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ROAD CONDITIONS & CLOSURES 

Updated: 24th, April 2026
This page provides an update on all roads managed by Cook Shire Council. Cook Shire Council aims to keep drivers, locals, tourists and their families safe on our roads.
Cook SHire

Up to date Road Information

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.

Check out our Roads Ahead updates

Want to stay informed about upcoming and ongoing roadworks across Cook Shire? Visit our Roads Ahead page for monthly updates on Council’s scheduled works, maintenance, and improvement projects. It’s the easiest way to plan ahead and see what’s happening on our roads.

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STATE CONTROLLED ROADS

  • MULLIGAN HIGHWAY
  • PENINSULA DEVELOPMENTAL ROAD
  • ENDEAVOUR VALLEY ROADS

Please contact the Department of Transport and Main Road for updates on road conditions and closures along the above listed roads.

 

Phone: 131 940

Website: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

 

Cook Shire

Roads Ahead Updates

Cook Shire Council

Road Conditions

10T LIMIT – ST GEORGE BRIDGE ON KIMBA ROAD 

DUE TO MAINTENANCE WORKS

HEAVY VEHICLE DETOURS ARE IN PLACE 

IT IS ADVISED THAT B DOUBLES USE ALTERNATE ROUTE VIA DIXIE ROAD

 

Jensen's Crossing Bridge

Drive with caution and to prevailing road conditions

4WD only: No
Restrictions on Road Use: No
Comments: 

Bloomfield Rd (Rossville/Bloomfield Rd)

Drive with caution and to prevailing road conditions, obey changed traffic conditions.

4WD only: No
Restrictions on Road Use: 44t Load Limit –  Ayton to Wujal Wujal
Comments: 

⚠️ Road works are ongoing, motorists may experience minor delays.

Isabella-McIvor Rd – to Starcke River Boat Ramp

Local Traffic Only – 5T Load Limit

High Clearance 4WD’s Recommended. Drive with Extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep crossisngs and washouts.
Comments: 

Battlecamp Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Load Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments: Normanby and Laura River flooding

Lakefield Rd – Southern end to Ranger Station

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep crossings and washouts. 
Comments: Authorised Personnel only.

Lakefield Rd – from Ranger Station North

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Comments: Flooding Hann, Morehead and Saltwater. 

Marina Plains Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Rutting and washouts.
Comments:

Running Creek to Port Stewart Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: 
Comments: Stewart River flooding. 

Lilyvale Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments:

Kimba Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

HIgh Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments: 10t Limit St George Bridge

Kimba-Gamboola Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments: King River and Palmer River flooding. 

Dixie-Kimba Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments: Wet or boggy conditions, Bad wheel ruts &/or washouts.

Dixie Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments: Cook Shire maintained section works completed.

Killarney Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only. 
Comments:

Drumduff/Koolatah Rd

Cook Shire Section Only

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

Contact Carpentaria Shire Council for their section – (07) 4745 2200

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: No
Comments: Palmer River flooding. 

Welcome Rd

Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use:
Comments:

Fairview/Palmerville Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: 5t load Limit
Comments: Palmer River & St George River flooding. 

Palmerville/Maytown Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only. 
Comments: Palmer River flooding. 

Whites Creek Rd (to Maytown)

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep crossings and washouts.
Comments: Palmer River flooding.

Old Coach Road

Restricted Access – Staircase Closed – Bollards in Place.
Non Maintained Road. Drive with Extreme Caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: 5T load Limit
Comments:

Byerstown Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

Maintained Road up to Palmer River. Drive with caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments:

Bonny Glen Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

Drive with caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only. 
Comments:

Musgrave/Strathgordon Rd (to Pormpuraaw)

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only.
Comments:

Aurukun Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only. 
Comments: Caution at dip approx 9.5km from the Intersection.

Port Stewart Rd through Old Coen Road

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep crossings and washouts. 
Comments: Stewart River flooding. 

Holroyd Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only. 
Comments: Holroyd River flooding.

Rokeby Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Local traffic only. 
Comments: Wet or Boggy conditions, Bad wheel ruts &/ or washouts. 

Mein/Batavia Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep crossings and washouts.
Comments: Local flooding. 

Moreton/Bramwell Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep crossings and washouts. 
Comments: Local flooding/ Wenlock River flooding.

Bamaga Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep ccrossings and washouts. 
Comments:

Sudley/Batavia Rd

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use:
Comments: Local flooding. 

Bertihaugh Track - Limited Access

Non Maintained Track. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: No
Comments: Wet or boggy conditions, Bad wheel ruts &/or washouts

Portland Roads Rd (including road to Chilli Beach)

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: Deep crossings and washouts.
Comments: Wenlock & Pascoe flooding. 

Mt Webb/Wakooka Rd - (Kalpowar section)

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: No
Comments: Normanby at Kalpowar crossing flooding. 

Mt Webb/Wakooka Rd - (Starcke section)

Local Traffic Only – 5T Limit

High Clearance 4WD Vehicles Recommended. Drive with extreme caution and to prevailing road conditions.

4WD only: Yes
Restrictions on Road Use: 5T Limit
Comments: Wet or boggy conditions, Bad wheel ruts &/or washouts

Grassy Hill Rd

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

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

Peninsula Development Road (Lakeland to Weipa)

STATE CONTROLLED ROAD
contact Dept Transport & Main Roads

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

Endeavour Valley Road

STATE CONTROLLED ROAD
contact Dept Transport & Main Roads

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