Just got back from Cape york

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 17:39
ThreadID: 24720 Views:2826 Replies:4 FollowUps:4
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Hi All
Just got back from Cape York and wow what a trip. It really is a great destination and a lot of fun.

Highlights: creek crossings, The Archer River
Lowlights: None, except maybe a total lack of fish

I wanted to get an oil change in the Patrol before the drive back to Sydney and used the following mechanic:

John Mitchel
36 Water St Cairns
07 4051 0766

I cant recomend this guy more highly. His business is signposted as an Alfa Romeo specialist but he drives a Patrol and is an avid four wheel driver.

I rocked up on a Saturday and asked if he could do an oil change for me that same day as I was heading to Sydney then next day. He said he would do it for me and then to my surprise asked me if I wanted to have a look under the car whilst it was on the hoist to see if I had done any damage up on the cape. We both went over the car with an inspections light, he cheched diff oils for water, tightened my wheel barings, drilled holes in the botom of the flaired wheel gaurds to let the accumulated mud out (apparantly a common thing on GU's).

All I asked for was an oil change. Also he noticed a loose bolt on my roof rack realised it was striped and got a replacement (Rhino) from the Opposite Lock store in front of his workshop (differnet business).

Great guy and great service. He can also reccomend great places to eat in Cairns and some great Scuba Diving spots.

At the tip we stayed at Loyalty beach which is a great sopt to stay. Droped in to have a look at Punsand Bay and must say that reports of its demise seem a little unfounded to me, it looks good too. However would stay at loyalty beach again because of it proximity to the fishing at the wharf at Seisia.

Creb track was closed whilst I was there but access to Roaring Meg falls was open from the north.

Next time I think I will take two cars so that I dont fight with my grilfriend over who gets to do the driving. We did the OTL track on the northbound and southbound trip and after having spoken to people who only did parts of it and traveled the development road the rest of the way I am sure we took the better option. The northern part of the develpment road is apparently quite badly corrugated and a miserable drive, the southern part is a bit better.

Cheers for now

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Reply By: Member - Browny (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 18:07

Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 18:07
Groove,

Rippa little report mate, what tyres did you run and how'd they stand up, also did you go the tent option when on the road or some other option? and wich GU have you got?

Browny
AnswerID: 120379

Follow Up By: Groove - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 21:30

Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 21:30
Hi Browny
I run Bridgstone Dueler ATs. I got the car second hand a few years ago anf they were on it. They were fine, virtually no chips at all. Picked up a screw in one of the tyres but repaired it with one of those plug type puncture repair kits and had no trouble from it.

I have a 3 litre TD June 2000 model. Very happy with it and it handled everything very without a problem. The only mod is a 50mm lift with Bilstiens and King springs.

I use a dome tent, I like to travel as light as possible so not keen on trailers, and rooftop campers dont appeal to my girl friend, climbing down the ladder in the middle of the night.
Cheers

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FollowupID: 375482

Reply By: Leroy - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 19:51

Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 19:51
Just wonndering what Gunshot is like. Hearing rumors that it's unpassable.

Leroy
AnswerID: 120399

Follow Up By: Groove - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 21:40

Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 21:40
Hi Leroy
Gunshot is passable without much trouble heading north but I dont like your chances heading south.

My Patrol is lifted 50mm and got through without any damage or contact with the ground other than the tyres. I was travelling with a fully stock troupie and it also got through no problem also.

Whilst we were there a GQ patrol tried to go up where we had just come down and did a bit of damage to his muffler whilst sliding back down. You could winch up if you felt the urge.

I have been through gunshot in 2001 and there were a few options, this time around there was really only one option. It was quite steep but pretty safe because there was really no where to go other than down, slightly muddy landing to break the fall and not really anywhere to slip off to the side if things go wrong.

Cheers
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FollowupID: 375486

Reply By: Rob from Cairns Offroad Training & Tours - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 21:52

Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 21:52
I just came back from the Cape last sunday. Gunshot was driveable both north and south but that could easily change with continued traffic. Palm creek just north of Bramwell was more dificult than gunshot when travelling south. I would recommend the Heathlands bypass rather than risk damage when travelling south. I head off to the Cape again on the 21\7\05. Cheers Rob
AnswerID: 120429

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Friday, Jul 15, 2005 at 05:54

Friday, Jul 15, 2005 at 05:54
Hi rob I will see you up the top leave port douglas on moday the 25th.

All the best
Eric
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FollowupID: 375510

Follow Up By: Rob from Cairns Offroad Training & Tours - Friday, Jul 15, 2005 at 20:39

Friday, Jul 15, 2005 at 20:39
I leave the Cape on 26th after picking up ppl thay fly to Bamaga on the24th. Bramwell 26 Weipa 27 Musgrave 28 Cooktown 29 Helenvale 30 Cairns 31. I may catch up with you at Musgrave or through Lakefield. Cheers Rob.
PS. My son is a fishing tour guide now a Seisa http://www.seafaris.com.au/
look him up if you have some time Jaryd Berrill
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FollowupID: 375647

Reply By: ferris - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 22:11

Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 22:11
Hi Groove, it sounds like you had a magnificent trip. I hope to be heading up that way myself in the next few weeks. There must have been some really great spots to visit, would you mind sharing them with the rest of us. Cheers Ferris
AnswerID: 120431

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