The Condamine River Road, often called the 14 River Crossings Road, is a scenic 4WD route near Killarney, Queensland, running through Cambanoora Gorge along the upper reaches of the Condamine River. The road is famous because it crosses the river 14 times over a distance of about 20 km.
European explorers reached the district in the 1840s and recognized the rich grazing and timber resources of the area.
During the late 19th century, the route through Cambanoora Gorge became important for moving timber, supplies, mail, and stock between isolated settlers and the township of Killarney. The road followed the natural course of the river because building bridges through the steep gorge would have been difficult and expensive.
As a result, the road was built to ford the river repeatedly, creating the sequence of 14 crossings that remains today. Many of the crossings are shallow under normal conditions, but the route can become dangerous or impassable after steady rain.
Today, Condamine River Road is maintained as a public unsealed road. The crossings are generally considered suitable for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles when water levels are low, and the drive is appreciated for its scenery, river landscapes, cliffs, and wildlife.
Historical Note
One crossing is named after Andrew Evans, a bullock-team driver who drowned while attempting to cross the flooded Condamine River, illustrating how challenging the river could be before modern transport infrastructure.
In short, the 14 water crossings are not a purpose-built adventure feature. They are a legacy of an old transport route that followed the easiest path through Cambanoora Gorge, where repeatedly crossing the river was more practical than constructing numerous bridges.
Unfortunately is rained most of the day I chose to explore the area. This limited drone and still photography… a good excuse to return again for another look!
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