Roads
You are here: Home / Services / Roads / Cook Shire Road Conditions and Closures

Cook Shire Road Conditions and Closures

This page provides an update on all roads managed by Cook Shire Council.

Updated MARCH 20, 2024

IMPORTANT UPDATE: FLOODING FROM EX TC JASPER

Due to widespread flooding across the region from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the inability of Council road crews to undertake inspections at this time, the status of many Cook Shire roads is unknow.  All motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution when travelling at this time and report any damage to Council by phoning 4082 0500 or email mail@cook.qld.gov.au 

Cook Shire Council aims to keep drivers, locals, tourists and their families safe on our roads.

During the wet season, in order to protect the safety of users, the structural integrity of the roads and help to keep supply lines open to towns, stations and communities throughout Cape York, often requires Council to place access restrictions on roads, or close them entirely.

Heavy rains and flash flooding can cause wash outs and lift large sections of bitumen, rending the roads dangerous and impassable.

The wet season also makes sealed and unsealed outback roads soft and vulnerable.

Vehicles travelling over this soft, water-soaked ground cause wheel ruts that hold the water when it rains. The water is then able to seep in further, causing deeper damage and prolonged road closures – the additional damage sometimes taking up to months to stabilise, rehabilitate and repair.

This is why it’s important that all drivers obey road closures and weight restrictions. Non-essential travel along these roads often causes additional, prolonged closures and delays.

If you have extenuating circumstances and no other alternative but to travel along a closed road, you must apply for a permit

Cook Shire Road ClosuresCook Shire Road Closures 2Cook Shire Road Closures 3

Above: some examples of road damage that have resulted in road closures. 


Road

Status

 4WD Only

Restrictions

on Road Use

Wet or boggy conditions

Bad wheel ruts &/or washouts

Comments

Jensen's Crossing Bridge

Open


Drive with caution and to prevailing road conditions

Bloomfield Rd (Rossville/Bloomfield Rd)

Restricted

X

 25t Load Limit - Single Lane Ayton to Wujal Wujal 

⚠️ Locals (including Wujal Wujal residents) to proceed with caution and at own risk.

⚠️ Please avoid all non-essential travel.

⚠️ 4WD, high clearance ONLY.
⚠️ Avoid travel at night and in the event of more rainfall.

 Severe Road Damage Drive with caution and to prevailing road conditions, obey changed traffic conditions

Isabella-McIvor Rd – to Starcke River Boat Ramp

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit

 

High Clearance 4WD Recommended

Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions

Battlecamp Rd

CLOSED









FLOODING

Lakefield Rd – Southern end to Ranger Station

CLOSED 

 



FLOODING

Lakefield Rd – from Ranger Station North


CLOSED






FLOODING

Marina Plains Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit

X

X

High Clearance 4WD   Recommended

Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions

Running Creek to Port Stewart Rd

Restricted
X

5t Load Limit

No Trailers


X

X

High Clearance 4WD's Recommended

Drive with extreme Caution and to road conditions

Lilyvale Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit

X


High Clearance 4WD's Recommended

Drive with extreme Caution and to road conditions

Kimba Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit

X

X

High Clearance 4WD's Recommended

Drive with extreme Caution and to road conditions

Kimba-Gamboola Rd


CLOSED






FLOODING at the Palmer River

Dixie-Kimba Rd


Restricted


X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Dixie Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Killarney Rd


Restricted


X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Drumduff/Koolatah Rd

Cook Shire Section Only

Contact Carpentaria Shire Council for their section

(07) 4745 2200

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit





High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions


Welcome Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Fairview/Palmerville Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit

X

X

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Palmerville/Maytown Rd

CLOSED





FLOODING

Whites Creek Rd (to Maytown)

CLOSED




FLOODING 

Old Coach Road

Open to Restricted Access -

Staircase Closed - Bollards in Place

X

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Only


X

Non Maintained Road

Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions

Byerstown Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit

Maintained Road up to Palmer River

Bonny Glen Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit


Drive with caution and to prevailing road conditions

Musgrave/Strathgordon Rd (to Pormpuraaw)

Restricted 

X

5t Load Limit


Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Aurukun Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



 Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Port Stewart Rd through Old Coen Road


Restricted


X

5t Load Limit

X

X

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Holroyd Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Rokeby Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Mein/Batavia Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Moreton/Bramwell Rd

Restricted X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Bamaga Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Sudley/Batavia Rd

Restricted

X

5t Load Limit



High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions

Bertihaugh Track - Limited Access

Open

X

X X

Non Maintained Track

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing conditions

Portland Roads Rd (including road to Chilli Beach)


CLOSED

 




FLOODING

Mt Webb/Wakooka Rd - (Kalpowar section)

CLOSED





FLOODING

Mt Webb/Wakooka Rd - (Starcke section)

CLOSED




FLOODING

Grassy Hill Rd

Open

NOT SUITABLE FOR CARAVANS OR RVs. Bitumen but very steep and narrow. COACHES – 7m max length (usually 22 seater).

Mulligan Highway

STATE CONTROLLED ROAD contact Dept Transport & Main Roads

Ph: 131 940 Website: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

Peninsula Development Road (Lakeland to Weipa)

STATE CONTROLLED ROAD contact Dept Transport & Main Roads

Ph: 131 940 Website: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au

Endeavour Valley Road

STATE CONTROLLED ROAD contact Dept Transport & Main Roads

Ph: 131 940 Website: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au

ABN: 45 425 085 688

10 Furneaux Street Cooktown, Qld 4895

Mail: PO Box 3 Cooktown, Qld 4895

Email: mail@cook.qld.gov.au

Phone: (07) 4082 0500

Fax: (07) 4082 0588

Hours: 8.45am-4.45pm Monday to Friday