Route Map from Mareeba to Lakefield National Park HQ
(to
Kalpowar Crossing over the Normanby River)
This map covers the 334 kilometres from Mareeba to the Kalpowar
Crossing of the Normanby River.
It follows the bitumen from Mareeba
to Mt Molloy, Mt Carbine then on to Lakeland Downs
(fuel) and finally on to Laura.
From Laura (the last
fuel stop) the road becomes gravel of varying quality as it leads to the Lakefield
NP HQ turnoff where Pandanus travellers will veer right to drive the final 2.9 kms to the
Kalpowar Crossing of
the Normanby River.
IMPORTANT: Laura is the last refuel centre. You will need enough
fuel to travel 103 kilometres EACH WAY (Laura to Pandanus and return) plus
fuel whilst within Pandanus Park.
Distance:
334 kilometers.
Driving time:
Approximately 5 hours.
Road surface:
Mareeba to Lakeland Downs - good bitumen highway
Lakeland Downs to Laura - almost all this road is now bitumen (2009)
though there are two creek
crossings
(bridges planned by 2011) and the Laura River with
a narrow bridge. The Laura River can also be crossed by fording the river. It
has a solid gravel base.
Laura to Kalpowar Crossing - gravel road of varying condition and can be very
rough with bull dust, pot holes and corrugations. Drive this section with
care. Less than 80kmph is about normal.
Hazards:
Wandering cattle, narrow bridges, blind corners at the creek crossings, pot holes, dust.
Features:
The last FREE
toilet dump point is located on the left hand side of the road about 2 kilometres
north of Mt Molloy township. Massive, humungous, hamburgers held together
with three large skewers at Mt Molloy Cafe opposite the Post Office.
Fuel:
The last fuel is at Laura. Lakeland Downs also has fuel at the roadhouse or
at the cafe/shop which can be found by taking the first turn right after you veer left to head for Laura.
Communications:
Mobile phone coverage is variable then non-existent beyond Laura.
WARNING
Saltwater or Estuarine Crocodiles
inhabit all waterways north
of Laura.
DO NOT ENTER THE WATER
This
includes Kalpowar Crossing
Copyright
c 2009
Colour Page Printing
