Lawn Hill acess... how tough..is this suitable

[sjd70]

Hi,

I am thinking of a winter 2010 trip to Lawn Hill Gorge and surrounding attractions.

Since I will be beginning in Bundaberg, with family and staying/visiting other locations along the way I am taking the van. (see pic)

Is it advisable to take my van (17' 1.8t loaded? single axle leaf spring and no shockies?) into the gorge or Adels grove?

Is there a way in that is suitable? If so, how/where?

The alternative was to hire a camper trailer in Mt Isa and let them store the van until our return. (not sure how expensive)

What other attractions in the area are worth seeing and would the caravan make it or not?

Any advice, first hand experiences and ideas would be very welcome.

[justinc]

Saw quite a few vans at Adels grove, but were a little more heavy duty than yours. I wouldn't take it in there as it probably wouldn't be the same again:(
Parts of the access rd are heavily corrugated and bulldust holes are plentiful, it isn't a LONG road, but can be cut up a bit depending when it was last graded.

If you do take it, slow and steady is the best way, and take several spares, as some of the rocks on the road are big enough to shred those 14" tyres:o and tyres are exxy at Adels Grove. They have repair facilities and will sell you tyres, but the costs of transport etc are quite high therefore the tyres aren't cheap.

Beautiful place though, Make sure you take the canoe/Kayak.

JC

[PhilipA]

I did the trip to Lawn Hill one year ago with my offroad Camp-o-matic.

IMHO the best route is from Cloncurry North to Gregory Downs which is nearly all bitumin , then west. The road in is good until the mine turnoff then deteriorates, but only becomes a typical outback dirt road with corrugations. The bitumin when I went was good but only one lane often and you may have to get off for trucks.

Many people leave their on road vans in the river bed at Gregory Downs and tent it in the national park.

The worst part of the road when I went was the 20 km from Adels Grove to the Gorge.

So its up to you to decide whether your particular on road van is well enough made to withstand corrugations for up to 100Km. I probably would not do it.
Regards Philip A

[jonesfam]

sjd70
I live just down the road from Lawn Hill & Adels at Doomadgee.
These days the whole road from the Curry to Gregory is paved, some single & some double. The first 20 or so K out of Gregory towards Lawn Hill is also paved.
From there on it is the lap of the gods.
Last time I drove it a couple of months ago it was smooth & fast but very dusty, it had just been graded. The time before that, last year was just after the muster & the road had been cut to bits by all the trucks, it was rough & some of the bull dust holes were a k or so long.
If yours is an on road van you may have problems.
All I can suggest is ask at Gregory what the road is like or camp on the Gregory & do day trips around. Lawn Hill, Adels, Burke town, Riverslie, Tirrana, Hell's Gate are all within 3 or less hours drive.
BTW all the above are worth a look.
There is another 2 roads in to Lawn Hill. 1 comes from between Mt Isa & Camooweal, the other from just outside Doomadgee. DON'T use either of these without an off road van/camper. They are usually rough, rocky & the 1 from Mt Isa is hilly & twisty.
Also going West of Gregory with a normal van would not be recommended. The roads are great compared to a few years ago but there are very rough sections.
Be very aware of dust, very bad on the Lawn Hill road, & trucks, just get off the road & stop till the rocks & dust settles.
Nice place though, if you like dust & flies.
Jonesfam

[sjd70]

sjd70
I live just down the road from Lawn Hill & Adels at Doomadgee.
These days the whole road from the Curry to Gregory is paved, some single & some double. The first 20 or so K out of Gregory towards Lawn Hill is also paved.
From there on it is the lap of the gods.
Last time I drove it a couple of months ago it was smooth & fast but very dusty, it had just been graded. The time before that, last year was just after the muster & the road had been cut to bits by all the trucks, it was rough & some of the bull dust holes were a k or so long.
If yours is an on road van you may have problems.
All I can suggest is ask at Gregory what the road is like or camp on the Gregory & do day trips around. Lawn Hill, Adels, Burke town, Riverslie, Tirrana, Hell's Gate are all within 3 or less hours drive.
BTW all the above are worth a look.
There is another 2 roads in to Lawn Hill. 1 comes from between Mt Isa & Camooweal, the other from just outside Doomadgee. DON'T use either of these without an off road van/camper. They are usually rough, rocky & the 1 from Mt Isa is hilly & twisty.
Also going West of Gregory with a normal van would not be recommended. The roads are great compared to a few years ago but there are very rough sections.
Be very aware of dust, very bad on the Lawn Hill road, & trucks, just get off the road & stop till the rocks & dust settles.
Nice place though, if you like dust & flies.
Jonesfam

Thanks for all that great info Jonesfam. I think the consensus is a big no for the van. I think I will hire a camper from Mt Isa for the Lawns Hill and area leg of our trip. This will work out cheaper than a couple of destroyed tyres, rims and springs + a recovery from the back of Bourke!

Thanks again to all those who offered advice!

I can't wait to finish planning and get going!

[justinc]

We Hired a Cape York Trailer out of Atherton, we were impressed with its construction etc and a few years later bought one ourselves.
AFAIK they are still for hire, 'Atherton Blue Gum Trailer Hire' (?)

JC

[Scallops]

I reckon you'll be fine with your camper - just take it easy if the road is rough when you tackle it.

When I drove there, it was a doddle - and I'd say you could go to either spot. Adel's Grove is nicer to camp though - then just drive to the gorge and go walking or canoeing. :)

[86mud]

I will be doing this trip next year in May to compete in the Gregory river canoe race again. Last time I did this trip was in 2005. Awesome part of the world...

From memory the Lawn Hill road up to Century Zinc mine turn off was nice and graded, but after that, it was dusty and corrugated. Just take your time and you will be ok. Keep checking your canoe straps as they tend to come loose on the corrugations...

Cheers
Andrew

[waynep]

If you go straight up from Barkly Hwy via the Riversleigh dinosaur fossil site ( well wirth a look ) there's 2 or 3 fords that are not a problem for a stock 4WD but might be a bit dodgy for a caravan. ( although we did pass people towing vans that way ) Pics taken in May.

Just need to be careful on the weir here if towing :

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/478.jpg


Once you get to Lawn Hill it's magic. The National Park camp is right by the Gorge but is a bit exposed, but saves the drive but the commercial Adele's Grove about 10km away is a good spot if you camp down in the grove by the river ( you're allowed fires there too ).
You can also go to their cafe for a meal. ( set menu - you get whatever's cooked on that day )

The gorge

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/479.jpg

Adeles Grove ( swimming hole - you can camp right near here )

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/480.jpg