Planing a trip to the cape - need advice

[SLO78U]

Guys,

Looking at doing a run to the cape next year in July and am starting to plan now.

Will be going up the east coast. Down the west. Barge from weipa. Through Julia creek back to Townsville then home to bris.

Anyone done it that time of year?
Amount of time needed to do it with ease. Don't want to do many extra long days. Would like to stay at nice spots for a day break here and there.
Camping, hotels, pubs, food, fuel ? Best spots?

All advice welcome, prior knowledge will make it a better trip.

Cheers

[nine2nine]

Ill be up there the end of June (3.5 weeks) again, will be starting the tele track on the 24th. Will be taking two weeks which is pretty comfortable, but the longer the better. Not much to worry about, pretty easy going, take most of your food with you but you can stock up. There really isnt much to plan other then how you're going to pack the car, spare parts, etc. Best to just get up there is plan it as you go.

Any 4x4 with a snorkel wont have any dramas.

[blute]

Pack beer-lots of beer; and zipties.......

[80DGY]

don't forget to let me know when you're coming through the 'ville so we can get on the sauce, always love to show some local hospitality (can't guarantee sluts). Can guarantee we'll be getting well slotted though

[demuire]

80DGY knows how to have a good time

[matlennon]

Ill more than likely be in Weipa around that time too. Ill keep an eye out for trip details closer to the date.

[gbanger]

Im going next July my self.
I'm taking tanks for 180 litres deisel,2 spare tyres,general spares,plenty of piss,we are sleeping on my hilux roof racks in swags(for fear of crocs)
But buying all supplies at cooktown then hitting the track.north.
,we are meeting on the 27th June 2013 at cairns for 4 weeks in total .might see you up there.
I've got a snorkel,lifted,winch,Uhf ,maybe getting a front locker
Sr hilux it should make it ok.

[oxy]

I would love to do this on a bike one day

[Uncle]

For sure Oxy it's very much on my to-do list.

[myliberty]

Jealous. Want to do it also.

PF cape trip?

[oxy]

PF cape trip?

Registering my interest (I know we've talked about this before too).

[myliberty]

next year doable? I reckon I could be organised enough for next year.

Truck just needs a a/c belt tentioner fixed, new clutch, hub seals replaced and all breathers checked and mounted high. Ready to rock and roll over.

[Spoonfed]

I would love to do this on a bike one day

I would love to do this on a bike one day

QFT!

DRZ crew interest registered!

calculating economy stats for trip up there now.............. ps Oxy's a cunt

[myliberty]

QFT!

DRZ crew interest registered!

calculating economy stats for trip up there now.............. ps Oxy's a cunt

tow bikes to cairns on trailer. Put trailer in storage for 4 weeks, tow bikes home.

[nine2nine]

You'll need a support vehicle. Something that can carry the fuel, food, cooking equipment and a broken bike if need be. Best being something towing a box trailer.

[myliberty]

I'd take a box trailer behind the shorty if I go. Can chuck a broken bike on roof racks if you need to, or drag it behind the truck on a chain.

[80DGY]

happy to drink with any of you cunts

[MRMOPARMAN]

would also love to do this one day. i think its at least 5 years off for me though

so is it possible to get LPG/petrol along the way easily.. or is it a diesel only thing?

[theblacktexta]

The trick to Gunshot Creek is to get a BIG run-up.

[sv_i]

Distant relative of mine runs the ferry on the Jardine River, another one owns the servo and a couple of big boats in Bamagah (spelling?).

Do the grade the telegraph track anymore? Blokes used to bang on about how to sit at certain speeds to skim over the top of the corrugations. One bloke reckoned about 80 kays an hour was a good speed. Met him on the side of the track with a broken axle later that day.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmoparpinkpenisman: You can get petrol, but not LPG. Tarp for river crossings isn't a bad idea, even with a snokel.

[nine2nine]

Still grade it but still gets corrugated. I generally sit on 80 for corrugations with 28psi in the tyres. Tyre pressure makes biggest difference for smoothing out corrugations.

[gbanger]

PF cape trip?

Im keen,but its got to be next july when im going there.

[MRMOPARMAN]

you guys seem to be well prepared, but just in case.

i noticed at my local supermarket 4x4 action has rereleased its 'iconic destinations' handbook, issue 1 - cape york. might have something in it you could use?

[SLO78U]

Cool.

I have been sitting with the map each night planning where to go and stop.

Working out fuel, food, fishing spots.

When I get round to getting it all organized I'll post up the itinery. ( might be a few weeks off though )

[tim510]

Distant relative of mine runs the ferry on the Jardine River, another one owns the servo and a couple of big boats in Bamagah (spelling?).

Do the grade the telegraph track anymore? Blokes used to bang on about how to sit at certain speeds to skim over the top of the corrugations. One bloke reckoned about 80 kays an hour was a good speed. Met him on the side of the track with a broken axle later that day.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmoparpinkpenisman: You can get petrol, but not LPG. Tarp for river crossings isn't a bad idea, even with a snokel.

Having just got back from the shitbox rally, I can confirm that a higher average speed over corrugations is better than driving slow. With the really heavy stuff, I found it best to knock it back a gear and gun it.

[80DGY]

If anf of you cunts do happen to come through the 'ville and still have some camping left in you, I can take you to some alright spots. So serene you can almost feel the serenity

[myliberty]

If anf of you cunts do happen to come through the 'ville and still have some camping left in you, I can take you to some alright spots. So serene you can almost feel the serenity

Been up to Running river? used to go up there all the time with family. Top spot.

[yogi]

I have done the Cape a couple of times ... lots of fun.

Do a google on the following tracks all worth doing. (in order as you head north)
CREB
Frenchman's
OTL (nine2nine NO they don't grade the OTL your thinking of the Peninsular Development Road)


Places worth stopping at on the East coast. (in order as you head north)
Elim Beach
Cape Melvill
Chilli Beach
Captain Billy's Landing
Somerset


Places worth stopping at on the West coast. (in order as you head south)
Seisia (good fishing off the jetty and where you catch the ferry to TI)
Virilya Point (especially Crystal Creek)
Penny Farthing River (good fishing)


Inland places worth stopping at.
Lions Den Hotel
Old Laura
May Town
Fruit Bat Falls
Twin Falls


Places to get fuel as you head north
Cooktown
Musgrave Station
Coen
Archer River
Bramwell Junction (Start of the OTL)
Bamaga
Seisia


Places to stay at the tip. (I recommend you book)
Seisia
Loyalty Beach
Punsand Bay


Stuff to do at the top.
RAAF WW2 radar bunker
WW2 plane crash sites (2 both located near the Bamaga air strip)
TI (Thursday Island)
fish
do the walk to the TIP
Somerset
The Croc Tent


When to go ......
May - most roads will still be closed except to locals with permits. OTL ect will be extreme
June - some roads will still be closed. OTL ect will be moderate
July - all roads should be open. OTL ect will be easy to moderate


That will keep you going for a while.
yogi

[oxy]

Geez, all the old members are coming out of the woodwork lately. I haven't seen you Yogi since you slept (ok, passed out) in my back shed during a housewarming back in 2006

[yogi]

I have been busy doing the Cape ......

yogi