Travelling to Cape York

There are copper mines up that way. The ore is road freighted down to Townsville for processing. I find that the road trains travel at a good speed that matches my towing speed. Just follow them and you will have a pleasant trip.

As far as the "road being bouncy in places" goes, of course it will be that way. It is an inland Qld road, built on unstable ground. The ground under their roads moves a bit and the road surface follows the ground movements. If they wanted to build a perfectly stable road that does not suffer any imperfections, the cost would be so high that they would have very few sealed roads in the state. You either accept these imperfect roads or stay away.

William, are you aware that the Weipa fishing comp is on this weekend? Its a big deal with big prizes etc. I was talking to my son who is somewhere near you now. He came off the Cape on Thursday and said traffic was building. Lots of boats. If you can leave your departure for a day or two it might save you a windscreen.

I drive a 2024 DMax Terrain and your fuel economy towing is similar to my experience. Our van a single axle and I average around 15L/100K.

Enjoy your trip. We love the Cape and envy you.

Kenell

Make sure you spend time in Weipa, top spot and highly recommend Loyalty Beach, great spot and close to the Tip

Thanks for the recommendation Stephen.
Loyalty beach is on the agenda.
William

Safe Travels

Hi William B,

When you say “towing a 17.58-3 Jayco dual wheel outback” do you mean dual axle (4 wheels)?

I would recommend staying at Loyalty Beach rather than Punsand Bay. Same facilities, but sites are more spread out.

Macca.

Yep, sorry.
Dual axle.
Loyalty beach seems to be the one to go too.
William

Sitting at Loyalty beach, thanks to every one for their recommendations.
Made it to the tip today.
What a goat track, went there via the beach and struggled back via the top stoney track.
So far the roads are in very good condition, I dont think I'll get rid of the red dirt staining everything. Off to Thursday Island tomorrow.
Willliam

There is lots to see in the Cape, make sure you see it all

Hi William B,

Great news, enjoy everything that The Cape has to offer. There is plenty of WWII history in the area, from airfield to coast watch. Plus historical settlements and graves.

Macca.

Also make sure you check out the Aboriginal art at Somerset and how to find them

When we were there a local told us that they called it 'Dulux' art.

Yes William, the hike into the Tip is a bit rugged, but thank God for that. If it were easier the place would be choked and there would be McDonalds and all.

At Weipa now, getting myself ready to cheer for the Blues tomorrow night.
The loudness of the cheering might be tempered by the loudness of the cheering around me when the cane toads score??.
Thinking of travelling down to Musgrave and heading down the Lakelands road, does any one have any information on this road towing a van?

Quote "Thinking of travelling down to Musgrave and heading down the Lakelands road"

Do you mean the Lakefield Road through the Lakefield National park? If so, we travelled that road from Cooktown in a tour bus on a trip to the Cape some years back. I don't remember it being any worse than any of the other roads we travelled over. I would not hesitate towing my pop-top caravan along it.

Hi William B,

We travelled from Lakeland to Cooktown back in 2018 towing an 18’ Full Off Road Van. It was quite doable then, but that was 8 years ago. Don’t know what the condition of the road would be now as there has been lots of rain in that area in the intervening years. The road is quite winding in places, with a few steep gullies. What length is your StarCraft?

Macca.

G'day Macca, it is 23ft, dual axle.
William

Macca Lakeland to Cooktown is the Mulligan Hwy. It is a sealed two lane road all the way. It is the best road from the south to Cooktown.

Hi Peter D, & William B,

My mistake, just checked my travel notes and maps again, we travelled on the road between Laura to Cooktown through Battle Camp. Definitely not the same road, and not one I would recommend taking a 20’+ van through.

Sorry for the confusion.

Macca.

Hi William,
We travelled from Cooktown to Musgrave via Battle Camp some years ago.
It was a nice enough trek in the Troopy and I would do it again to escape the traffic but I would not wish to haul a 23ft caravan through there.
Narrow with tight turns in places and some small creek crossings. Not particularly scenic except for some lily ponds.

At Musgrave roadhouse, sitting here with my tail between my legs after Wednesday nights fiasco.

Heading to Cooktown tomorrow via Lakefield road.
I spoke to the support driver for motor bike tour group who came up from Cooktown today.
Driving a Isuzu NPR I think it was.
He said he had no problem with the road and was sitting at 80-90 for most of the way.
He mentioned the river crossing was about 500mm, and said if I stayed a bit closer to the left I should be fine.
If in doubt when I get to old Laura homestead I can head to Laura and then onto Cooktown.
I keep you posted on how we get on.
William

Currently at Laura, travelled down from Musgrave road house via the Marina Plains road and Lakefield road as far as the river crossing near Old Laura.
Had a look at the crossing and went went into Laura to look at the rock art site.
Will travel back on the Endeavor Battle camp road across the river and then onto Cooktown.
The roads so far have been excellent to good with one particularly deep but dry creek crossing about 94 k's south of Musgrave.
Road crews at the northern end and around the southern end.
Other then the mentioned deep causeway it was very "doable".
Let's see how we go getting across the river.
William

William B,

Your choice of course, but the Battle Camp road is not one I would choose to take a 20’+ van on. Very winding in places with tight turns. I will be very interested to know how you get on.

Regards,

Macca.

Currently at the river crossing having a cuppa while everything cools down.
I'll update later this afternoon.
William

Made it through the river crossing and up and over the range.
Certainly tight and twisty on the way through.
There has been some road works which I think maybe made it easier, but you had to be aware of the Yahoo boys in convoy who were doing a unsafe speed if they came across anybody coming the opposite way, and not a lot use ch. 40 for comms.
But we made it, now to enjoy Cooktown and surrounds.
William

What’s the weather like in Cooktown at the moment?

The last time we were there it was very windy

Safe Travels

Stephen, It was windy at stages but it has settled down now.
Very pleasant.
William

Today it is extremely windy, not liking it at all.