QUEENSLAND’S history-soaked Condamine River is a steadfast contributor to the mighty Murray-Darling river system. But a 700-kilometre long river has to start somewhere and in this wandering waterway’s headquarters on the slopes of the Great Divide you’ll find a swag of adventure outings, almost on Brisbane’s doorstep.
Among attractions for four-wheel drivers out this way is the Condamine River Gorge Road, a dirt and gravel road that crosses the river 14 times through pretty countryside. Big Smoke blues disappear right smart with the crunch of gravel, scent of gums and the chuckle of kookaburras along this back track between Boonah and Killarney.
Now this can be a medium to easy trek for the likes of a Toyota Prado or Isuzu’s MU-X but weather – we’re talking wet weather – can cause river levels to rise quickly, the road to get tricky and the track to be closed. In good condition the gorge road is also a great tour for four-wheel drive rookies; a place to check out low range and better understand your machine on dirt roads and through water crossings.
It needs a good weekend to make the most of this area around Main Range and Mount Superbus. There are spectacular waterfalls and green mountain scenes, there are campsites and caravan parks, there are the rustic charms of Killarney and Boonah townships and forever the clean and bright airs of country Australia.
Pack up and move on out.
As with many dirt-track expeditions, ground clearance is as important as traction on this Condamine River Road through Cambanoora Gorge. While this trek might look relatively easy four-wheeling when the road’s in good nick, there is often the question of clearing ruts and holes and always the business of crossing the river. Besides, there are campsites and lodgings through here accessible only by four-wheel drive, such as the rainforest cabins at Adjinbilly.
We’re starting out from Boonah, 90 kilometres from the centre of Brisbane; an easy run out toward Ipswich then down the Cunningham Highway before a left onto Highway 93. It’s a relaxed country tour on good bitumen. (From the Gold Coast it’s a 110 kilometres drive through Beaudesert and over on to Boonah.)
The tidy town of Boonah offers top spots for a late breakfast or picking up extra picnic supplies maybe. Make sure you’re fuelled up; it’s not a big distance but who knows what side adventures may pop up. Remember, mobile phone coverage in the gorge ranges between very limited and non-existent.
There are a couple of options heading toward Killarney from the east. Here we’re looking at a run that does a rough figure of eight between Boonah and Killarney to best experience the Great Dividing Range, the Condamine River Road and the river’s waterfalls. Don’t rely only on GPS and remember distances mentioned here could read up to 500 metres (or more) different on some odometers – some tourists spin their wheels more than others; some will get side-tracked with photo opportunities.
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