CAMPING".
[16.1 km]
Road starts to decend heading north.
362.5 km (9.2 km) Look Out .. north side
[1.2 km]
363.7 km (8.0 km) Look Out .. north side.
[8.0 km]
371.7 km ( 0 km) JUNCTION .. Captain Cook Highway. West for Mossman, east for Pt. Douglas.
To send an e-mail to Ron, use the "Back to RONS HOMEPAGE" facility below.
There is a "Send an e-mail to Ron" link at the bottom of that HOMEPAGE.
Back to Rons home page.