Cape York,solo and towing

Hi there
We will be there in September also in two vehicles - one towing a camper trailer (they have been there before) and one in double cabin ute with Travelander on the tray. Can only do school holidays as the others are teachers and kids. So - if you need a hand there will be many willing helpers I am sure. Both parties have done a fair bit of 4WD travelling. Cheers rojo

Been trying to find some figures on the number of toursists, as we heard earlier this year that in the last year 80,000 people went up (or was that vehicles!).

We did it in 2006 and I have heard that there were only around 10,000 that year, it has grown enormously. I put it down to youtube - demystifing the challenges, showing how much the effort is worth it, beuatiful scenery etc.

In 2006 I thught it was just the right amount of people - we occasionally camped on our own next to some crossings, and most days had 5-20 vehicles pass thorugh if we were staying put that day.

Can't imagine what 80,000 would be like - the rubbish, so many people when the point of going is to be out in the wild, destruction of habitat...

Anyway - anyone else have some figures to share? I searched some tourist reports and stuff a few months ago, out of interest, but couldn't verify anything. Was going to ask at the stations like Bramwell and Archer River on our way up this year, whether they have noticed a huge jump in numbers in the past 5 years...

I believe over 62000 vehicles crossed on the ferry at the Jardine last year giving some idea of the numbers these days.

Thanks for that Vaughn - good info.
we have friends staying a few months near Port Douglas and the word is that thousands have gone up to the Cape this year. I do wonder how much busier it is compared to 2006.

anyway, cheers, Liz

Hi Doc - good to see the feedback you have got, as we were looking for the same type of info.

We went up in 2006 by ourselves in July - a 100 series towing a camprite, four kids. We did the whole OTT both ways on our own. But having said that - at many of the corssings, there were others, so a couple of times we had some young lads calling our wheels line and available to help winch if needed. Sometime just the company and another opinion, or watching a vehicle go before you is a help, even if you aren't in their party.

Our hairiest moment was going south over the wooden log bridge, we had a tricky line to get car and camper into place, handbrake not working on a lsope.... we were totally alone for 2 hours or os, no-0one else travelling that day it seemed, and did it all ourselves. Very proud of our achievements.

Our approach then was to always assess if we could return through previous crossings, so that if we came to one that we chose not to do, we could backtrack. However, we never decided to backtrack!

Considering the other tracks you have mentioned, CSR etc, you will have no trouble, even if alone - just assess each obstacle and make your own decisions.

Hi Doc, yes we are planning something similar, although we might take that advise about avoiding the school holidays! We 'll be in our new Earthcruiser, so if you see us do say g'day! We will enjoy a beer or two with you.

Wow, that is a phenomenal amount of vehicles /people, Liz S2 (looks like skinny dipping is out at the water holes) gave me a good idea though, I'll phone the Jardine ferry to see if they keep numbers on vehicles.
No worries Berylvt, will keep an eye out, The earthcruiser won't be hard to spot
Thankyou to the others who have responded also, all worthwhile comments

Cheers

Doc