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Cape York for a couple of mug punters

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002 at 00:00

Mudguts & Steptoe

Looking for realistic advice from those who have done it. We are two mug punters who although we have been driving for 40 odd years but have only
have had 4wd for only past three - prime use to tow caravans with short overnight off road sorties to places that would wreck a conventional
vehicle because of ground clearance. Rarely had need to engage 4WD in that time except on beach sand and then only one minor problem (temporarily bogged )
on beach north of Broome.
Vehicles are 1999 Pathfinder V6 petrol & 2000 T/D Jackaroo.
Our question is how hard would we find the trip to the cape if we use commonsense - we have no intent to climb mount everests or
ford deep and unknow rivers/creeks unless we had very exoerienced guides to show us the pitfalls. We both have lived in country
areas all our lives and will tackle most things but we don't have a screaming need to destroy the vehicles just for want of saying "we've been there!" Is there a safe and practical way to get there with resorting to the rambo tactic of
here goes and to hell with the rest. That's a job for the young and reckless - our rigs have gotta last us a while yet!
One alternative is to travel with a tour company and let them do the worrying but we'd like to do it ourselves without taking stupid risks

With our limited experience, is this possible? We would expect to be in Cooktown around mid/late July - is that the best time for the likes of us?

We'd appreciate the forums advice

Cheers
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AnswerID: 4251   Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Mal replied:

M and S,
Before you leave, ring the police at Bamaga and ask about the road and river conditions with regard to "wetness". If they say it is OK you won't have any trouble at all except for corrugations. If you are unsure about any crossings ask advice and watch what others do. The Old Telegraph Line does have some challenges but it is a lot of fun. Just ask and watch. Have a great time, take recovery gear, and take money for the ferry. Mal Try.
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AnswerID: 4306   Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002 at 00:00

Cashy replied:

The trip to cape york can be as easy or hard as you make it. If you take the bypass road the whole way it is easy as it bypasses all of the OTL challanges and river crossings. But you will have to put up with some of the worst corrigations in Australia if the road hasn't been graded reasonately. The OTL has some difficult challahnges that if approached with out inspection and care will destroy vehicles. But it make the trip feel like you have acheived something. July is a good time to go, I was there last July and the weather was perfect. Hope this helps. Enjoy the trip. Cashy
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AnswerID: 4347   Submitted: Friday, Jun 21, 2002 at 00:00

Cairns Offroad Training & Tours replied:

Hi guys, the Cape that time of year after our driest wet season on record should be no problem. Quite a few of the creeks on the OTL are fairly chopped up but you do not have to go that way if you choose, great spectator sport tho ;-) Pop in and say hello on your way thru Cairns.
Cheers Rob www.4wdtraining.com
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