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General News

18 June, 2025

Infamous road is open

THE infamous CREB Track has reopened.

By Nick Dalton

The amazing CREB Track has reopened but drivers are reminded to check conditions before heading off. Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland
The amazing CREB Track has reopened but drivers are reminded to check conditions before heading off. Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Douglas Shire Council re-opened the 4WD track between the Daintree and Cooktown on June 3.

“Winding through the heart of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, this 71km 4WD-only trail is one of Australia’s most thrilling and scenic off-road experiences. Expect rugged terrain, river crossings, and jaw-dropping views,” a council spokesman said.

But he warned drivers to travel in convoy, pack recovery gear and take food, water and camping gear – just in case.

According to the council’s website, 4WD enthusiasts are reminded to consider weather conditions as it only took a light shower and the track can become impassable.

The ‘Local CREB Track conditions’ Facebook page believed Sunday was the last chance to drive the trail for a few days.

“There are showers on the way, with some heavy stuff predicted by (last) Tuesday. Today (last Sunday) looks like the last chance to drive it before things start to get wet. Expect several days before things start to dry out again

“Conditions have remained quite good with only a random, isolated shower popping up late arvo, not enough to cause any dramas. Traffic has been coming through regularly, so track is clear.

“Winds are due to pick up Friday, so do expect showers to become more frequent from then, so keep an eye on updates if looking to drive it on the weekend.”

The page also advises: “Remember, open or closed is a useless metric, whether or not the track is safe to drive or accessible depends on the weather and current conditions, so please check prior to driving it”.

The 71km CREB Track is a renowned off-road adventure trail which starts just north of the Daintree Village. It is located in the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics of Queensland, a region known for its exceptional biodiversity.

It’s considered one of the most challenging and picturesque 4WD tracks in the country. The name “CREB” stands for Cairns Regional Electricity Board – track. It was originally the service track for the old powerline to Cooktown. The track is known for its rugged terrain, river crossings, dense rainforest and stunning natural beauty.

The track is not for the faint of heart. It features steep ascents and descents, tight and narrow sections, rocky paths and muddy stretches.

The terrain can become even more challenging during the wet season when rainfall makes the track slippery and river crossings more treacherous. The CREB Track crosses several creeks and rivers, including the Bloomfield River, Donovan’s Creek and Roaring Meg Creek. During the wet season, these crossings can become deep and fast-flowing, requiring careful navigation and often making the track impassable.

Learn more at

https://bit.ly/45Y8U9Q

Read More: Daintree

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