Mount Spec Road permit restrictions lifted

Residents and visitors to north Queensland no longer need a permit to travel on Mount Spec Road in the Paluma Range, marking a significant recovery milestone following extensive damage caused by last year's tropical low.

Since May 2025, Mount Spec Road, situated around 80 kilometres north of Townsville, has operated under restricted access, leading to longer travel times for residents and tourists.

During this period the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has carried out extensive and complex reconstruction works.

This includes the removal of a large, unstable boulder near Little Crystal Creek in November 2025, and the successful installation of a temporary barrier made of shipping containers in February 2026, which has significantly reduced the risk of rockfalls.

Shipping container barriers are a first for the region, filled with sand and aggregate and stacked three containers high to ensure protection of the area while permanent fixes are undertaken.   

This technique has previously been used to success at Cunninghams Gap in south-east Queensland during extensive reconstruction works to repair damage caused by the 2019 bushfires.

Although restoration works are ongoing along Mount Spec Road, removing the permit system will help reconnect the community and local businesses, and support greater tourism activity in the area.

While reconstruction continues, a daytime vehicle escort will remain in place between 6am and 6pm to maintain safety for drivers.

Recovery works on Mount Spec Road are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The repairs are expected to be completed by June 2027, weather permitting.

In late January and early February 2025, days of extreme rainfall destabilised the heritage listed road, causing more than 60 landslips and major structural damage that completely cut coastal access for the Paluma community.

QRA, TMR and the Queensland Government thank residents for their patience while reconstruction efforts continue.