I'm going to ride from Rockhampton to Emerald-Charters Towers-Winton-Boulia-Longreach-Rockhampton next week. However, I'm not sure about the road from Winton to Boulia, and fuel access. Understand that there is fuel and a pub in Middleton, but there seems to be no pub of that name in the white pages.

Does anyone know if there is fuel in Middleton? If so, any contact details?

The stretch of 360 km between Winton and Boulia might be just pressing the luck a bit.

I think the Middleton Hotel does fuel out that way. Ph (07) 4657 3980.

I assume that your not takin the Ultra, not sure how much of that road is sealed. At best its single lane bitumen which is pain in the arse on the bike cause the oncoming traffic have to put two wheels off the road and since no one slows down its not uncommon to cop a face full of rocks.

I reckon you would get a few road trains on that road too, cartin cattle through to slaughter. They just don't move over....

Thanks Rooster.

Am taking the Ultra. Can't be worse than "Suicide Valley". In 2009 I rode from Rocky to Atherton Tableland, via Emerald, Charters Towers and Mount Garnet. Read the map, recommended route for travellers. But from just north of Charters Towers the dual lane turns into one, and one without any shoulders. In addition, these 50 metre triple trailers full of ore headed south at regular intervals, and they weren't going to pull off for me, so every time I had to slow down to walking pace and stop on the dirt roadside. If there had been any rain in the previous 24 hours, we would have been totally up the creek. Was never so glad to see a dual carriageway just south of the junction with the Savannah Way. Was never so glad to stop at the pub at Mount Garnet. Full of them bloody bikies, it was.

And I have found out that the road from Winton to Boulia is bitumen all the way. How wide? Hmmm. But the big sky country!!! Beeudiful.

man sounds like a cool ride when are u goin ?
in tvl here !

Mate, sounds like you know what your up for. Just wanted to give a heads up in case you didn't.

Made a trip myself to Normanton in the flat bed truck in March and it was pissing down. Had to get off the road and on the road side to let a triple through on the single carriageway section and got stuck.
The triple had to pull me out with chains so I could get on the road again. Truckie said "Best I be pulling you out of the muck than you trying to pull me out !"

Sounds like a top trip, must admit riding down the straightest, longest road with nothin for miles is my idea of heaven. Ride safe on the trip and post up the photos.

Heading off on Monday, Bruce, I hope.

Had a look at the weather map for Winton a few months ago, Rooster. Now is the time they get the least rain. So I have to take the chance. Will be checking the local knowledge at Winton before I go further. I rode out to Winton at Easter so I know that bit of the road is OK. It's what made me think I want to get as far into the desert as I can and still stay on the bitumen. Just for a look. And it's green! Getting old, may never have the opportunity to do it again. Carpe diem!!

I've tried to post photos but the photobucket thing seems to be complicated. Will try again.

Was that Davo you were thinking about Flan? I think he is working on a plan to cross gerbils with echidnas. Some people have expressed that preference, I believe. From over the border, of course. Weird!

Hank, spoke with a bloke this morning from the Australian Hotel at Boulia, he said there is fuel at Middleton, but I'd ring and check to be sure incase they've run out and are in between deliveries. It is bitumen all the way as you said but no wider than one lane and barely one lane in places.

There would probably be a fair few grey nomads towing vans on that road too this time of year.

DO IT!!!!!....ive driven it, would be one hell of a top ride, think by memory they had fuel, they also have a hilton hotel if ya want a bed for the night ( hehe ).... funny sort of pub, i waltzed in and found myself standing in the owners lounge room, ummmm this is a pub isnt it? yeah mate through that door there. Some amazing country out there, the stretch from winton to boulia was my favourite stretch.

Enjoy and have a safe trip. I am sure you will find hotels near by.

Well, Boulia will have to wait until next time. 27 mm of rainin Longreach a few days ago and rain from Hughenden to Winton. Played havoc with the road to Boulia; still today only open to 4wd's. Winton Longreach road closed yesterday as well. Open today. Weird. Rain in this part of the world in winter. Normally it's dry so they do all the roadworks in winter. Grade detours around the road, dig up the road. Then it rains and everything is impassable. Two road trains rolled between winton and longreach.

There will be a next time! Home again in a few days, rather be in Winton. Really friendly town. Fkore example, had to buy some 15 amp fuses for the ultra -- few electrical issues. Bought five. Total cost. $1.00.

Thats a damn shame Hank, btw, next time ya out that way do a stop over at Infracombe, very interesting town with lotsa interesting history, and make sure ya catch the min min presentation at the Boulia cafe.

Here's a few pic's of Winton to Boulia, these dont show the true beauty of that stretch though.

Chook chase anyone??

 

Luxury Apartments

 

The sign say's beer and FUEL

 

Parked outside the HILTON

 

Taken from Boulia van park

 

Just thought i'd throw this one in, one of the bulldust patches west of Boulia on the plenty highway......yes highway

 Did stop at Ilfracombe, motorhead. Second to last day, rode from Longreach to Ilfracombe and as we had plenty of time, rode down the one lane road 89 km to Isisford, on the Barcoo River. Always wanted to go there because my old man used to recite poems about the Barcoo when I was a kid. 

Came back to Ilfracombe and sat in the free "artesian spa" at the public pool. 34 -37 degrees C, very relaxing after five days on the bike. Sat in the spa until my skin turned to prune, dressed and rode on to Barcaldine to spend the night. Have to recommend that spa to anyone travelling in the area, and the people around the place were just great. 

Found everyone to be very courteous on the one lane to Isisford. I pulled over to the side of the bitumen and stopped almost every time; people pulled right over to the other side of the road. Even a police car coming in the other direction pulled right off the bitumen and stopped to let us past! 

Someone mentioned the grey nomads. Went out there at Easter. No nomads. This time the Longreach Winton road seemed to have bumper to bumper 4wds and caravans. Bit scarey. Like the open spaces myself. 

But the detours around roadworks are something else in the wet. 

Funny thing about people out there though. Winton: everyone seems great. Talkative, happy, open, friendly. Longreach is like a big city. People seemed morose, not friendly. Strange. Might have been me, of course. 

Have to return to Boulia at some other time. Want to get there. 

Must admit, feel better being on that road than going back to work yesterday. 

HIGHWAY , ???  christ , how would that be in the wet .