Development Rd. Cape York

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 03, 2014 at 16:28
ThreadID: 109002 Views:2081 Replies:4 FollowUps:0
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Hi all.

After a lot of ups and downs, we are at Mount Molloy free camp ready to go on to Cooktown and then do the back road to Laura, but campers close to us said that the Development Rd. was so corrugated that they had had to give up the idea of doing the cape this year.

Has somebody come along the Development Rd. in the past few days, and what is it like to take an off road van (slow and tyre pressure down to 25/30).


Thanks in advance

Rob.

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Reply By: pegrev55 - Sunday, Aug 03, 2014 at 19:21

Sunday, Aug 03, 2014 at 19:21
We have just towed a van up the development road and landed at the top. It is corrugated in places but we thought it pretty good. Everything is relative to own experience & expectations. We were able to sit on 60 - 80 kms except for a short section after the Ferry. We will be heading back down on Wednesday.
Geoff P
AnswerID: 537105

Reply By: Bludge - Sunday, Aug 03, 2014 at 19:55

Sunday, Aug 03, 2014 at 19:55
Rob,

I have several groups of friends either just completed of still up the cape and friend on the way up from Melbourne now.

The 2 groups who are currently up the Cape, one in Seisia and the other at Punsands had no complaints the ones who have already returned had no issues.

One mans corrugation is another mans highway.

I would suggest that you travel up to Laura, then ask, then check at the at Musgrave, Coen which is the worst section, then Archer River, Morton, Bramwell, the by-pass to the Jardine is always a little choppy, but if you "smell the roses" visit Cpt Billy, Fruit Bat falls it will break up the trip and the corrugations.

Good luck.
AnswerID: 537110

Reply By: Member - escapesilv - Monday, Aug 04, 2014 at 16:43

Monday, Aug 04, 2014 at 16:43
Thanks for replies, will be of great help, leaving Cooktown tomorrow.

Thanks

Rob.
AnswerID: 537165

Reply By: CSeaJay - Monday, Aug 04, 2014 at 22:51

Monday, Aug 04, 2014 at 22:51
Rob

Conditions change real quick. We went up once, just before school holidays. At one long section around Hann I recall sitting comfortably on 100km/hr (safely, thats not the point)
And less than three weeks later that same section was sooo bad we drove sections on the shoulder to avoid corrugations.
Dont put it off mate, do it if you want to, maybe it will be graded again before you head back down.
AND as stated by others, if you are sensible, air down and adjusting your speed accordingly you should be fine whatever the conditions.
CJ
AnswerID: 537183

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