Alice River Goldfields Loop Road

If you are on your way back from the Tip, and have the time, you can do an alternative road to skip the long straight stretch of Peninsula Developmental Road roughly between Laura and Musgrave.

Be warned that it takes you longer, so you need an extra half a day at the very least, but better a whole day, to enjoy it.


The loop is longer than the stretch on the main road, so make sure you have the fuel, and fill your tank at Musgrave.


There are a few creek crossings, an old mine and historical goldfields, and if you like discovering it's not a bad road.



The northern turnoff from the Peninsula Developmental Road is about 25km south of Musgrave Roadhouse.


You first drive past Artemis Station, which has a camping ground.


The track then continues south past a turnoff to the old Dixie Outstation.


Further south it comes to a turnoff to the New Dixie Station - continue right, following the sign towards Normanton.


After that the road continues straight until it comes to the turnoff east towards Alice River Goldfields.


It first crosses the little Crosbie Creek, ...


Then the little more serious Eight Mile Creek, ...


And enters Alice River Station, ...


... before you come to this mining site.

Alice River Mine

It may look abandoned but in fact it is private property and trespassing is not allowed.


The site is on care and maintenance, and will be the focus of more mining work in the near future.


Nearby are also some old relics from the days of the historical goldfields.


After that there is a sign saying Laura just before you cross Dickies Creek, ...


... the Alice River crossing and turnoff to Imooya Station,


... and further east you come to Killarney Station (always leave the gates as you find them, in terms of open vs closed!).


The track goes through some cattle country ...


... to the crossroad to Kimba Station, ...


... and after that the road broadens, ...


... and thick forest surrounds the road. You drive through Kingvale Station, ...


... then cross Kennedy River, ...


... and the smaller St George River, with some bush camping sites.


Next you get back to the Peninsula Developmental Road, near Fairview Outstation.


This sign marks the spot (Fairlight Station is south towards Palmerville, while Fairview is across the Peninsula Developmental Road).

Plan Your Trip... the FREE Cape York Travel Pocket Guide

Get this 50 pages guide totally for FREE. It contains information that helps you getting started with planning of your trip. You get to make early-stages desicions such as when to go, how long time you should take, how to get there and get around, where to stay (general info), what will it cost.. and a short insight to what is there to see and do in Cape York.

Plan and Bring to the Trip... the full Destination Cape York Travel Guide

This complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)

If you liked the books or this website, let others know about it! 

Link to it from your website, your blog, your forum post... Share it on Facebook, Tweet about it...



Every link helps other travellers!

Thank you for doing the right thing and letting others know :-)