Thread: Which way to Drive Melbourne to Cairns

Roads are good at the moment - but! There is 25-50mm forecast for tomorrow here, but less further west.

I suggest a look at https://www.livetraffic.com/ on Monday morning.

John

Thanks. Have been watching that site but it seems to just give actual closures. Land Rover had new power steering pump installed last week but it was leaking from the front seal so needs replacing again. We now plan to leave on Tuesday and maybe stay Yanga National Park that night. This will at least give an extra day for roads to dry out.

Inland road every time
I did Cairns to Brisbane and back on my motorbike last year via Roma
its too easy, lots of constant speed km, few towns so the slow / stop / speed up again is less, much better average.

sure, its longer but easier I think. I ended up going via Roma as I had lost all my maps and couldn't remember the way from Springsure - and didn't care much anway!

Hay Ewe

depends on your time frame via alice springs or perth would be good

After today's weather I would not go anywhere west of the Newell for a few days (or even weeks) - the problem is that it is very flat, and doesn't take much to flood low bits of road - and it takes a long time to run off. Cobar Shire will probably close all unsealed roads for a few days, as will others.

Newell should be OK. I had about an inch overnight, and it has been raining most of the day, and still is intermittently.

John

Rainfalls over the weekend up to 70mm, and a news report of a car washed off a causeway on the Kidman Way. Confirms my previous advice, don't go west of the Newell.

John

Roads have another day to dry out. Picked up disco from dealer with second new power steering pump. Lasted 25 km before pulley came off. Awaiting pulley from Adelaide. Hope to start trip late tomorrow or Friday

Originally Posted by Hay Ewe

Inland road every time
I did Cairns to Brisbane and back on my motorbike last year via Roma
its too easy, lots of constant speed km, few towns so the slow / stop / speed up again is less, much better average.

sure, its longer but easier I think. I ended up going via Roma as I had lost all my maps and couldn't remember the way from Springsure - and didn't care much anway!

Hay Ewe

Did you go down the Kennedy to Winton, then the Landsborough to the Warrego? Good trip. Bob Edit- just had a look at the map, looks like it would be the Gregory, then the Carnarvon development roads. still, not a bad ride.