AUDIO FILE
3.46 minute Road trip Report: 3.46 Audio file
PRESS RELEASE....DECEMBER 2024
Road Report: Winton to Gemtree and Back, along the Kennedy Development Road, onto the Donohue then crossing into the NT and onto the Plenty Highway with Mayor Rick Britton, Karen Stephens, Manager Outback Regional Gallery, Winton.
What a trip! From the 14-18th of December 2024 Mayor Rick Britton, Karen Stephens, and I set out on a road trip to pick up the three striking billboards from the Outback Way’s Outdoor Gallery, purchased by the Boulia Shire Council. These billboard artworks are bound for public art in Boulia. What great opportunity to check out the progress of works and road conditions along this stretch of the Outback Way. Perfect outback summer conditions with temperatures 42 deg +.
Winton to Gemtree Caravan Park:
Starting in Winton, we cruised all the way to Gemtree without a hitch. The roads were in fantastic condition, making for a smooth and enjoyable drive.
Gemtree to Tobermorey Station:
From Gemtree heading back toward Queensland, here's the breakdown:
- First 100km: Sealed road—easy going.
- Next 39km: Dirt section—manageable, just take it slow.
- Seal and dirt mix: After the 39km of dirt, there’s another stretch of seal, followed by 35km of dirt, .
- Sealed section near Jervois Station: There’s 10km of seal around Jervois, complete with a convenient truck bay.
Construction is in full swing on the Plenty River section, where Aldeberen Contracting is hard at work. We captured some great video footage of their progress, soon to be uploaded on the Outback Way You tube channel
From Jervois to Tobermorey, it’s 220km of dirt—worth noting for anyone planning to tackle this stretch.
The full distance from Gemtree to Tobermorey is 428km.
Tobermorey to Boulia:
- First 50km: Sealed, providing a good start.
- On the Donohue Highway: There are 185km of seal, leaving about 60km yet to be sealed on the Queensland side.
Road Condition:
Overall, the roads were in excellent condition. We recommend driving to the conditions, taking it slow where needed, and enjoying the scenery. There has been plenty of rain and more rain to come, making very happy fat cattle. Stay in touch with the Boulia Shire Council website for road condition updates and the NT Road Report.
What’s Next on the NT side of the Outback Way?
Currently, as mentioned the 27km package of road is being worked on, with a 67km package next in line. Australia’s longest shortcut continues to progress making travel smoother, safer and more accessible for all.
A Bit of Outback Wisdom:
As we ventured along the route, Mayor Rick Britton shared a gem of outback weather wisdom:
"Clockwise willy-willy means rain—no high in the bight."
“ No need to hurry – just take your time and enjoy”
AUDIO FILE
3.46 minute Road trip Report: 3.46 Audio file
Contact details:
Mel Forbes
General Manager OHDC Inc: 0488 739 539
gm@outbackway.org.au
