Track conditions from Musgrave to Burke Development Rd

[Stew]

Looking to travel from Musgrave to the Burke Development Rd.

First option was to travel along the track that crosses the Mitchell River near Dunbar. However the local council has advised that this crossing is a no go.

Second option is to tavel from Musgrave down to Fairview then head south via Pinnacles, King Junction then cross the Mitchell River at Gamboola

Third option was to travel to Fairview and head south via Fairlight & Palmerville. I heard however that access is no allowed via this route.

Anyone know about any of these routes. Will be travelling alone after leaving Musgrave so the difficulty must be limited due to having no second vehicle to assist with recoveries. Only have a hand winch so want to avoid the need for winching as well.

[grahcom]

Are you towing anything?

Option 1..was what we wanted to do, but have given that a miss as we're towing a van. We are now going right back for a weeks R&R at Mossman and then coming out thru Mareeba/ Chillagoe (Option 4) as we want to see the caves then around to Normanton via Dunbar.

Option2 ...no comment

Option 3.. this was also on option we considered (but now going thru Mareeba/Chillagoe) my research led me to believe that it's only Palmerville to Maytown that access has been restricted, but I did not do any further research as we decided on Option 4.

Be interested to see what feedback you get as have another mate up here at the moment towing a van who is considering your Option 1,2 &3.

cya
Graham

[Stew]

I spoke to the Musgrave Roadhouse and they said either my second or third option are ok to do. I'm told that there is a concrete causeway at the Mitchell River at Gamboola so this would be the best option when going alone. They suggested speaking to them when in town as they may have heard some more info by then. Apparently not a route used by many. According to the local council the Dubar Mitchell River crossing is completly stuffed and wont be fixed in the next few years.

I leave for the cape in 7 days so very excited.

[grahcom]

Thanks for the feedback Stew, have just spoken to a couple of vehicles that came up here to Laura today via your option 3... an easy run, road good.

cya
Graham

[Stew]

Thanks for the feedback Stew, have just spoken to a couple of vehicles that came up here to Laura today via your option 3... an easy run, road good.

cya
Graham

Did they say anything about the river crossing. Mitchell River I think. How difficult etc. As I'll be alone don't want anything too difficult.

[barney]

Did they say anything about the river crossing. Mitchell River I think. How difficult etc. As I'll be alone don't want anything too difficult.

re : Option 3 via Fairview turnoff, Fairlight, Palmerville

The Mitchell River crossing is a concrete bridge - no worries. The Palmer River is an easy crossing also during the dry. Couple of little easy creek crossings around Fairlight. Heaps of gates to open and close around Mount Mulgrave and Palmerville, which might be annoying on your own. Not a lot of people use this road - (sign at Fairview says open to local traffic only) it is a good run at the moment, nice drive, a little rough between Palmerville and Fairlight, which adds some time - obviously a lot quicker to go via Mareeba and Chillagoe. Same can be said for the Gamboola option, nice drive but much slower.

[Stew]

re : Option 3 via Fairview turnoff, Fairlight, Palmerville

The Mitchell River crossing is a concrete bridge - no worries. The Palmer River is an easy crossing also during the dry. Couple of little easy creek crossings around Fairlight. Heaps of gates to open and close around Mount Mulgrave and Palmerville, which might be annoying on your own. Not a lot of people use this road - (sign at Fairview says open to local traffic only) it is a good run at the moment, nice drive, a little rough between Palmerville and Fairlight, which adds some time - obviously a lot quicker to go via Mareeba and Chillagoe. Same can be said for the Gamboola option, nice drive but much slower.

How long did it take? I'm not after the quickest drive just something different

[grahcom]

Did they say anything about the river crossing. Mitchell River I think. How difficult etc. As I'll be alone don't want anything too difficult.

Stew, you probably have the info you need from the above post from barney, but FWIW they didn't mention the river crossing, just indicated I'd have no problem towing our van thru that way if we were so inclined.

cya
Graham