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Cape York from Cairns...Thursday Island

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 14:47

jfwaust

We are planning an 8-10 week trip July August Sept next year Adelaide to Adelaide via Charleville Mt Isa Savannah Way Cairns Cape York then following the coast back to Pt Macquarie before going across NSW to home.

I have read the archive posts re Cape York time frame and think 2 weeks is enough to do Cairns Cape York Cairns. Does anyone REALLY disagree with me.

We are also going over to Thursday Island. Is 1 day enough or should we stay overnight ?

We've ordered the Cape York dvd from the Oz shop. Are there any other good ones on the market that you can recommend.

Thanks everyone...Janet
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AnswerID: 265021   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 15:00

Footloose replied:

Cairns Cape York Cairns.....2 weeks ? What exactly do you intend to see? In 2 weeks, not much.
Reply 1 of 7
FollowupID: 526846   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 15:04

jfwaust posted:

This is what I mean. Can you give us some idea of a time frame you would use and your absolute must sees. Until we get our dvd we really are just planning.

Thanks for replying...Janet
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 526850   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 15:09

Footloose posted:

Well, I'd plan on three and spend a couple of days in Weipa, do the French track to Portland Roads and Chilli Beach, Captain Billys Landing, plus have a wander around the other side of the river.
Its all subjective, you can do it in two weeks. What are your interests ? Why are you going there ?
It's a unique place, take the time to enjoy it before it's gone.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 265023   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 15:17

Rosco - Qld replied:

4 weeks minimum. What Footy said + the west coast, Vyrilla Pt, Pennefarther, Mapoon is a must, Stones Crossing is worthwhile and you need to allow about a week to make a decent fist of the return run up the OTL and back which includes time for enjoying it and seeing things. Forget the Bypass Rd, unless you like boredom and corrugations.

T.I. for 1 day is OK, o/nite is better as you can also check out Horn which is worthwhile.

Enjoy
Reply 2 of 7
FollowupID: 526863   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 16:37

Member - Oldplodder (QLD) posted:

Rosco, Agree with you.
We had 3 weeks and most nights were one night stands, except for 3 nights at the tip, and two nights in Weipa.
Did the run up the middle, out to Chilli beach, bit around Laura etc, but were on the move most of the time. Still missed a lot.

People don't seem to realise that Carins is only 2/3rds the way to the tip from Brisbane in kilometres, and less than half way in driving time, driving flat out.
Like saying 3 weeks Melbourne to Sydney and back to Melbourne using only dirt roads and tracks and no bitumen, and seeing everything you want on the way. :o)

We did do the OT in one day (14 hours for 350k) from Weipa to the tip, but we were trying to catch up with friends, took our time coming back, three days and that wasn't hanging around either.

Need to plan another visit before it gets too busy!


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FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 526896   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 18:26

Rosco - Qld posted:

Mate

I've been there twice. 1st time 4 weeks, last about 6. Both nominally Cairns/Cairns. I'd be back there in a flash, if there wasn't so much else of this great country to see.

Cheers
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 526899   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 18:30

Rosco - Qld posted:

PS Janet

Don't forget Cape Melville/Bathurst Bay and Lakefield NP .. both not to be missed. The list goes on and on........

Cheers
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 265061   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 19:10

ferris replied:

That's a big trip for 10 weeks..... it all depends on how much time you plan to spend stopped and having a look around. You won't be able to see everything, so you'll need to prioritise. I once met a bloke who seriously planned to circumnavigate oz in just 21 days.

I REALLY disagree with you but then you're doing the trip not me.

You can easily see all of TI in one day it's only a small place, and accommodation is very expensive.

I suggest you get Ron & Viv Moon's book on Cape York and a good quality map.

Keep the shiny side up
Ferris
Reply 3 of 7
AnswerID: 265081   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 20:49

jfwaust replied:

Mmmmmmmm........Seems like we may need to reconsider.

I have the Ron and Viv Moon book on hold at my library.

This is why I post on exploerOz because of the wealth of knowledge and common sense.

Thanks everyone...Our thinking caps are back on.

Janet
Reply 4 of 7
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AnswerID: 265086   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 21:28

Eric from Cape York Connections replied:

2 weeks in my opinion is a bit short If you want a good look around 3-5 weeks.
you can do the TI and horn island trip in one day out of seisia for about 170 per head includes bus trip around TI ferry across to horn bus trip around horn and a nice lunch.
Horn island is very interesting with WW2 history.

All the best
Eric
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Reply 5 of 7
AnswerID: 265089   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 21:45

David from David and Justine Olsen's 4WD Tag-Along replied:

yep allow 3 weeks minimum on the Cape
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FollowupID: 526955   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 22:08

Member - Brian H (QLD) posted:

I agree 3 weeks min on The Cape. I plan on returning (maybe next year) and am looking at 6 weeks Bris - Bris with 4 weeks in The Cape.

Brian
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FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 265178   Submitted: Friday, Oct 05, 2007 at 15:22

Member -Signman replied:

Just did a 2-weeker as per your enquiry..
Cairns to Cooktown via Bloomfield Track
Cooktown to Lakefield N/P visiting all the recommended spots.
Lakefield N/P to Moreton via Coen, Archer River
Moreton to Jardine River via OTL
Jardine Riv to Seisa via Bamaga
2 days at Seisa including mandatory visit to The Tip, day trip to TI & Horn Island, good look around WW2 wrecks around Bamaga, a look in at Punsand Bay.
Seisa to Bramwell Station visiting Fruit Bat & Twin Falls
Bramwell to Weipa including the bus tour of town & mines
Weipa to Archer River
Archer river to Hann River
Hann Riv to Mareeba

Had a real good look around the area. Didn't drive flat chat, and had plenty of time to set up camp and enjoy the views.
Obviously it's one of those place you have to go back to.
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Reply 7 of 7