Saw a traffic warning on another forum about huge amounts of Army traffic (including tanks on transporters) in Central and East Queensland, heading East.   

Apparently there is a major Armed Forces Exercise beginning at Shoalwater Bay [North of Rockhampton] shortly and that there are a lot of Army convoys travelling in the area.  Some were spotted in the Barcaldine area. 

FYI
Vic

Thanks Vic that's interesting. We are at van park at Mudjimba just north of Maroochydore close to airport; last couple of weeks a few large army planes have taken off, and yesterday 3 airforce jets  flew over. Guess there is also frequent traffice because of the training area in Wide Bay near Fraser Is. Nice to know they are always practising - just in case !!!!!

Fear not travellers.This exercise is one of the biggest for quite some time.Troop and transport movements have been evident for at least a month.At one stage it was in danger of being scrubbed due to Swine flu.Nice to know that we have powerful mates.Cheers Ibbo.

Hi Ibbo, What other countries are involved? Sounds like a whoppa! Vic

It is a joint Australian US exercise.Approx 3000 troops.Will do wonders for the locals,3000 people eat and drink a lot of tucker.Cheers.Ibbo

Thanks Ibbo, have heard that they are expecting the usual protesters etc and have stationed police at various site entrance points.  Glad the local economy is getting a boost.......even the protesters have to eat and drink too, Ha ha.

Vic

These excercises happen about once a year at shoalwater. This one is one of the larger ones.

Shoalwater turn off is about half an hour north of Rocky. The convoys move in segments, so they have little impact on traffic flow. Seems someone in the forces has worked it out, and programmed the movements to minimise traffic problems

The biggest financial impact for Rocky is in the pubs, and (so I am told) the red light distict. All helps the local economy