This is the Flinders Highway, west from Townsville to Cloncurry. It essentially parallels the railway
line. It is dual lane, sealed, and in reasonable condition .. with some overtaking lanes, some truck
parking bays adjacent to highway.
0 km (791.3 km) TOWNSVILLE. The Flinders Highway is taken to commence at the southern
outskirts of Townsville at Racecourse and University Roads .. which are essentially the
Bruce Highway. Initially, the highway travels in a southern direction.
[7.2 km]
7.2 km (784.1 km) Heavy vehicle rest area .. west side. Caltex servo.
[27.0 km]
34.2 km (757.1 km) WOODSTOCK .. to the west of the highway.
Turn east for shortcut (32 km) to Bruce Highway near Giru.
[11.9 km]
46.1 km (745.2 km) CALCIUM (Mobil) ROADHOUSE .. east side. Friut and vegeables available. Not so, May '06.
Normally, good fuel prices. Suggest possible to park overnight with permission.
[6.8 km]
52.9 km (738.4 km) Signed .. REID RIVER REST AREA. Sealed road into 2 sealed turning loops with large level
dirt/gravel parking areas adjacent. 200m west of highway, eastern side of river.
* Class 2. 19° 45.406'S 146° 50.038'E . Hema map 11, J 14.
Toilets, covered tables, some shade, bore WATER + water softener, fireplaces, rubbish bins, 150m from
both highway and railway (some noise), OK big rigs, signed "20 hours max, penatlies apply", good TV, good CDMA.
Toilets & shelter lit at night, well maintained (main roads site) by daily visits of friendly cleaner .. May '06
[28.3 km]
Highway accends Mingela Range with Mingela turn off at the top.
81.2 km (710.1 km) MINGELA turn off to south east.
-----------------------------
0 km .. turn off to Mingella / Ravenswood.
[1.1 km]
1.1 km MINGELLA TOWN .. road loops back onto highway further west. Turn south east (left) for Ravenswood .. signposted.
---------------
Toilets and small parking area just along road to highway further west .. north side.
Class 3-. 19° 52.71' S. 146° 38.01' E. Hema map 8, B 4.
Toilets, no shade, 10m max to road, barely OK big rig.
Travelling further along that road is "closed down" pub and Post Office on the left .. one then crosses the railway
line .. police station on the right .. then a medium size gravel parking bay on the left .. further 100m to highway.
Class 2 to 3. 19° 52.52' S. 146° 37.89' E. Hema map 8, B 4.
No shade, rubbish bin, 30m max to road, OK big rigs.
---------------
CONTINUING SOUTH EAST towards RAVENSWOOD AT JUNCTION ABOVE.
[38.2 km]
39.3 km TOP CAMP .. Fuel, caravan park, cabins.
[0.5 km]
39.8 km RAVENSWOOD .. turn left .. sign posted. Continue ahead for Burdekin Dam.
[1.5 km]
41.3 km RAVENSWOOD POST OFFICE.
[0.6 km]
41.9 km SHOWGROUND .. council run large level, grassy camping area with caretaker.
* Class 1+ (fee), 20° 05.818'S 146° 53.545'E. Hema map 11, J 14.
Toilets, hot showers, tables, shade, WATER, fireplaces, rubbish bins, 100m from road, OK big rigs, very
large area, $6 night per unit, signed 7 night limit but caretaker Woody is normally generous with longer stays,
power and water hookup possible, TV reception somewhat marginal, CDMA OK.
It is possible to continue past Ravenswood to the Burdekin Dam .. 80 km. Follow signs.
The boat ramp (signed) is on the right and 3 km before the dam.
There is a caravan park, $10 per night per van, with good facilities .. toilets, hot showers, laundry with washing
machines and driers, free electric BBQ's, pool and tennis courts. Emphasis is given to the fact that other camping is
illegal! Info from a current brochure and a visit, by car, 3 years ago.
The road continues, via the bottom of the dam wall (so it's not passable when the dam spillway is in use) to grass areas
on the other side .. probably illegal camping also! From there, its possible to travel to Collinsville and Mt. Coolon via
gravel roads.
-----------------------------
TOWNSVILLE WEST .. continued.
Back on highway at first Mingella turn off.
[1.0 km]
82.2 km (709.1 km) Second Mingella turn off .. loops back through Mingela town to first Mingella turn off .. see above.
[25.2 km]
107.4 km (683.9 km) MACROSSAN turn off to the south. BIVOUAC JUNCTION turn north.
-----------------------------
Turning south from highway for Macrossan.
1.2 km south .. MACROSSAN REST AREA ..large (often dusty), level "top side" area with loop road down and along
river bank, rail bridge to the south, road bridge to the north .. about 500m apart, so some noise from both.
* Class 2. 20° 00.150'S. 146° 26.301'E. Hema map 11, J 14.
Toilets, covered tables, no shade, water .. non potable, fire places, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, no time limit,
no TV from river bank .. barely passable on "top side" area, weak CDMA "top side".
-----------------------------
Turning north from highway for Bivouac Junction.
3.1 km north .. BIVOUAC JUNCTION caravan park and cabins.
* Class 1 (fee). 19° 54.004'S. 146° 26.039'E. Hema map 11, J 14.
Toilets, showers, tables, shade, water, rubbish bins, quiet, dusty. On bank of Fanning
River near its confluence with the Burdekin .. swimming, fishing, red claw. TV OK.
-----------------------------
TOWNSVILLE WEST .. continued.
[0.6 km]
108.0 km (683.3 km) BURDEKIN RIVER .. centre of bridge.
[2.8 km]
110.8 km (680.5 km) Road house, caravan park .. north side.
[14.9 km]
125.7 km (665.6 km) Heavy vehicle bypass (for CHARTERS TOWERS) .. veer left.
------------------------------
Taking the heavy vehicle bypass ..
[1.9 km]
1.9 km Signed REST AREA on left (eastern) side at restored "mine head" .. large level sealed area.
? if legal overnight area, we did overnight, parking behind the mone structure, without problem!
* Class 3?. 20° 04.34' S. 146° 16.61' E. Hema map 8, B 4.
Toilets, no shade, WATER (at dump point), rubbish bins, 60m max to bypass road (some noise), OK big rigs,
good TV, good CDMA, accessible (for a change) dump point.
[0.9 km]
2.8 km Junction .. turn west (right) pass over railway line and Charters Towers main street is ahead.
[distance not measured]
Continuing ahead the bypass road joins the main (original) highway where that highway enters from the right
across the railway bridge.
------------------------------
TAKING THE ROUTE THROUGH THE TOWN CENTRE (not heavy vehicle bypass) AND FOLLOWING THE SIGNS.
[3.4 km]
129.1 km (662.2 km) THE LYND JUNCTION .. turn north.
[1.2 km]
130.3 km (661.0 km) CHARTERS TOWERS .. Post Office .. east side.
DUMP POINT is located inside showgrounds .. north west of the town centre .. suggested
access via Mary Street. 20° 04.322'S. 146° 15.100'E. western end of grounds
opposite new looking mens toilet block. Dead end street means reversing in or out.
Reports say all water available from taps in showgrounds is normal town water .. thus potable.
PARKING .. there is signed caravan parking available in Hogkinson Street .. next street
south of, and parallel to Gill (the main) street. The street to the north of Gill Street
is Ryan Steet .. Woolworths supermarket and angle parking .. though we, and others, parked
parallel to the kerb in less busy areas of that street.
[0.5 km]
130.8 km (660.5 km) Woolworths discount fuel .. east side.
[1.2 km]
132.0 km (659.3 km) Bridge across railway line and heavy vehicle bypass enters from the east.
[1.7 km]
133.7 km (657.6 km) Was Shell, now Mobil road house .. south side. Large reasonably level sealed parking area .. road
trains use area to turn. Best parking south east corner as far off sealed area as possible.
* Class 2. 20° 05.840'S. 146° 15.231'E. Hema map 8, B 4.
Toilets, showers, little shade, water, rubbish bins, coin laundry, public phone at servo, good TV, good CDMA,
CMCA sticker noted (? fuel discount .. take membership card and try). Note May '06 .. when was Shell, ? now Mobil.
Mechanical workshop next door .. to the west.
[1.8 km] Towards the western end of this sector, on the north side, are the Cattle Sale Yards where, according to info
from other travellers, it is possible to stay overnight .. ? for a fee.
135.5 km (655.8 km) Junction .. Gregory Development Road .. Clermont .. to south.
[38.7 km]
174.2 km (617.1 km) BALFE's CREEK .. covered table, pub, caravan park.
[31.7 km]
205.9 km (585.4 km) HOMESTEAD .. pub, servo, meals.
[15.9 km]
221.8 km (569.5 km) CAMPASPE RIVER .. rest area .. south side. Large level dirt area between highway and
railway. Signed 20 hours maximum.
* Class 2. 20° 26.490'S. 145° 31.983'E. Hema map 8, C 3.
Toilets, covered tables, some shade, water, rubbish bins, wood BBQ, OK big rigs,
50m max from both 100 kph highway and railway. Good TV, marginal CDMA.
[7.3 km]
229.1 km (562.2 km) Cape River.
[10.1 km]
239.2 km (552.1 km) PENTLAND .. railway station.
[29.6 km]
268.8 km (522.5 km) LOOK OUT .. south side. Small level gravel parking area adjacent to highway.
Class 2-. 20° 42.874'S. 145° 42.874'E. Hema map 8, C 2.
Covered table, rubbish bin, OK big rigs, 25m max. from 100 kph highway.
[1.2 km]
270.0 km (521.3 km) Truck parking area .. signed .. south side. Fairly level dusty, dirty area.
Class 2-. 20° 43.190'S. 145° 12.885'E. Hema map 8, C 2.
Very little shade, OK big rigs, 30m max from 100 kph highway.
[21.5 km]
291.5 km (499.8 km) TORRENS CREEK .. parking along roadside, south side of highway. Pub and caravan park
opposite to west. No camping sign.
Class 5. 20° 46.211'S. 145° 01.175'E. Hema map 8, C 2.
Table, water (tap behind tree), OK big rigs, weak CDMA.
[45.6 km]
337.1 km (454.2 km) PRAIRIE .. Murdoch Street .. north side. Lions Park on corner with covered table.
At rear .. medium size level dusty area suitable for parking.
Class 2. 20° 52.228'S. 144° 36.169'E. Hema map 8, C 1.
Toilet, covered table, some shade, OK big rigs, 50m max from 60 kph highway.
[0.2 km]
337.3 km (454.0 km) PRAIRIE Hotel .. north side. Sign saying caravans and campers welcome.
Checked .. not much space available at rear of hotel.
[44.6 km]
381.9 km (409.4 km) Hughenden Rotary rest area .. north side. Parking on road verge only. No camping sign .. fines!
Class 5. 20° 51.00' S. 144° 12.00' E. Hema map 8, C 1.
Toilets, covered tables, WATER, BBQ, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 5m max from 60 kph highway.
Travelling north west, one crosses the railway line .. the next 2 streets to the south east are signed to Winton,
to dump point, and to caravan park. We took this road to Winton .. see (near) MORVAN to CLONCURRY ..
LANDSBOROUGH (MATILDA) HIGHWAY section.
[0.7 km]
382.6 km (408.7 km) HUGHENDEN. Signed "NO CAMPING in whole of Hughenden township .. fines!"
[1.6 km]
384.2 km (407.1 km) Rest area .. Apex Park .. north side. Driver reviver at times. NO CAMPING signs .. fines.
Class 5. 20° 50.504'S. 144° 11. 087'E. Hema map 8, C 1.
Toilets, covered tables, some shade, WATER, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 40m max from 60 kph highway.
[1.4 km]
385.6 km (405.7 km) "Lights on the Hill" roadhouse .. north side. Large gravel area to the east which is
road train parking area. ? OK (known others) to overnight on edge of area.
Class 3. 20° 50.402'S. 144° 10.478'E. Hema map 8, C 1.
Showers, toilets at roadhouse, no shade, dusty, OK big rigs, 80m max from 100 kph highway.
[65.1 km]
450.7 km (340.6 km) Rest area .. signed .. south side. Sealed loop off/on highway with extra dirt area
to the west and at the rear.
* Class 2. 20° 51.547'S. 143° 34.102'E. Hema map 11, K 10.
Toilets, covered tables, no shade, limited water in wash basin, rubbish bins, 100m max from 100 kph highway
in rear section, OK big rigs, no TV, no CDMA.
[47.5 km]
498.2 km (293.1 km) Turn of highway, 100m to Lake Fred Fritton playground on edge of new lake. No camping sign.
Class 5. 20° 44.336'S. 143° 08.926'E. Hema map 11, K 9.
Toilets, water, BBQ, rubbish bins, OK medium size rigs.
[1.1 km]
499.3 km (292.0 km) Rest area .. signed .. east side. Sealed loop down hill off/on highway. No camping sign.
Class 5. 20° 44.011'S. 143° 08.716'E. Hema map 11, K 9.
Toilets, covered tables, no shade, water (tap in middle of park), rubbish bins, OK big rigs,
50m max from 60 kph highway, good CDMA. Caravan park next door to the south.
[0.2 km]
499.5 km (291.8 km) RICHMOND .. main Street ahead (north), turn west for Julia Creek.
[0.5 km]
500.0 km (291.3 km) Roadhouse .. set back, north side. Park between it and highway with "NO CAMPING" sign.
Class 5. 20° 44.076'S. 143° 08.315'E. Hema map 11, K 9.
Shower and toilet at roadhouse. Covered table, no shade, rubbish bin, OK big rigs, 50m max
from 80 kph highway.
[50.4 km]
550.4 km (240.9 km) Rest area .. signed .. north side. Sealed loop off/on highway.
Class 2. 20° 43.392'S. 142° 40.667'E. Hema map 11, K 8.
Toilets, covered tables, no shade, water, wood BBQ, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 50m max from
100 kph highway, CDMA OK.
[16.4 km]
566.8 km (224.5 km) Track noted to north to shaded area .. looks similar to other side of creek. Railway line just to north.
[0.4 km]
567.2 km (224.1 km) Boundry Creek .. water hole noticed to the north.
[0.2 km]
567.4 km (223.9 km) Turn off north ( no sign) across culvet to graded track leading to series of open level areas.
* Class 2. 20° 41.85'S. 142° 31.46'E. Hema map 11, K 8.
Little shade, OK big rigs, 150m max from 100 kph highway, no TV, CDMA OK. Would be boggy in wet weather.
[7.4 km]
574.8 km (216.5 km) Telstra tower .. CDMA coverage.
[27.4 km]
602.2 km (189.1 km) Cross roads .. Neila to north. Parking area south west corner.
[5.8 km]
608.0 km (183.3 km) Truck parking .. signed .. north side. Long exposed gravel section (old section of highway) parallel
to highway. Narrow section extends down (east) to old bridge over Alick Creek and back to highway east of bridge.
Class 2. 20° 40.276'S. 142°, 09.204'E. Hema map 10, K 7.
No shade, rubbish bins (gone Oct. '06), OK big rigs, 35m max from 100 kph highway.
[43.8 km]
651.8 km (139.5 km) JULIA CREEK .. Post Office.
[0.9 km]
52.7 km (138.6 km) Ian Hill TRUCK STOP (parking) .. north side. Extra large sealed area. NO CAMPING sign.
Class 5. 20° 39.412'S. 141° 44.271'E. Hema map 10, K 7.
Little shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
[1.6 km]
654.3 km (137.0 km) REST AREA .. south side .. small sealed loop with small grass area at rear.
* Class 2. 20° 39.427'S. 141° 43.351'E. Hema map 10, K 7.
No shade, rubbish bin, OK medium size rig, 30m max 100 kph highway, 200m railway line thus
some noise during night, good TV and CDMA. Beware boggy ground in this area and around Julia
Creek in general. Shrubs along roadside are somewhat excessively irrigated!
[1.6 km]
655.9 km (135.4 km) JUNCTION .. north side .. Wills Development Road to Bourke and Wills Roadhouse and points north.
[17.8 km]
683.7 km (117.6 km) Gravel pit .. medium size .. western side of Eastern Creek .. north side of highway.
Class 2. 20° 39.23' S. 141° 32.47' E. Hema map 10, K 6.
No shade, 40m max to highway, OK big rigs, no CDMA.
[49.3 km]
723.0 km (68.3 km) Rest area .. south side .. sealed loop off/on highway.
* Class 2. 20° 38.56'S. 141° 06.25'E. Hema map 10, K 6.
Toilets, covered tables, no shade, limited water, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 40m max
from 100 kph highway, OK CDMA. Facility being rebuilt Oct '06, so description may change.
[15.8 km]
738.8 km (52.5 km) Bridge .. east side .. north side of highway is a large cleared area, best is south side .. has track off into bush.
Class 2. 20° 38.19' S. 140° 57.66' E. parked north side of highway. Hema map 10, K 6.
Shade, 60m+ max to highwy, OK medium size rigs, CDMA OK.
[1.4 km]
740.2 km (51.1 km) Williams River .. east side of bridge .. medium size level bulldozed dirt areas .. north side best.
Class 2-. 20° 38.23' S. 140° 56.83' E. parked south side of highway. Hema map 10, K 6.
Little shade, 25m max to highway, OK medium size rigs, CDMA OK.
[37.0 km]
777.2 km (14.1 km) JUNCTION .. Landsbrough (Matilda) Highway.
[2.5 km]
779.7 km (11.6 km) Vehicle inspection bays .. both sides. Covered tables, rubbish bins.
[10.0 km]
789.7 km (1.6 km) Info Centre, museum .. signed turn off .. south side. No camping signs.
Class 5. 20° 42.524'S. 140° 31.184'E. Hema map 12, A 5.
Toilets, covered tables, some shade, BBQ's, rubbish bins, OK big rigs.
Bore water in use, but town WATER available eastern corner .. enquire.
[1.4 km]
791.1 km (0.2 km) Woolworths discount fuel .. north side. Supermarket at rear .. entrance in street running parallel
to, and north of highway.
[0.2 km]
791.3 km (0 km) CLONCURRY .. Scaeffe St .. turn north for shopping centre, Post Office etc. Turn south for WAL's
MOTOR HOME STOP OVER. Cross narrow bridge, continue ahead (south) a couple of blocks to Philip Street, turn
right .. continue 0.8 km to Wals. Large level gravel area. Self register, $5 pn (now $8 in Sept. 06) for 2 people.
* Class 2. 20° 42.951'S. 140° 29.770'E. Hema map 12, A 5.
Toilets, covered table, little shade, water, good BBQ facility + wood, some road and rail noise,
OK big rigs, no time limit, good TV, good CDMA.
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