Dozens of cars and trucks have been damaged after bitumen on a recently resurfaced road in far north Queensland started to melt on Wednesday.
Sandra Burke of the Department of Transport and Main Roads told the ABC the tarmac was resurfaced last week but became damaged due to wet weather.
Ms Burke said the extreme hot temperatures that followed caused the surface to melt.
"We have extreme weather conditions [here]. Unusually cold weather and wet weather ... and the short impact of the hot weather yesterday caused the situation to occur."
Local newspaper the Tablelander talked to one driver who went on the road in a semi-trailer truck - damaging each one of its 34 wheels.
Machinery and road seal experts have since been called in.
The department has offered compensation for vehicles or properties damaged by the melted road.
