Hi

we are driving from Cairns to Brisbane over 10 days in Feb 2005. just wanted to know what are the road conditions likely to be like at that time of year? This is our potential itinery
Palm Cove to Townsville ( with a night on magnetic island)
Townsville to Airlie beach
Airlie Beach to Eungell national park
Engella to Rockhampton
Rockhampton to hervey bay
hervey bay to brisbane

Is there any advice you can give to make sure we have a safe and interesting trip?

thanks

The Bruce Highway is generally a good-quality, mostly 2-lane road that runs off the coast through agricultural fields. I can't think of much of a difference in the road until you get down towards Hervey Bay, where it becomes a more substantial highway.

The road into Finch Hatton Gorge is unsealed, and after a while, makes several river crossings. In February, I would expect that some of these crossings may be too deep for 2WD vehicles.

The road up to Eungella Summit, and Broken River is a narrow 2-lane sealed road, and the last part is quite steep with hairpin switchbacks. I would not attempt this road at night, and sometimes the upper part is shrouded in fog, which also makes for dicey driving.

Most of the Bruce Highway, is single "each way", except for areas where the road is "divided" and has 2 lanes on each side (mainly down near Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast regions)
Your itinerary allows for a comfortable drive each day, thus allowing stops for sightseeing. Its important to have stops every so often, to circulate the bloodflow, as they say, stop, revive & survive.
Might I suggest during the daylight hours, drive with your main beam headlights on. Its a good way of letting other people on the road, know that your are there. (Don't forget to turn them off when stopped) Also allow a "safe" distance behind the vehicle in front, to allow yourself to make any emergency decision, with safety. I have seen trucks on this Highway, tailgating cars, about 3 metres behind them, just slow down & let them pass, they are just idiot drivers. You should find overtaking lanes every so often.
No doubt you have researched all the places on your route, but could say one thing, you will need 2 nights stopover in Hervey Bay, if you want to visit Fraser Island. February is outside of school holidays, so I don't think you will have to book before arriving, but it wouldn't hurt in any case, to book before the night before arriving in Hervey Bay. Any advice or phone numbers of Fraser Island operators, sing out, and I will list them all, (and also show you how to get a discount as well)
Happy travels

carty - there are several spots north of Townsville where road can flood - February is early wet season. It's a disgrace that this so often happens - although federal budget funds have been allocated for Queensland roads you can bet most of it will be spent in the south of the state. So the road can be cut for 3-4 days - I've been caught in March and a regular contributor to this forum AndrewD was caught in April this year- he's mentioned it several times on this forum. The state motoring association - RACQ - gives regular reports on road conditions for travellers.

Thanks for the advice, tropo would appreciate any further advice on accomodation.we were planning to just get accomodation when we arrived however have found a great website travelmate.com.au where i can book ahead - or will i get better rates waiting nearer the time?

I don't know of that website, but I can tell you "February" is off season, so you shouldn't have any trouble with accommodation in Hervey Bay. There are numerous apartments along the Esplanade, Resorts down near the Marina, also motels, and approx. 20 caravan parks, and not forgetting backpacker accommodation.
The high season rates are usually pertaining to school holiday/public holidays/or special events.
There are no school holidays in February nor public holidays. Before taking up residence in Hervey Bay, I visited here in February this year, to check out real estate, and due to the drop off in tourists, they were offering a day trip out to Kingfisher Bay resort (on the western side of Fraser Island)....2 adults for the price of one, this included the boat trip, lunch, but not a tour of the island itself.
There is another tour that can be done from Hervey bay, and that is a flight out to Lady Elliot Island on the GBR, then a day diving or walking the island.
I don't think you will have any trouble getting accommodation in the Bay, during February.