qld outback road conditions Page 298

Heading into the Queensland outback? Road conditions swing from billiard-table smooth to corrugated chaos, and that’s before the creek decides to cross the road. For current status, check QLDTraffic and local council updates, plus the Bureau of Meteorology for rain that turns gravel into porridge. Many routes are unsealed; expect corrugations, floodways, bulldust, and long stretches with no fuel for 200–300 km. Drop tyre pressures a touch, carry a proper spare (or two), water, recovery gear, and a UHF; after rain, closures are common and fines apply if you ignore them. Plan conservative times—100 km can take hours—and tell someone where you’re going like an adult. If in doubt, wait a day and let the sun do its drying; the outback isn’t going anywhere.