The other range crossing

[RustyGT]

Most Mackay locals well know the Sarina Range road.
Crosses the Clarke range.
Most young uns look in askance when you mention the 'old road'.
The highway from Rocky to Mackay until 79/80 or thereabouts used to include two range crossings.
The Sarina at the north end and the Marlborough at the south.

Put a new tyre on the BM yesterday, went for a run this arve to rub off the shiney stuff.
Mackay Marlborough and back up the old road.



Pic from the top of the range, Peak Downs in the background.
Not a great pic but the range crossing itself is good fun.
Albeit a 500 KM round trip!

Btw: the old road is still as rough as guts. [esp at many knots]
Not helped by the howling winds we had today.
Came around a bend over a crest with the thing all ready over against the breeze.
It lifted and shifted and i thought for moment i'm going kite surfing here... Yow!

R.

[zrex1200au]

Hey Rusty,
Mate that is an interesting trip.
I came back that way from Tannum Sands about 3 or 4 yrs ago, 2 up with Lynda. Pete (plane) was also riding with us on his ZRX1100 as was his better half Cath on her Hornet.
We headed west from Marlborough towards the range, teeth rattling in our skulls watching Pete & Cath slowly fade in the mirrors. We stopped several klm's up the road to wait, after 30 mins no bikes (7 no phone reception) so decided to continue on on our own. Last I had seen Pete & Cath they were both upright, so I assumed them to be okay & had turned back due to the incredibly corrugated bitumen. This later proved to be correct.
This would be the only time I have been overtakn by not 1, but 2 four wheel drives whilst travelling on a 2 lane bitumen road. Anything over 80 k's & my vision became so blurred from the rough surface we would have to slow back down. At one point in driving cold, but very clean rain we hit a cement culvert that must have been a couple of inches proud on the leading edge compared to the bitumen, that hurt. Stopped the bike to check if we had busted any wheels or suspension as we were 2 up & fully loded with gearsack & tankbag. All still intact we rode on, stopping @ Lotus ck for a rest & refuel. The ride up the range @ the southern end was very good, as is the veiw over the western plains as you crest the range.
By the time we got into Sarina (still raining) Lynda just wanted to get home to mackay so she could get off the bike. Upon doing so she swore she would not be back on it for 12 mths she was so sore from the rough road.
Upon ringing Pete now once we had phone reception again, we found they were indeed ok & had turned back due to the road conditions, which had caused Pete's swag to bail & wind up under his rear guard.
Fun for all.

[NJS]

So you'd recommend it then.

[RustyGT]

Yes. The old road is rough. But entertaining.
Very picturesque, there are some great vistas across the peak downs.
Both at the south and the north ends.
The range crossings are fun, of course.

The coast road is slabby and as boring as batshit.

Spent quite a bit of time down the old road in the early 00's
Drilling water on the cattle properties.
Lived in Sandy's old A frame house at Lotus Ck for months.
Menu was local killed beef on the barbie and cold gold.
Night after night.

The country looks awful dry atm.
But i've seen it so green it looked like a postcard from pommie land.
Hard to beleive but true.

Have fond memories of the time we spent there.
Mostly of the people we lived with and the lifestyle.
Not something you see while just passing thru.

R.