I am doing a similar trip in late May to July, from Sydney up through the inland to St.George and onto Karumba for 8 days, then over to Atherton and back via Port Doglas and Cairns through to home in Sydney.

So I am intersted in the replies also.

 The beat caravan park in Cooktown is the Big 4 and is reasonably priced with new managers, as far as visiting Cooktown we spent 3 days and that was long enough to see the sights and it is always very windy in Cooktown.

The Bloomfield track is not suitable for Caravans but we took our Pajero along the full length and it is one of the memorable parts of the holiday especially the southern part of the Bloomfield. first picture taken on Bloomfield track

The distance between Mareeba and Atherton is about 30klm and half way between is Walkamin with a terrific Caravan Park about $20 per night and is a good location for exploring the area we spent two weeks there and probably should have spent longer as there is a lot to see and also a great place for a rest. photo2 caravan park

hope this helps a bit.

 

Three Ways to Mt Isa is a normal bitumen road. Should be fine unless there are really heavy rains later in the season that cause some damage. Even so, anything like that is generally quickly repaired. Fill up with fuel at Tennant Creek or Three Ways. You may need to top up fuel at Barkly Roadhouse - which will be very expensive. Fuel available at Camooweal. There are some free camping spots across the Barkly, and a roadhouse caravan park at Barkly Roadhouse. There is a free camp area at lagoon near Camooweal that sounds nice, but I haven't used it.
Several caravan parks in Mt Isa. Might be an idea to book ahead, when you know times, as mining activity has put pressure on caravan parks.
Highway from Isa to Cloncurry fine. We have found the CP at Cloncurry to be fine. (Gilbert Park)
From Cloncurry to Normanton is bitumen, alternating between just a single lane strip and normal 2 lane road - these regular wider sections, in theory, allow traffic to pull over to allow oncoming traffic, especially trucks, to go past. Fuel up at Isa, top up at Cloncurry, then you should make Normanton ok. There is fuel at Burke and Wills RH if needed.
Whilst in that area, so some research and consider detouring to visit Lawn Hill Gorge/Adels Grove - well worth a visit, even though it would mean some backtracking.
If you intend to visit Karumba - and it would be a shame not to, since you are so close - and want to stay in a caravan park, you must book ahead as soon as you know when you will be there. Very busy in the Dry Season. Some people do day trip/s from Normanton.
Recommend Bedrock Village CP at Mt Surprise, as a base to explore around that area. Great CP. They run good day trips to Undara lava tubes; maybe also to Cobbold Gorge. They have a day trip based on a segment on the train.

Thanks Wendy,

All the info is going in my trip book.

Dave & Valerie

Most of the areas have been covered in other replys but as a old resident of the area I might be able to add my two bobs' worth.   Depending on how far you like to travel per day (my 1000klms days are over) the Barklay Homestead has a nice little caravan park out the back.  Fuel is very dear but thats what happens in remote areas.  Mt Isa can be booked out or nearly so much of the year due to mining boom  etc.  If you are passing through anywhere near the rodeo during August you can forget about getting a site anywhere in town.  For free camping there is Fountain Springs roadside stop about halfway between Isa and Cloncurry.  This can  also be well patronised during peak times.   As has been said before it is all sealed  road to Cairns via Normanton. I dont know if all  the highway to Normanton has been widened in  recent times but please,  please if you encounter any of the skinny sections and a B Triple is headed your way, get  off the road and let him have it.   The end wagon on  those things can get up a whip of a couple of metres.  Makes short work of caravans.   I was a copper in Isa for many years  and every year some  poor old soles would report to the station that 'the truck wouldn't pull  over for us and clipped our van'.

It is a trip to be recommended however and  I must visit there again myself one day..................in winter.

 

Ian

Halfway between Normanton and Karumba there is a free camp called Walkers Creek - right hand side, just over a little bridge - no facilties, but a pretty big area, no limits - if you are staying there, go for a walk up the creek, little freshies jumping off the bank, and families of pigs as well!!

There is a hot shower at the dump point in Karumba - free!!!!