Cape York Trip

Well firstly, you won't be alone, as the Cape is really not that remote anymore.
The PDR, if not graded will stress your vehicle and yourself more than the OTT, the OTT is a great drive, most crossings on the OTT have "chicken tracks" that will get you around the worst parts. If you want, you can drive in and look at some of the more serious crossings, then come back out and continue on. You can take the Heathlands ranger station turn off and come back into Gunshot Creek from the north if you want to have a look, and then continue on the OTT, crossing the PDR to continue on to the north part of the OTT. There is pretty much camping at all the crossings, but you will need to get in reasonably early to secure a spot. Pennyfather river is accessible from Weipa, Chili beach on the east coast, mind you it can get a bit windy, also Sadd and Usher Points, the Frenchmans track and the five beaches run and Somerset, also Muttee Heads has free camping (as long as you have purchased your Jardine ferry ticket, which allows you to camp on Injunoo lands north of the Jardine). There is also Bathurst Heads on Prince Charlotte bay, which is east of Lakefield Nat park.
Try to travel light and adjust your tyre preassures accordingly, and take out your rubbish

Hi Rob

I am in the process of writing another Blog, this time on our seven week Cape York trip from mid July and August this year.

First of all, if you have a snorkel on your vehicle, make sure that you get a snorkel filter (we had and used 3) and filter cleaner and oil to clean it.

Do not travel during school holidays, they say they place is just crazy, with over hours to cross the Jardine River on the ferry.

Do not be in a hurry, slow down, drop your tyre pressures and drive to the conditions with your head lights on....you will soon see why.

It might look remote on a map, but the longest time that we went without seeing another vehicle on the PDR was around 10 minutes.

Be prepared to encounter the most crazy drivers we have ever come across, passing us on the inside, passing you like there was no tomorrow through a wall of dust not knowing what is coming through the dust in front of you and showering with with rocks.

There is no need to carry extra fuel, as the longest sections between fuel stops is around the 200km mark, sometimes even less.

The best place for the most reliable and up to date information at the tip is the Croc Tent, they are just so helpful.

We loved Wiepa and spent 4 days exploring the area.

We were travelling solo, also with our Ultimate camper and only went into the side trips of the Telegraph Track to witness crazy guys ruining their new vehicles.

Each to their own when staying at the top of the Cape, we stayed at Loyalty Beach and loved the solitude there.

When you get to the Somerset camping area, head left on the beach and follow the rock hopping after the headland to see the unique Aboriginal Rock Art. Do not be temped the walk through the water instead of the rock hopping as we were warned by the lady at the Croc tent that there is a resident 4m saltie that will stalk people that get close to the water. I did not see it, but took no chances.

Read as much as you can and the 2 books that I found most helpful were "Cape York Travel & Adventure Guide" by Ron Moon and the "Cape York" Atlas & Guide put out by Hema Maps.

As a say, Research, Research, Research.

You will love the Cape and like all that have travelled it, plan a return visit.



Cheers




Stephen

Well said Stephen L "Research, Research, Research"

A good place to start would be here. Cape York Trek Note

Rob

Spend the $30-40 and buy the HEMA or Ron Moon books on "doing the Cape". Read them then come back and ask more specific questions
There are plenty of Cape York Blogs on this web site, and that's before Stephen publishes his masterpiece.
I found those books most helpful for planning and ultimately use on the trip
Hope you are allowing at least a fortnight from Cairns to the tip and back

Mark

Hi Rob, where are you starting your trip from? We left Melbourne Sept.16th, travelled up through Echuca, Deniliquin, Hay, Goolgowi, Hilston, Cobar, Bourke, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Augathella, Tambo, Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, Kynuna, Julia Creek, Wills Developmental Road to Bourke & Wills Roadhouse, then on to Normanton, Karumba, Dunbar, to the Peninsula Developmental Road just south of Musgrave, then on up to the Cape.

We towed our 2.5 T Off Road caravan all the way & back without any breakages. Got back to Melbourne Oct. 26th.

At the Cape, we stayed at Punsand Bay because it was closest to the tip, but if we were going again, we would probably stay at Loyalty Beach, as it is generally quieter.Punsand Bay has a restaurant & bar, so does Loyalty Beach, both are pet friendly. Loyalty Beach is also closer to Seisia & Bamaga which have small supermarkets.

Fuel is expensive up at the tip, the cheapest was at the community operated service station at Injinoo, but this service station is not open on Sundays.
If you just want to Beach Camp with no facilities, then go to Somerset on the East coast near the tip. There are quite a few camp sites, but they are very open and can be quite windy. There are other camp sites on the 5 beaches loop track heading south from Somerset, but the track can be a little rough, and they are also windy camp sites.

Pick up a map of the area from The Croc Tent, they are very helpful with info about the area, plus have a good range of souvenirs.

We did The Old Tele Track on the way back, leaving the van Bramwell Junction Roadhouse. My wife wasn't interested in doing TOTT, so she stayed with the van while her brother & I drove TOTT. We left Bramwell Junction at about 08:00 and were back at camp by about 17:30 the same night. This included stops at Fruit Bat Falls for a swim, and Eliot/Twin Falls. As we were late in the season, all of the creek & river crossing were not deep, but it still pays to walk the bigger ones first to check for holes, logs & rocks. There are "chicken tracks" around most of the bigger crossings including Gunshot. As someone else has already suggested, you can by-pass Gunshot altogether. Palm Creek, Gunshot & Nolans are probably the worst of the creek crossings, but all can be crossed safely if you are careful & pick the correct line.

As far as side trips, we thought Weipa was disappointing, not sure what we expected, but it is small, with only a small shopping area.

Somerset was interesting as it has a bit of history about it.

Unfortunately we did not get out to Lockhart River, but I believe it is worth the side trip.

Cooktown is worth visiting, very historic, we stayed at The Peninsular Caravan Park as it is pet friendly (we travel with our dogs), plenty of shade, good ammenities and a reasonable price.

Check out The Lions Den Hotel situated 4 kms south of the Mulligan Highway on the Bloomfield track south of Cooktown. You can camp behind the pub, but I do not know what their fees or amenities are.

Port Douglas is very commercial, expensive & "touristy". We stayed at Newell Beach at the Newell Beach Caravan Park which is approx. 30 kms north of Port Douglas. Good Value although very small, with the beach directly across the road from the park. We did not get up to Cape Tribulation as it is in the National Park, and we have our dogs.

Follow The Captain Cook Highway down to Cairns, it follows the coast all the way. Great scenic road, similar to The Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Macca.

I am following this topic with interest as I am planning on doing a trip to the Cape in May/June 2019.
Doing pretty much the same as Rob mentioned though we are leaving from WA.