mystery crake/rail

hi all
just back from a quick flit to qld during which i managed some high-speed birding. 
on sunday coming into harrington near taree in mid-northern NSW a darkish crake or rail of the spotless/spotted size and colouring flew across the road in front of my car. it didn't have the neck or beak or flight of a bittern or heron. the unusual thing about it was it had rufous underwings. 
not claiming it but any ideas of what it might have been would be appreciated.
i'll be heading back through there at slower speed in a few weeks so i might have another look.
a brief trip report will follow.
thanks
shane b
vaucluse