Condamine road trip

If it’s been a few months since you have gotten some dirt on the tyres, I highly recommend a day trip to Condamine River – a 4WD track near Killarney.

Our expectations were high, with every website boasting its 14 river crossings, scenic views and the Condamine Gorge which floods from time to time. Truth is, the Condamine River Track is only 20km long so if you’re planning to spend the day there I suggest choosing a picnic destination close by. We chose to stop by Lake Moogerah for lunch on the way home and it was amazing. Make sure you plan ahead because if the region has had a lot of rain there’s a chance the track could be closed.

The drive

Our road trip began in Brisbane and we drove to Boonah where we had a quick rest stop to stretch our legs. From Boonah we headed for the track. Here are some directions to get there from Boonah.

• Travel out on Rathdowney Road and in 3.4km turn right onto Alford Road.
• 13.4km turn left onto Dwyers Road.
• 21.2km turn right onto Carney’s Creek Road.
• 28.2km turn right onto The Head Road.
• 46.4km turn right onto Condamine River Road.

Condamine River track

The Condamine River Track is 20km long and crosses the Condamine River 14 times. It’s the perfect track for four-wheel drive beginners who are looking to enhance their water crossing skills.

The roads leading up to the track are narrow and windy, so take it slow and keep a distance from tree branches to avoid scratches. Cattle will also be casually roaming the area, so be aware of random cattle grids.

It is recommended that you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to tackle the track, as the road is gravel with a variety of large potholes. Some crossings are very rocky, so drive slowly to avoid any dints.

It’s important to check the conditions of the track beforehand, because if the region has had a lot of rain there will be flooding and some crossing may be too deep.

The main highlight of the track is the spectacular scenery surrounding you.

Lake Moogerah

About an hour’s drive into our road trip home we decided to stop at Lake Moogerah for a picnic. This a great place to stop for families as there is a small café, toilets and tables and chairs overlooking the lake.

The park also provides access to the dam wall, which you can walk across to take some great photographs of Lake Moogerah. On the other side of the dam wall is Mount Edwards – a walking track which leads to a lookout and downhill to another picnic area.

Essentials

• Vehicle needed: 4WD
  
• Trip time: Day trip
  
• Distance: 128km
  
• Fuel supplies: Boonah, Killarney
  
• Warnings: The Condamine Gorge can flood so check road conditions after rainfall.
  
• Camping: Available at Killarney View Cabins & Caravan Park, Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park & Café (pet friendly), Boonah Show Society Caravan Park