Gearing up for a big Creb Track opening - weather permitting
Shire tourism
Daintree Village locals are aiming for the official opening of the world-famous Creb Track four-wheel drive road to take place in mid July, weather permitting.
With a big wet season, and rain still falling this week, the Daintree River crossing at the start of the track has still been covered in water, but Douglas Shire Council workers have started fixing that and the road along the hill on the other side, which was also washed away.
The opening has been delayed more than a month past last year’s, which took place in June.
Tony “Toxi” Bartels, who runs a vehicle recovery service for people who break down in the region, said the council was doing its best to clear the track from both the northern and southern ends.
“You can’t help the delay because, when it all comes down to it, we are all just run by the weather,” Toxi said last week.
“It depends on the wet season, sometimes we can get a big wet season and sometimes we don’t get much.”
Visiting the crossing last week, Toxi was impressed with the work being down at the southern end.
“It’s good to see that the council’s getting into it and getting the road open for us all,” he said.
“Get the tourists up this way and get them through the track and experience what we’ve been experiencing for a very long time, which is an absolutely awesome track.”
Toxi also visited the northern end this month, but could only travel down about 4km before being blocked by fallen trees and washed-out culverts.
He is looking forward to the official track opening, with a party planned in Daintree Village including bands and market stalls.
“It will be a good day out in the village.”
The DSC stated last week repair crews have been making “solid progress” at both ends of the about 70km track.
“The Daintree crossing has now been repaired, which is a major step forward,” according to a council statement.
“However, recent rainfall has kept water levels high, and that’s still creating some challenges along sections of the track.”
The DSC began carrying out maintenance and recovery works on Monday, June 8, with those works expected to take about two weeks.
“Crews will be clearing fallen trees and vegetation along the track and repairing damaged sections.
“Further updates will be provided as works progress and conditions are assessed.”
The Creb, which crosses the Bloomfield River, Donovan’s Creek, and Roaring Meg Creek, is considered one of the most challenging and picturesque 4WD tracks in the country.
The name “Creb” stands for Cairns Regional Electricity Board - it was originally the service track for the old powerline to Cooktown.
Always make sure you check road conditions and weather forecasts before setting out, as a small amount of rain can make the track impassable.
