Winton to Hughenden via Kennedy Developmental Rd

Darmc · Veteran Member

Winton to Hughenden via Kennedy Developmental Rd

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Google Maps and Earth (and street view) show that it is a sealed road ... the map in Camps 8 shows that it is sealed as well.

Should be no problem from what I can see - but let's wait for those who have travelled it recently.

Cheers - John

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I travelled it in 2013 and was sealed but a truck had come a muk while that area had flooding rains and damaged it. Ten km were also messy due to rain. They were only letting 4×4's through. Would be fine now though.

CC Bear · Senior Member

It is a development road so do not expect the best, always check with police when traveling out back. They should have the latest information for you.

Darmc · Veteran Member

Thanks, I had contacted one of the local councils in the area, we were told that the Winton end narrows to one lane. Could be a problem if we meet a truck.
I value the comments you both make on this forum.

Darmc

-- Edited by Darmc on Thursday 26th of January 2017 07:43:14 PM

msg · Guru

Just pull right off the road and let the truck have it. Another caravan could be a different matter. Did it out Quilpie way, tore past me and couldn't even keep it on the road even when he had it to himself. Result broken windscreen for me.

Daveo85 · Veteran Member

Its quite ok, has a lot of dips in road for creeks etc., do slow as some are steep
Not a lot of traffic when we did the trip overall a good road when dry may be harder if it wet as the road floats on the wet plains it crosses and is soft when you drive across

Darmc · Veteran Member

msg, know what your saying, being a truck driver and caravanner there are good and bad in both. Trucks are usually trying to get supplies to consumers, while some caravaners have no time frames. We are so greatful when we can go to the shop and get what we want, if it wasn't for the trucks we would be behind the eight ball.

Safe travels thanks for your advice

Darmc

Snippy · Senior Member

Travelled this road September this year. One of the worst bitumen roads I have travelled on. Uneven surface, lots of dips and bumps (Drawbar bottomed twice at 80kmh)

Be prepared to take it slow and should be ok though.

Darmc · Veteran Member

Thanks Snippy, will take the Cloncurry route, less trauma on the body. ( ours not the van)

Enjoy your travels

Darmc

PeterD · Guru

I don't know what Sippy is on about. 18 months ago it was a good road. I had no problem with it. It is flat country and you can see any bad bits to slow for. As far as oncoming traffic goes you can see it early enough to and the shoulders are wide enough to get completely off the bitumen. Remember, the gravel thrown up by passing traffic travels across the road not along it, it is your forward speed that breaks windscreens.

If you are into alternative camping there are a couple of possibilities along that road. The first one you will come to is Corefield. It has a gravel surface but there is nice grass up in the picnic/happy hour area. It is across the side street from a nice community run sports club (with showers out the back if you desire them.) The other is further up at Stamford, I did not stay there so I don't know what it's like.

Darmc, I urge you to try that road, doing so will increase your driving skills and confidence if you approach the trip in a positive manner. If you don't learn to drive these types of road you are going to lock yourself out of a lot of Queensland. There is no sense remaining a timid scared driver, that is not much good to you when the unexpected happens.

Snippy · Senior Member

PeterD wrote:
I don't know what Sippy is on about. 18 months ago it was a good road. I had no problem with it. It is flat country and you can see any bad bits to slow for. As far as oncoming traffic goes you can see it early enough to and the shoulders are wide enough to get completely off the bitumen. Remember, the gravel thrown up by passing traffic travels across the road not along it, it is your forward speed that breaks windscreens.
If you are into alternative camping there are a couple of possibilities along that road. The first one you will come to is Corefield. It has a gravel surface but there is nice grass up in the picnic/happy hour area. It is across the side street from a nice community run sports club (with showers out the back if you desire them.) The other is further up at Stamford, I did not stay there so I don't know what it's like.
Darmc, I urge you to try that road, doing so will increase your driving skills and confidence if you approach the trip in a positive manner. If you don't learn to drive these types of road you are going to lock yourself out of a lot of Queensland. There is no sense remaining a timid scared driver, that is not much good to you when the unexpected happens.

Don't know what I'm on about? Let me tell you.

Van bottomed out at less than 80k, chassi on crappy bloody Jayco broken in 2 places (32 year old mind)

But as many of your posts, you are always right.

Darmc · Veteran Member

PeterD, Thank you for your advice. The driver has over 50 years of machinery, heavy transport, trailer and van towing , over in WA and the NT. ( But always willing to learn). So it is not driving skills he is looking for, rather than a comfortable journey for the passenger.
Many times travelling the Gibb River Road, the conditions changed depending the shire have the finance to grade the road or the weather. Same here in FNQ, we can go up the Bloomfield track with conditions changing regularly, depending on the amount of traffic.

Safe travels
Darmc

Gazza1044 · Member

Travelled this road 2016 the day after the corefield races road is perfect ,also don't no what snippy is on about we have a dmax with a crusader caravan 22 foot .

Darmc · Veteran Member

Thank you for your responses.
Safe travels
Darmc

Ma Baker · Newbie

Not sure that this will help anyone but just letting you all know that we travelled Winton to Hughenden yesterday, 19/6/18. The road is fantastic. Bitumen all the way, some narrow on the Winton end but very manageable. From Corfield to Hughenden there is wide bitumen and excellent road. Towards the end of the trip approaching Hughenden there were a couple of dips that were ok when the proper speed was applied. We have named about 4 'Sippy's Dips' in honour of Sippy and his 'great advice'.. cheers.. Oops renamed them Snippy i think

-- Edited by Ma Baker on Wednesday 20th of June 2018 08:45:34 PM

Snippy · Senior Member

Ma Baker wrote:
Not sure that this will help anyone but just letting you all know that we travelled Winton to Hughenden yesterday, 19/6/18. The road is fantastic. Bitumen all the way, some narrow on the Winton end but very manageable. From Corfield to Hughenden there is wide bitumen and excellent road. Towards the end of the trip approaching Hughenden there were a couple of dips that were ok when the proper speed was applied. We have named about 4 'Sippy's Dips' in honour of Sippy and his 'great advice'.. cheers.. Oops renamed them Snippy i think

-- Edited by Ma Baker on Wednesday 20th of June 2018 08:45:34 PM

Aawww, Ma Baker, I feel honoured, now Snippy doesn't feel so dippy.

Safe travels.