Access keys and skip links

Northern Region

Extending from Ayr to Ingham along the coast, and west past Pentland and Greenvale.

Overhead shot of the pier

About Northern Region

Area: 107,696 sq km.
Population: Around 214,500.
Industries: Horticulture, cattle, mining, tourism.

Transport and Main Roads services the state-controlled road network in Queensland. The department’s roads program, the Roads Implementation Program 2009-10 to 2013-14, outlines what the department is doing in the Northern Region of Queensland, now and in the future.

To find a customer service centre (for general enquiries, vehicle registration, licensing, driving test bookings and vehicle inspections) select a location from the alphabetical list.

Road contact information

For road information, the department’s Townsville Office is the main point of contact for residents, industry and business.

Northern Region (Townsville)

Contact: Community Engagement Services
Phone: Freecall 1800 625 648
Email: pco.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au

Interesting facts and figures

Northern Region road facts 

Road network

Visit the Traffic and travel information website for the lastest update. 

  • Bruce Highway (Bowen – Innisfail)
  • Flinders Highway (Townsville – Hughenden)
  • Suttor Developmental Road (Nebo – Mt. Coolon)
  • Hervey Range Developmental Road (Townsville – Battery)
  • Gregory Developmental Road (Belyando Crossing – The Lynd)
  • Kennedy Developmental Road (Mt. Garnet – The Lynd)
  • Ayr – Dalbeg Road
  • Woodstock – Giru Road
  • Ross River Road
  • Ingham – Abergowrie Road
  • Ingham – Halifax – Bemerside Road
  • Townsville Connection Road
  • South Townsville Road
  • Townsville Port Road
  • North Ward Road
  • Garbutt – Upper Ross Road
  • Angus Smith Drive Connection Road
  • The Ring Road
  • Discovery Drive Connection Road
  • Home Hill – Kirknie Road
  • Burdekin Falls Dam Road
  • Ayr – Ravenswood Road
  • Mt. Spec Road
  • Stone River Road
  • Ingham – Forrest Beach Road
  • Halifax – Lucinda Point Road

Local government

Places of interest

  • Townsville
  • Artherton Tableland
  • Ingham
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Picnic Bay
  • Thuringowa
  • Charters Towers

Projects

Project feed

Project nameRegion(s)Description
Alligator to TindallNorthernThis project will reconstruct the Bruce Highway from Alligator Creek to Tindall Court
Brandon Reconstruction WorksNorthernThis project will reconstruct the Bruce Highway (Drysdale Street) through Brandon.
Burdekin Highway realignmentNorthernDefining the road corridor for the future Bruce Highway realignment including the location of the new Burdekin River bridge.
Burdekin River Bridge: maintenance and rehabilitation projectNorthernMaintenance works to preserve the structural integrity of the bridge and prepare the bridge for a total repaint.
Cardwell Range realignmentNorthernThe Cardwell Range Realignment project involves realigning the Bruce Highway through the Cardwell Range to improve safety and traffic flow.
Determination of the State of the Health Science for Ultrafine ParticlesMetropolitan, Central West, Darling Downs, Far North, Fitzroy, Mackay/Whitsunday, North Coast, North West, Northern, South Coast, South West, Wide Bay /BurnettA department-Queensland University of Technology study to determine the level of health science knowledge on ultrafine particles.
Douglas Arterial DuplicationNorthernDuplication of the Douglas Arterial (Section 1 of the Ring Road) to turn the existing road into a median-divided, four-lane motorway.
Ingham to Cardwell Range Highway Planning StudyNorthernOptions for reducing road closures during the annual wet season on the Bruce Highway between Rutledge Street and southern foothills of the Cardwell Range.
Queensland regional travel surveyDarling Downs, Fitzroy, Northern, Wide Bay /BurnettSurveys to collect essential information on the day-to-day travel and activities of people living in various regional centres; how they travel, where they go, when, why and so on.
Riverway Drive Duplication: Gollogly Lane to Allambie LaneNorthernA planning study for a long-term upgrade of Riverway Drive between Gollogly and Allambie Lanes.
Southern Access Corridor StudyNorthernConsideration of options to manage increased traffic on the Bruce Highway south of Townsville.
Townsville Area StudyNorthern 
Townsville Port Access Impact Assessment StudyNorthernStudy on impacts of future land side access options to the Port of Townsville.
Townsville Port Access RoadNorthernWorks to link the Flinders and Bruce Highways to the Port of Townsville.
Townsville Ring Road (Section 4)NorthernThe final section of the Townsville Ring Road is an 8km section which will cross the Bohle Plains (Section 4).
Townsville Thuringowa Integrated Regional Transport PlanNorthernThe plan establishes Townsville and Thuringowa's current and future transport needs and a range of strategies and actions to address these needs.
University Road Noise BarriersNorthernInstallation of noise barriers on a number of separate sections along University Road to mitigate road traffic noise.
Vantassel Street to CludenNorthernDesign for a high standard, four-lane highway between Vantassel Street and Cluden.

Maps

map thumbView the Northern region on the interactive map

Northern Region map

 

Also available in detail are the following maps:

Your community

Townsville residents have the opportunity to be part of history and rename the Townsville Port Access Road.  Once complete, the road will link the Flinders and Bruce highways to the busy port of Townsville.

The road is a major local road project paramount to driving Townsville’s future growth – and this is your chance to rename it!

The Townsville Port Access Road will provide a dedicated route for heavy road traffic that will lead directly to the port and take pressure off the residential suburbs of Stuart and Wulguru.

The ten kilometre road comprises the recently opened Stuart Bypass and the Eastern Access Corridor (incorporating the Ross River Bridge) which is due for completion in 2012.

It is important to settle on a name that means something to the local region, so now is the time to get thinking and be inspired!

Possible names could highlight a local hero, pioneer, sports achiever, historic event, Indigenous name or local flora or fauna – the choice is yours.

Please email your suggestion, along with a short explanation about why it should be chosen.

Alternatively you can make your submission over the phone by calling 1800 625 648.

Remember – you have until 5 pm on Friday 26 November.

Last reviewed: 19 October 2011