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Old 12 Sep 2007
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Aussie road info
I am traveling on a vstrom and would like to know if anyone has recent info regarding the roads from Cairns to Normanton to Burketown to Borroloola. Any sealed areas? If not is it hard dirt, bull dust, or gravel? Front end washes out bad on loose stuff when loaded down. Thanks for your help.
Al
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Old 12 Sep 2007
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Hi Al

I cant help with actual road conditions, but I find this site very handy
Road Conditions Index @ ExplorOz

Cheers Scott
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Old 12 Sep 2007
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Look up ,OZ adventure riders, in yahoo, australian site, then ask question. I did it a long, long time ago was mostly soft, no bitument,all the best Brian B
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Old 12 Sep 2007
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Hi Paul,

My map (HEMA '07 QLD) shows sealed to normanton then unsealed. sorry cant help w conditions from then on.

Is changing tyres an option? run something pretty aggressive up front and youll be ok. i just rode up to cape york on a loaded tenere on nobs and it was nothing but fun (ok except for the really deep sand with narrow wheel ruts). save your road tyres for when you get back (if you go Back)

Have fun!
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Old 13 Sep 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulsen View Post
I am traveling on a vstrom and would like to know if anyone has recent info regarding the roads from Cairns to Normanton to Burketown to Borroloola. Any sealed areas? l
You can get Cairns to Burketown all sealed IIRC -(at least it seamed easy .. migh be secitions of good dirt?). but the direct route Burketown to Borroloola is dirt. Can be corrogated, sandy bits. And rock bits that damage rims on road bikes at speed.
Get the Hemma Australia Motorcycle Atlas - 3rd Ed ISBN13: 9781865002361
Home

Has all the basic info you need .. and some suggestions for roads to travel.
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Old 13 Sep 2007
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Best up to date info
Try this site for up to date road conditions. 4WDing, Camping & Caravanning around Australia @ ExplorOz it is for 4WD's but it will get you what you are after. The Hema Motorcycle Road Atlas is good but the detail is a little small for my fading eyes (43 years old). It is the ideal size to fit into a tank bag and is spiral bound for ease of use.
You can't be a bad person if you ride a Strom (I ride a DL1000), if you get down this way look me up. Always looking for an excuse to go for a ride, ok who really needs one!
My final advice is to plan around the northern wet season and you will be fine, regardless of the riding surface.

Enjoy the ride

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Old 15 Sep 2007
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Hi,

I am from the Atherton tabeland and have rode that route several times. You will find sealed road all the way to Normanton, about 30 k of dirt now the other side to Croydon sealed to Burketown but Boorooloola will be dirt. No it is September before the wet so the roads will be good, maybe some corragations and some bull dust depends how many cattle trucks have been pulling through there? But the is a large Zinc mine up there (Century, Zinifex) so the road is constantly graded these days.

You will be ok, it is good but lonely ride, don't forget to stop into the Purple pub for a in Normanton. And depending on your timing just west of Mt Surprise, about 5 km out there is a fence with wire gate on ur left go through here and u can camp on the Einsleigh river. Just ask at the pub in Mt Surprise.

Cheers and enjoy the ride.

Ivan
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Old 19 Sep 2007
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I rode The section from Doomagee to Borrooloola last month The road is in good condition is mostly graded gravel and while there a few rougher sections, you should have no problem. Dont forget that Hells gate roadhouse is now closed and you will need to carry fuel. Also be aware that temps are now rising dramatically and it wont be long before the wet season is upon us. Make sure you carry enough water.
Hope this helps. have a great ride.
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Old 19 Sep 2007
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Originally Posted by saab463 View Post
Hells gate roadhouse is now closed and you will need to carry fuel.
Wollograng (sp?) (about half way Domagee 2 Burketown) had fuel. About 200 km range as a rough guess... 400+km if that is closed.
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