Blessings and curses.

[artme]

It's been great to see the rain, especially where it was really needed in inland Qld.!

Curses though for a few. Ana and I have our "niece" with us from the US.We were planning a trip
through Rocky to Longreach and up to Winton to show off some of the outback and introduce ourselves
to an area we haven't seen.Road reports are not good so it looks like that is out.

Does anyone have any idea of how long things take to dry out in that area?? I am aware that the rainfall
has broken all records and maybe nobody has any idea!!

[ian]

have you checked https://www.racq.com.au/cars-and-dri...tions#form-top

one current report

LANDSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, BARCALDINE, 4725 - Barcaldine to Ilfracombe Open (with caution) proceed with caution. Road is open with extreme caution . Last updated: 19 Jun 2016 Next update: 22 Jun 2016

LANDSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, LONGREACH, 4730 - Ilfracombe to Longreach Open (with caution) proceed with caution. Road is open with extreme caution - water over road in places and pavement damage . Last updated: 19 Jun 2016 Next update: as conditions change

[artme]

Yes, thanks Ian I had checked that and that is why i was so worried about venturing forth!

After the downpour here late yesterday and into the night, I suspect some of that system may
have reached over the Divide and made things worse. I will check that.

[ian]

having lived and worked in much of western NSW, the issue with heavy rain is usually restricted to localised flooding. If you're not planning on leaving the bitumen, or driving on black soil roads, you can usually won't have a problem. The current Qld road report tells me that the main highway to Longreach is open, but damaged (most likely small wash outs and flood debris) -- which implies that west of Barcaldine you'd be driving at 60 or 70 rather than 110 or 120 km/h.

From memory the road from Longreach to Winton is part of the National Freight network so I would expect that an big effort will be made to keep it open even if a bridge has been washed out.

I'd say go for it and enjoy the adventure.

[artme]

I also did a lot of driving in Western NSW. Only had an EJ and was never in a situation I Couldn't get out of,
but then I am extra cautious!!!

Mary is thinking of doing Fraser this week because of the predicted dry weather here. This will give a bit more
time to plan for a westward ho movement. I shall keep track of things and we may go next week.

I t will be a good test for the newly acquired Outlander Turbo diesel. So far we are impressed with the vehicle.

[AlexS]

Can't really help, but I was always told to stick to the black soil in the dry, and it'll stick to you in the wet.

[rustynail]

Heavy rain at this time of year can prolong road closure due to slow drying conditions.

[summerlu]

Hello Tapatalk!

[ian]

It will be a good test for the newly acquired Outlander Turbo diesel. So far we are impressed with the vehicle.

just remember that if the water is too deep / too fast / too murky to walk through then it's too deep / flowing too fast to drive through, no matter how high your snorkel is mounted.

[artme]

just remember that if the water is too deep / too fast / too murky to walk through then it's too deep / flowing too fast to drive through, no matter how high your snorkel is mounted.

Got that message loud and clear Ian. I don't have a snorkel anyway. I'm not allowed to be as adventuous as I'd like!!!

[ian]

Got that message loud and clear Ian. I don't have a snorkel anyway. I'm not allowed to be as adventuous as I'd like!!!

if you want to be adventurous you could always borrow a Unimog. But it's not a lot of fun wading through 4ft of water checking the bottom of a crossing for washouts that would convert a crossing from "fordable" to too deep

[Boringgeoff]

My advice would be that if there is any question of the road condition stay away from it.
Cheers,
Geoff.

[ACT_Grumbles]

Hi Guys - I was born in this country and well remember black soil roads being impassable for days and on one occasion for 6 weeks we were without a mail service [i.e. no bread or groceries]. The 6 wheel drive mail truck could not cross the creeks or use the well graded road especially if road trains had chopped the road up.

Nowadays, most of the highways are bitumen with concrete bridges and culverts and are far more reliable. Many areas though, are very flat, and floods may cover kilometres of braided channels.

Well worth a visit - but ask the locals if you are going away from the highways between the major towns. The grapevine works very well out here and service stations and shopkeepers keep abreast of road conditions.

Do be cautious of pulling off the road - I remember well trucks, graders, dozers and heavy equipment parked/stranded on the side of the road for days and weeks, waiting for the soil to firm up after heavy rains.

Mobile phone coverage is very patchy out there, and if you plan to get off the highway, do carry some food and water if you have to spend the night beside a creek waiting for waters to subside.

The next few months though - the arid country will come alive with flowers and wildlife and the magic of this country returning to life, will soak into your soul. Enjoy your trip!