Community & Business
23 September, 2026
Finally, time to look both ways
AFTER almost three years as a single-lane traffic bottleneck, commuters, travellers and trucks can pass the Henry Ross Lookout on the Kuranda Range in both directions.
AFTER almost three years as a single-lane traffic bottleneck, commuters, travellers and trucks can pass the Henry Ross Lookout on the Kuranda Range in both directions.
Completion of reconstruction works following the devastating impacts of Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023 marks a major milestone in restoring one of Far North Queensland’s most important transport connections.
The section was opened on Saturday, but keen drivers had to wait until after 8.45am, while the Cardiac Challenge event closed the road from 6am to allow hundreds of cyclists to test out the new track.
The three-storey-high downslope landslip at the lookout was the largest and most complex damage site on the range road, requiring extensive reconstruction works to stabilise the slope, rebuild the roadway and reinstate the damaged lane.
Rebuilding the site required extensive geotechnical treatments, including more than 20 truckloads of rockfill, 15 truckloads of shotcrete, almost 1.5km of soil nails and enough geomat to cover around one-and-a-half tennis courts.
Funded by the Federal and State Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the repairs form part of the broader recovery effort still underway across Kuranda Range Road, with remaining cyclone-damaged sites still under repair.
Weather permitting, they will be completed by the end of 2026, however, repairs to two sites damaged again by heavy rainfall during the Tropical Low in February last year will continue until mid-2027.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said restoring critical transport links was essential for regional communities recovering from natural disasters.
“The Kuranda Range Road is a vital connection for Far North Queensland communities, tourists and businesses, which is why restoring it has been such an important priority,” she said.
“This milestone shows what can be achieved when governments work together to rebuild stronger, safer and more resilient infrastructure.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the road was a lifeline in the region.
“Restoring this section means safer, more reliable journeys for the thousands of people who rely on it every day.”
Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said the “frustrating” travel up and down the range was almost over.
“Tourism and agriculture industries have suffered significant disruption whilst the traffic flow has been slowed to one lane and traffic light tailbacks.
“It will be great to see Kuranda re-energised and for Tablelands producers to be able to use the road unencumbered.”
