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Cape York - Weipa

Start		Archer River Roadhouse
Finish		Bamaga Road - Batavia Downs turnoff
Difficulty
Suitable For
Distance	306.12 km
Minimum Days	2
Average Speed	59.67 km/hr
Travel Time	5 hrs 7 mins 47 secs

Route By: Michelle Martin

Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

Weipa is the largest community on the Cape York Peninsula with a population of 3,500. This modern town lies on the west coast, and is fringed by the Gulf of Carpentaria. The worlds' largest bauxite mine, operated by Rio Tinto Alcan, is the reason for Weipa's development and visitors are welcome to take tours of the operation.

Weipa is very accessible, being reached by the Peninsula Development Road, via Lakeland Downs, Laura, Coen and Archer River. Whilst the road is regularly maintained, it is heavily corrugated and dusty and is subject to closure at times during the wet season between December and March. 4WD vehicles are recommended for driving this route and unless your caravan is of the heavy-duty, offroad type, you should probably leave it behind too.

How to Use this Route

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TIP	ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2026 mapset!

RouteID: 357

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Route- Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP	Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 43 litres	4cyl 50 litres	4cyl 61 litres
6cyl 47 litres	6cyl 55 litres	6cyl 54 litres
8cyl 47 litres	8cyl 51 litres

Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this route) and calculated based on route distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Lockhart River Airport

Distance from Route Mid Point 60.86km NE

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean Max. °C	31.6	31.3	30.6	29.7	28.7	27.4	27.1	27.7	29.0	30.4	31.8	32.2
Mean Min. °C	23.7	23.6	23.4	22.9	21.9	20.1	19.4	19.2	20.5	21.9	23.0	23.6
Mean Rain mm	395.9	390.8	452.3	296.9	106.8	58.4	43.4	29.2	15.7	29.1	72.2	208.4

Best time to travel Ok time to travel Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Archer River Roadhouse to Telegraph Rd & Penninsula Developmental Rd

Driving: 51.8 km

Heading: 335°

Avg Speed: 66.37 km/hr

EST Time: 46:49

Drive south. for: 0.03 km time: 00:08
Turn left. for: 0.04 km time: 00:14
Turn left. for: 0.15 km time: 00:51
Turn left onto Peninsula Developmental Road/81. for: 51.5 km time: 45:25
Turn right onto Bamaga Road. for: 0.09 km time: 00:12

Telegraph Rd & Penninsula Developmental Rd to Peninsula Developmental Rd & Batavia Downs Rd

Driving: 73.16 km

Heading: 313°

Avg Speed: 72.09 km/hr

EST Time: 01:53

Peninsula Developmental Rd & Batavia Downs Rd to Weipa Camping Ground

Driving: 71.29 km

Heading: 280°

Avg Speed: 67.33 km/hr

EST Time: 01:03:31

Weipa Camping Ground to Peninsula Developmental Rd & Batavia Downs Rd

Driving: 71.24 km

Heading: 100°

Avg Speed: 44.31 km/hr

EST Time: 01:36:27

Drive east on Kerr Point Drive. for: 0.34 km time: 00:25
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Kerr Point Drive. for: 0.26 km time: 00:29
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Peninsula Developmental Road/81. for: 9.16 km time: 10:57
Turn left onto Peninsula Developmental Road/81. for: 61.48 km time: 01:24:37

Peninsula Developmental Rd & Batavia Downs Rd to Batavia Downs Rd - Cox Creek

Driving: 5.08 km

Heading: 84°

Avg Speed: 44.01 km/hr

EST Time: 06:55

Batavia Downs Rd - Cox Creek to Batavia Downs Rd - Moonlight Creek tributary

Driving: 10.1 km

Heading: 77°

Avg Speed: 60.45 km/hr

EST Time: 10:01

Batavia Downs Rd - Moonlight Creek tributary to Batavia Downs Rd - Necktie Creek

Driving: 11.43 km

Heading: 92°

Avg Speed: 69.59 km/hr

EST Time: 09:51

Batavia Downs Rd - Necktie Creek to Batavia Downs Rd - Lydia Creek

Driving: 10.16 km

Heading: 59°

Avg Speed: 67.55 km/hr

EST Time: 09:01

Batavia Downs Rd - Lydia Creek to Telegraph Road - Batavia Downs turnoff

Driving: 1.86 km

Heading: 68°

Avg Speed: 45.37 km/hr

EST Time: 02:27

Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

No Places To See available for this route

Facilities

Where to Stay

Weipa Camping Ground - QLD

Caravan Park

Position: -12.63889 141.86055

Services & Supplies

Archer River Roadhouse - QLD

Fuel

Position: -13.43783 142.94141

Wildflowers

Nearby ExplorOz Routes

Related Travel Journals

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