Further North

3rd May 2025

Distance: 435 km

Fuel: 48 L

Barcaldine to Hughenden

After breakfast made a quick visit to the local supermarket to get milk and some tea bags.

Quite a long drive today, over 400km to Hughenden, going up the recently reopened Aramac to Torrens Creeks road. Set off in brilliant sunshine, turned toward the little town of Aramac – this town has a fascinating history with its own tramway and museum which I had visited on a previous occasion.

The weather was fine for the first 100km or so but then dark clouds started gathering in the distance until spots of rain started to fall. I wish I had checked the forecast but I had assumed sunshine was the order of the day.

I was a bit concerned on two counts the further north I got. Firstly it was single lane so one had to get off the road for road trains I worried about getting bogged as it had not been that long since the road was closed because of flooding. Secondly if it did really rain then it was possible that the road flooded again and I would be trapped. In the event neither happened even though it did rain very heavily and large puddles started to appear on the road and verge.

In fact the most northerly part of the road had only been sealed last year so it was two lanes wide which was terrific, none the less it was nice to get on to the main east west highway heading for Hughenden.

After arriving at the caravan park and pleasantly surprised at the $27 a night rate, it was still raining so I sat in the car for about half an hour until the rain ceased.

Put my new weather shield on the side of the camper so it may get a test tonight.