Sydney - Nth Qld.

Just out of curiosity, did anyone do Sydney to Townsville or Cairns during the 80's. If so which route did you take or what was the primary route? The way I was told and always went was up the New England, Newel and Leichardt Hwys to Mount Morgan then take the Bruce Hwy up from Rockhampton. I just happened to google Sydney to Cairns last night and the map says to take the Carnarvon Hwy through Clermont and Charters Towers to Townsville. I thought maybe the route could have changed in 40 years, or was I travelling off the beaten track even back then?

Mate used to tow a Heather’s trailer with produce from NQ. Took the first track you mentioned.
About 40 miles of gravel around Banana back then but otherwise good. Good road now.
We’ve been both ways with a caravan, lot less traffic via Emerald but that was 2016 - 2018.