Navigating to Pandanus Park


Pandanus Park is located on the banks of the Normanby River near Lakefield National Park on Cape York Peninsula.
GPS  E144 17.984  S 14 56.503

 

Southern State Residents - To travel to Pandanus from the southern states use either the inland route via Emerald and Charters Towers or the coastal route via Townsville and Cairns. The inland route is easier and faster but less interesting than the coastal route which is more picturesque and interesting but beset with narrow roads and many towns that slow your progress. 

Western Australian and Northern Territory Residents - It is best to travel to Camooweal, Mt Isa then Charters Towers and from there to Mareeba.

No matter which route you follow these instructions are based on the assumption that you will use Mareeba as the 'start' point for the final drive to Pandanus Park.

The main roads leading into Mareeba are bitumen and apart from a few short breaks (roadworks) this surface continues for approximately 256 kilometres to Laura.
From Laura to Pandanus Park the bitumen is replaced by 103 kilometres of dirt roads. These area a mix of formed gravel, graded clay flood plain and station tracks all of which can be corrugated and rough so TAKE GREAT CARE when driving this final section.  

It is possible to drive from Mareeba to Pandanus Park (382 kilometres) in one day however you should be aware that the final 103 kilometres of the journey can be slow going, rough, dusty and tiring so take it easy. 

4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES ARE RECOMMENDED

  
                                                                             Kalpowar Crossing over the Normanby River with boom gate open.
DO NOT attempt to drive around this gate as the water is deeper than your vehicle and large boulders have been placed in the water.

  If the boom gate on the crossing is closed it signifies NO ACCESS.

The gravel road sections of the drive are a mix of the good, the bad and the positively ugly depending on the previous wet season, roadwork and the volume of traffic that has gone before you. For these reasons it is impossible to predict how this road will shape-up so the best advice we can tender is to drive slowly.
 
More predictable is the station track through Kalpowar Station to Pandanus Park. Even though this is a two rut bush track it is generally in reasonable condition though the track is narrow, just one vehicle wide, and has some tight corners and small washouts or creek crossings. If you avoid the urge to speed up when the track is smooth you should have no problems.

Before entering the track through Kalpowar Station you will have to cross the Normanby River at the Kalpowar Crossing (see photo above). This crossing is about 100 metres from bank to bank and is one vehicle wide but it does have a solid concrete base. Nonetheless the crossing should be driven slowly - avoid the urge to give your vehicle a drenching. The causeway curves left and the edge of the concrete is not marked by guide posts. Worse, there are a few deep axle breaking holes at the Kalpowar end of the causeway.

NOTE: Access over the crossing is now controlled by Cook Shire by means of a heavy steel boom gate located in the middle of the crossing. If the gate is locked then access to the eastern bank is PROHIBITED and this includes Pandanus Park. DO NOT attempt to drive around the gate as large boulders have been placed in the water to prevent such behaviour. This controlled access has become necessary to prevent terminal damage to the shire roads and is therefore in our interests

Despite its foreboding appearance the depth of the water flowing over the crossing during the Pandanus Park season rarely exceeds axle height (500mm) and is not fast flowing though those arriving early in the season may find it much deeper, possibly impassible.  If in doubt do not cross without seeking advice from the park ranger and certainly DO NOT walk the crossing due to the presence of crocodiles.

Vehicle:        Though normal sedans have reached Pandanus your committee recommends 4 wheel drive vehicles with good clearance especially if towing a caravan.

Caravans:     Most off-road caravans can safely reach Pandanus whilst non-off road vans are not recommended but can reach Pandanus if towed slowly.

Camper Trailers:   These generally have no problems in reaching the Pandanus area.

Buses/Motor homes: Unless your bus or motorhome has high clearance and is an off-road variety then we do not recommend you attempt the drive to Pandanus Park without first checking the route in a 4 WD vehicle. There are some steep banks to negotiate.

Roadworthiness:    Commonsense dictates that travellers ensure both their vehicle and towed van or trailer are in good condition before tackling rough outback tracks where, as in this case, repair facilities are hundreds of kilometres away with the cost of recovery high.

Fuel:        The last fuel is at Laura approximately 126 kilometres from Pandanus and it is generally 15 cents a litre dearer than at Mareeba or the southern states. Auto gas is not available beyond Mareeba.

Distances:  Pandanus Park is approximately 2,500 kilometres from Brisbane, 3,700 kilometres from Melbourne and 5,900 kilometres from Perth.

Camping en route:   There are a number of Veteran's camps throughout Australia, especially Queensland so consult your local Vietnam Veterans Association or the national website www.vvaa.org.au for a list of these camps and their locations. There are also numerous free campsites throughout Australia with books listing their locations and facilities available from most newsagents.      

DISCLAIMER

It the sole responsibility of the veteran and their guests to ensure they are properly equipped to journey to and from Pandanus Park and to camp therein.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy the travel, camping information, and maps attached hereto are to be used as a GUIDE ONLY.

You should be aware that road and weather conditions can vary greatly.

The suitability and roadworthiness of vehicles, towed trailers and caravans can also affect the outcome of a journey to Pandanus Park. Likewise a persons' preparedness for camping at Pandanus Park can affect the outcome of their trip. 
.