Please Shut The Gate

Today we were heading for Chillagoe so we set off early along the inland road. Thirty seven years ago when we first went to Cooktown it was the only road...it was dirt...and it was a shocker! Today it is all sealed, much straighter and even has a 110 speed limit in places. 

For a bit of variety, about 50km south of the Palmer River Roadhouse we turned off and headed south west towards Mount Mulligan...an abandoned coal mining town from the first half of the 20th Century. 

A "good road" we were told, it was an interesting drive but definitely one for a 4WD...dirt in mostly good condition, creek crossings that were dry but quite rough, a river to ford, no one except a road gang grading part of the road and farm gates...lots of them, mostly closed so they had to be opened and closed again. 

The scenery was fantastic...definitely worth the trip...as was the visit to the old mining town even though there is now very little left. From Mount Mulligan we continued south until we hit the Burke Development Road for the run into Chillagoe.