[AstroTourist (Terry)]

Information has now been released on road and traffic conditions and other issues to plan for, in the eclipse area. This has been after detailed review and planning by the Queensland Police Service, Emergency Management Queensland and the Regional Councils with the objective of creating a safe and enjoyable eclipse experience for all.
The good news is that there will not be any closures of the main roads in the eclipse area. Only a few local roads will be affected which it is easy to plan around. A great deal of effort has gone into putting in place measures to assist the main roads to flow freely. Emergency Services will be staged through the area to be able to rapidly respond to emergency situations. Unfortunately this has meant that some lookouts will be closed for the eclipse.
Beaches will be accessible (until they reach a safe capacity). The message is if your selected location is likely to be popular and space is limited get there early. I will put some other more general information in another email.
Rgds,
Terry Cuttle,

ROAD CLOSURES CAIRNS AREA: Lake Morris Road closed (residential traffic only); Yorkeys Knob: Ray and Janet St closed (residential traffic only); Trinity Beach - Southern End Vasey Esplanade / Possum St closed (residential traffic only). These are all minor local roads.
ROAD CLOSURES PORT DOUGLAS AREA: The Esplanade Four Mile Beach (Macrossan - Mowbray) closed (residential traffic only); Mowbray and Macrossan Street closed (residential traffic only); Island Point Road closed (residential traffic only) and Murphy Street closed (residential traffic only). The major effect of these closures is to create a pedestrian precinct in the main eclipse area and keep traffic off the hill which has no eclipse views anyway.
LOOKOUT CLOSURES: Rex Lookout (Captain Cook highway), Kuranda Range Lookout (Kennedy Highway) Bob's Lookout (Mulligan Highway) and Flagstaff and Alexandra Range Lookout in the Daintree will all be closed. This is because there are only small parking areas, the areas are needed for emergency service staging and use of the areas would generate traffic congestion on these roads. No parking will be allowed in the vicinity of these lookouts. People will be discouraged from parking remotely and walking to the lookouts as it is not safe to walk along the roads. If you arrive early and set up you will be told to move on.
BEACH AREAS:
OAK BEACH: will be open to vehicular traffic however parking is limited. Once the limited parking capacity is reached the area will be closed. Oak Beach is not a recommended viewing spot due tides and limited beach area.
WANGETTI BEACH: - a large parking area will be available opposite Djarragun College for a gold coin donation to the school. The beach is accessible from this parking area along a 400 metre road. The beach access road will be closed to vehicle traffic from 4pm Tuesday 13 Nov until 12 midday on 14 Nov.
PALM COVE: Boat Ramp Closed from 4pm Tuesday 13 Nov until 12 midday on 14 Nov. Palm Cove jetty parking area closed (to be used for media). Palm Cove Jetty open until it reaches capacity.
BEACHES MISC: Parking availability is limited at many local beaches. For safety reasons, Police and Emergency Services may close down viewing locations if the numbers reach capacity and there is no more parking available.
ROADS GENERALLY: There will be reduced speed zones of 60km/h in the area of Oak Beach and 40km/h in the area of Wangetti. There will be reduced speed and traffic control in the area of the Palmer River Roadhouse on the Mulligan Highway. Police advise that they will be out in force to assist and control where necessary. There will be extra traffic and parking controllers. Speed limits will be enforced and there is likely to be random breath testing (alcohol and drugs).
Many roads in the region can be narrow and winding, with limited places available to park vehicles legally. There is very limited parking along the Captain Cook highway and parking areas will be closed off and vehicles asked to move on if they try to park in unsafe locations or where they may cause congestion. The aim is to keep the traffic flowing. Parking beside the highway can also be dangerous. If you do park beside a roadway make sure you are parked legally and safely. Expect to be moved on if you are parked illegally or causing an unsafe situation. On many roads especially the Mulligan Highway, the road verge is often rocky, uneven and difficult to drive on. There is also a risk of causing a fire if you drive over dry grass with a vehicle and this is an extremely serious issue in the Cape York area as fires can easily get away and burn vast areas with no way of stopping them. Some roads off the Mulligan highway are on private property and many gates will be locked. Property owners often do not welcome visitors due careless visitors who light camp fires and burn out the station.
There is expected to be heavy traffic overnight in the eclipse area and after the eclipse. Plan your journey to arrive in plenty of time and be patient. Up to date information about traffic conditions can be obtained from the Queensland Government Transport and Main Roads department Traffic and Travel Information services: www.131940.qld.gov.au ; 13 19 40 phone line or Twitter feed @131940_FNNQ
TRAFFIC AND MOVEMENT REGISTER: If you are organising a group of people to view the eclipse it is important to fill out the Traffic and Movement Register to assist in planning for a safe and enjoyable experience. Details at http://questionpro.com/t/AIxp8ZNtkg