Cape York - a couple of track questions

Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 08:19
ThreadID: 26225 Views:6085 Replies:5 FollowUps:3
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Hi All

Heading off to Cape York tomorrow. The advance party should arrive in Cairns today – they get to drive from Melbourne. I have to fly. To stop me feeling jealous I am doing a little extra route planning for up there. So I have a couple of questions on tracks for those familiar with the Peninsula.

there is creek mouth on the east side called Stoney Creek, South of Lockhart river and north of Cape Sidmouth. Approx position is 13 20 31S and 143 31 50E. My Natmap shows two tracks nearly meet there, the southern from the development road and the northen to Lockhart river. Question is – do they meet and is there a ford there? We have 5 vehicles and well equipped – anyone done it before?

where Frenchmans Track comes out on the Southern Bypass, turn south approx 1.5Klm and there is a turnoff to the West, goes past Batavia Downs and on to Sudley where it joins the development road. Is this an open/public track? I have in the back of my mind that Batavia Downs are not keen on travellers but I would welcome a correction. This looks like a good road to get across to Weipa turnoff.

cheers
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Reply By: desert - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 08:40

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 08:40
No access thru Batavia Downs. Can't help with the Stoney Creek question, sorry
AnswerID: 128800

Follow Up By: Rob from Cairns Offroad Training & Tours - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 20:28

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 20:28
No problems with access thru Batavia Downs.
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FollowupID: 383475

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 06:50

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 06:50
Rob does your son drive the white 60.

All the best
eric
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FollowupID: 383507

Reply By: Willykj - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 09:01

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 09:01
Hi Gazza

The road from Batavia Downs to Sudley was in good condition last year. Only 1 creek crossing that was a little slippery. It seemed to be well used - no gates or anything - we passed quite an amount of traffic. I doubt that it is closed now.
Willy
AnswerID: 128804

Follow Up By: mid life - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 09:20

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 09:20
Went through there in July this year wasn't closed and was in good condition. If your coming from Chilly Beach to Weipa its the quickest way the turn off is only about 1.5 k's south from where the Frenchman's hits the Main OTL, it's right beside the airstrip you can't miss it.

Have a good trip

Cheers
Jeff
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FollowupID: 383375

Reply By: Pterosaur - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 09:43

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 09:43
G'day gazza,

Batavia Downs road is OPEN if you want to connect from the bypass road to the Weipa road as desired - I have spent the last month (August) on the Cape, and used the road myself several times, as do most travellers.

A word of caution though, much of it is BADLY corrugated - the large sort, not just the little ones, so you'll get quite a shaking !

regards
Terry
AnswerID: 128811

Reply By: andoland - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 14:10

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 14:10
The Batavia/Sudley track is a gazetted public road. It even has a name (there is a signpost on the PDR at the Sudley end) but I can't remember the name off hand.
AnswerID: 128861

Reply By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 18:13

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005 at 18:13
The worst cooooooorugattttttions in the cape are across Batavia.
They were 3 weeks ago.

All the best
Eric
AnswerID: 128914

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