Latest news with #QueenslandTraffic
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Aussie caravanner's expensive mistake prompts urgent travel warning: 'Avoid until further notice'
Caravanning enthusiasts travelling around parts of the country's northeast have been warned to beware of dangerous conditions that are leaving motorhomes bogged. Queensland MP Robbie Katter took to social media on Friday to urge caravanners and tourists visiting the Gulf Savannah region in the state's Far North to avoid the Hann Highway, after a combination of recent wet weather and natural underground springs caused the surface to lift — turning large stretches of the unsealed road "into a deep, boggy mess". "We're urging all caravanners and tourists visiting our great region to avoid the Hann Highway until further notice," Katter said. "[It's] impassable by any vehicle. Road works crews have not been able to access the site safely, and it doesn't seem that the underground springs are letting up soon, which unfortunately means the road is likely to remain in poor condition for the foreseeable future." Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for Etheridge Shire Council confirmed the road remains closed. The spokesperson said it's likely to stay that way until Thursday, when crews will asses it again. "Alternate route is Hughenden via Flinders Highway," the spokesperson said. 🚘 P-plater's 'stupid' 4WD decision in national park stuns Aussies 💰 Man cops $322 fine after failed shortcut ends with 4WD stuck for weeks 🏝️ Stark warning to drivers visiting infamous beach: 'Not suitable' Stretching more than 500 kilometres, the Hann Highway is a crucial inland link between North Queensland and the southern parts of the state, often used as a shortcut between Hughenden and the Gulf region. While remote and less travelled than major coastal routes, it serves as a lifeline for local communities, graziers and outback travellers during the dry season, particularly those embarking on the iconic "Big Lap" or tackling Queensland's lesser-known inland trails. But conditions like those currently affecting the road can quickly turn treacherous, particularly for caravanners towing heavy rigs who may not realise just how easily their vehicles can become stranded. Local authorities say boggings have already been reported, with some travellers needing to be towed out — at a cost of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. The warning comes as inland roads across northern Australia remain vulnerable to ongoing seasonal rains and underground water flows, which can linger long after weather systems move on. Travellers are being encouraged to carry emergency supplies, download offline maps, and check in regularly with local councils or Queensland Traffic for road condition updates. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Police scream at couple stranded in car for 3 days after taking wrong turn
The 21-year-old man and 19-year-old woman were winched to safety by a helicopter on Tuesday after they became stranded on a remote track after taking the wrong turn Dramatic footage captured the moment police had to use a helicopter to rescue a couple who ignored road closures and became stranded on a remote track. The video shows officers angrily shouting, 'Roads are closed here, that's the whole point!' and 'You shouldn't be in this area!' after finally locating the pair, who had been stuck for three days. The 21-year-old man and 19-year-old woman, both from the Tablelands region of Queensland, Australia, had driven onto Cape Melville Track, which had been closed due to severe weather conditions. The police were forced to deploy a helicopter to winch the couple to safety. Cape Melville National Park is closed annually from December 1 to July 31 due to impassable roads during this period. Fortunately, the couple only sustained minor cuts and abrasions from their ordeal. It is believed they were planning a camping trip and had set up their gear before the weather made the track impassable. 'It's fortunate they had enough food and water to survive for a few days, but the terrain is incredibly challenging, especially during the wet season,' said Special Constable Adam Tickner. 'These roads are closed for a reason, and phone reception is limited.' He also issued a safety warning for travellers, saying: 'When heading into remote areas like the Cape, make sure you have a satellite phone, a personal locator beacon, recovery gear, spare parts, a first-aid kit, and sufficient food, water, and fuel.' Travellers to Far North Queensland's remote regions are advised to plan ahead, check for park alerts, and monitor road conditions through Queensland Traffic or local council websites before embarking on their journey. Last year, another Aussie couple were stranded for two nights after managing to escape their flooded car and being stalked by a killer crocodile. They were with their two dogs in remote north west Queensland when they had to be rescued by emergency crews from the Lifeflight rescue helicopter. The pair, who were in their 50s, had no food or bottled water and were treated for dehydration and exposure after three days of 40 degree heat. They managed to attract attention after writing two large "SOS" signs in the sand. The incident happened near the Staaten River National Park in Queensland's Gulf Country, well over 300km west of Cairns. State-funded rescue helicopter organisation LifeFlight detailed the rescue, saying the pair were travelling in a 4WD that had been washed away by flood waters after they tried to cross a river and the vehicle was flooded by a large wave. The couple escaped out of the passenger window and swam through croc-infested waters to shore. The man swam back to get the two dogs out. Neither of the duo had phones on them, which would have been useless anyway due to the lack of mobile signal. Details from the bizarre incident reveal how the couple were left without any food or clean water and had to drink some of the river water at a massive risk because of the water beast. They wrote two large 'SOS' signs in nearby sand in a bid to be seen and rescued.
7NEWS
24-04-2025
- 7NEWS
Couple rescued after three days stranded on closed Cape Melville Track in Far North Queensland
A snapped winch cable has left a young couple stranded for three days on a remote and dangerous track that had been closed to the public because it was impassable in the wet conditions. The pair's vehicle became bogged in thick mud while driving in Far North Queensland on Friday. They tried to winch it out but the steel cable snapped. They then sent out an emergency SOS but remained stranded for three days before a rescue helicopter could reach them. Police said while the Cape Melville Track in the remote Cape Melville Park had been closed for a reason, the couple had done the right thing in staying with their vehicle while they waited to be rescued. 'It was fortunate that these people had enough food and water to last a few days, however this is very challenging terrain — especially during the wet season,' Special Constable Adam Tickner said. 'These roads are closed for a reason and phone reception is limited.' Cape Melville National Park on the Cape Yorke Peninsula is closed each year from December 1 to July 31. The couple — a 21-year-old man and 19-year-old woman from the Tablelands Region near Cairns — were treated for minor cuts and abrasions after their ordeal. On the day they became bogged, emergency services received a text sent from an iPhone Relay Service which enables users to send out an emergency SOS via satellite. Police from Hope Vale, north of Cooktown, set out in search of the pair but the roads were closed and impassable due to wet weather, they said. A rescue helicopter eventually spotted the pair about 10am on Monday and was able to land nearby. They were flown back to Laura Police Station. Police urge anyone travelling to remote parts of Far North Queensland to plan their trip and check park alerts, Queensland Traffic or the local council website for road conditions. 'When travelling on the Cape, ensure you have a satellite phone or personal locator beacon, recovery gear, spare parts, first aid, and adequate food, water and fuel,' Tickner said.
