🦐🐊2025 Queensland Gulf and Gorges Adventure LPD

2025 Queensland Gulf and Gorges Adventure LPD

21 May 2025 – 19 July 2025 (60 days)

Starting at Chinchilla at the Ruben Lagoon Roustabouts RV Club Muster and traveling north through the Queensland Outback via Lawn Hill to Burketown, Karumba, Cobbold Gorge, Undara Lava Tubes, south to Sapphire, Lake Callide and finishing at the Mingo Crossing Roustabouts RV Club July Muster.

Long Paddock Drive Overview

This Long Paddock Drive of approximately 7,500 kms is scheduled to take 60 days and will visit some of the most scenic locations in outback Queensland. The drive is mainly on bitumen roads; however, in some of the more remote areas the roads are not sealed. There will be 300km to 400km of unsealed roads which are likely to be rough and corrugated. Your rig ‘must’ be capable of coping with rough conditions so that you can visit locations such as Lawn Hill, Burketown, and Karumba, Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lara Tubes.

Long Paddock Drive Highlights

• Charleville	– 3 nights	• Adels Grove	– 4 nights
• Quilpie	– 2 nights	• Burketown	– 2 nights
• Windorah	– 2 nights	• Karumba	– 4 nights
• Lara Wetlands	– 3 nights	• Cobbold Gorge	– 3 nights
• Lake Dunn	– 3 nights	• Undara Lava Tubes	– 3 nights
• Longreach	– 3 nights	• Charters Towers	– 2 nights
• Cloncurry	– 2 nights	• Sapphire	– 2 nights
• Mt Isa	– 3 nights	• Lake Callide

The LPD itinerary includes a mix of night stays at caravan parks, showgrounds, station stays and some free camping. The itinerary has been designed so that you will have power, water, and amenities every 4 to 5 nights. However, at Lara Wetlands and Adels Grove power is not available. Generators are permitted in these locations.

This LPD features visits to areas where there are opportunities for touring, gem fossicking, fishing, and exploring some of the most unique scenic locations in Queensland Outback. Therefore, there are planned stays of 3 to 4 nights at locations where you will be able to relax and take advantage of the scenery and local activities.

Driving Distances

The average daily driving distance on this Roustabouts RV Club LPD is ~250-300 kilometres. The itinerary is designed so we do not spend all day behind the wheel. On this Drive, the driving distance on some days may increase due to the need to get to a location due to the distance. It should be noted that participants are advised to drive to the conditions so on some rough sections slower driving speeds and longer drive times are expected.

Support

Roustabouts RV Club Long Paddock Drives tour remote areas of Queensland and other Australian regions for extended periods. Roustabouts RV Club believes the comfort (most of the time) and safety and security of participants on these trips is of paramount importance. For this reason, Long Paddock Drives have a Support Team traveling with each group to assist with and look after travel arrangements and the administration and operational needs of the group. Each afternoon prior to leaving a location the Drover will hold a briefing to outline the travel plans for the following day.

Essential Equipment

Due to the remote nature of some sections of this LPD the Club recommends each participant in the drive carries: –

⇒ UHF Radio to ensure the support crew can contact you

⇒ Additional water and fuel

⇒ Additional spare tyres and wheels recommended

⇒ Cash

⇒ Personal first aid kit

⇒ Rig spare parts and tools

⇒ Paper maps as GPS and mobile telephone reception is limited in some locations

Drive Pouch

Prior to departure you will be provided with more detailed information regarding tours, activities organised meals all of which are optional. You will also be provided with the details of any updates to the itinerary.

Your Itinerary Explained

Organisers of this LPD have developed an itinerary that shows the amenities such as toilets, showers, power water, dump points, etc. This information is correct at the time of issue, but it is each participants responsibility to double check this information (please advise the Drover if you find anything that is inaccurate). Please also note that some circumstances can change so there are no firm guarantees that everything will be as outlined in all cases. Changes may also have to be made due to weather or driving conditions and your Support Crew reserve the right to make those changes as and if required.

The estimated costs associated with the LPD are as follows: –

Site Fees – estimates at this stage. Where sites are pre booked prior to departure you will be advised of the actual cost that has been negotiated with the accommodation provider.

Fuel – to be used as a guide only as each vehicle is different. 20, litres per 100 km. The cost of fuel is estimated at $2.50 per litre (this could be subject to change).

Organised meals – estimates only

Included Tours / Events – Actual cost negotiated with the operator. Participation is optional. Pre bookings maybe required so attendance will be determined prior to departure of the LPD or along the way as required.

NOTE: Participants can join and depart the LPD in any of the selected locations along the journey if required.

Dining Events

Communal meals, pub/club meals, happy hours and theme nights will be planned along the way and a schedule of these get-togethers will be provided before the LPD departs so that you can plan both your own meals and your budget. Camp oven meals will be organised as the LPD progresses considering members’ ideas and their catering skills.

Tours & Events

Time has been allowed in many of the locations so participants can take advantage of local tours and activities. You are encouraged to do your own research on the tours and activities available in each location prior to the departure of the trip. Some tours and activities (optional) will be organised for the group. Further details will be provided when arrangements are finalised.

Tagalong Dates: 21 May to 19 July 2025

Maximum: 12 Rigs

Suitable ideally for Rigs with off road and self-contained capability – although most of the roads are sealed there are unsealed sections. Being partially self-contained is a requirement.

Pets are not allowed due to stays in National Perk areas.

Climate – It is later part of winter – warm to cool days/cool to cold nights. Mostly fine.

Registrations Cut Off:

Expressions of interest will close on 31 May 2024. A minimum of 8 rigs is required for this LPD to proceed.

The itinerary and registration payments are being finalised and will be published as soon as all relevant information comes to hand.

Please note that LPD spaces will be allocated upon receipt of the Jotform Expression of Interest Form, then Registration AND payment of the registration fee. Once the maximum of 12 rigs has been reached a ‘waiting list’ will operate.

Registration & Payment Protocol

• Registration fees will include site deposits where required and non-refundable rig fees, payable with registration.

• Members attending will need to pay site fees and balance of caravan park fees on arrival and pay for tours, other ticketed events and other fees as the tagalong progresses.

• Updates and amended itineraries will be sent to those who express interest and placed on the website at “Updates”.

Fee & Registration

Depending on the level of interest, registrations maybe open before all details on fees and payment arrangements have been finalised. The Registration Fee payable will be the rig fee (not refundable). Most site fees are expected to be payable on arrival although as this is high season in the Gulf some accommodation may require prepayment. You will be advised of this in due course.

Support Crew – The Drover for this LPD will be Wayne Munn and Gary Couchman. The Stockman will be Bob The Banker

Map of trip

Itinerary

Registration Form