Cape York Trip

Leave the camper at home and take a tent.
2 men 1 tent the snoring will keep all native animals away

All the best
Eric

Done the Cape York thing twice now and both times in an OzTent. Most convenient and hassle free way to do this trip that I know of....and if you do the right thing and select your campsites carefully you probably won't even see a croc let alone be one's dinner.

We've been to the Cape (2002), part of the Savannah Way (Burketown to Borroloola, 2005) and the Simpson (2004), amongst may other trips, using just a three-man dome tent and air mattress (left the caravan safely in a caravan park each time).

No doubt the OzTent is a quality bit of gear and very easy to use but we're quite satisfied with our $50 Oz-Trail 3-Dome tent - takes only 5-10 minutes to erect/pack-away. For that sort of money you can have one each and still have plenty of cash left over for fuel... Another possibility for quick, basic camping in the Dry would be swags?

We camped at Kalpowar Crossing (Lakefield NP), Archer River & Twin Falls on the way up to the Cape. The only slightly dodgy one was Kalpowar - while we were up on the flat ground above a high bank, we were still not that far from the water as the crow flies (or as the croc walks??) but these were the official National Park camping sites so you'd hope the Rangers considered them safe.

On the Savannah Way, I'd recommend detours to Lawn Hill NP and Kingfisher Camp on the Nicholson River - both well worth a visit. I've written some brief 'travelogs' of these trips - send me an email if you'd like copies for your 'research'.

Ian

I am mad keen to do the Cape again..But,being a drifter,will have to get into gear and book with Eric of Cape York Connections,before they are booked out..All our majpr adventures have been with pro guides..Amazing people,and they,of course,know the good spots to see and best camp spots..Also,being ex army,I have found the fact,that there is an element of disipline,which,although,rather like an undercurrent,not visible when things are rolling along ok,comes int play when things (usually people) go wrong..Highly desirable! Also,they have a powerful respect for the ways of nature and, best of all,have total control over litter and polution of fresh-water..They are in fact (although rarely reconised as such) a strong ally of the N.P.W.L.S. and,as such,are a pleasure to travel with..We have formed life long friendships from all our excursions..Have fun..RockyOne!MPG:6!

We recently did a commercial camping trip and I often wondered just how safe we were alongside large bodies of water, there are a lot of photos in the link and two reports so far. Carolyn

Cape York Trip

Hi,

am only recently returned home to Tas. from spending 6 - 7 weeks on the Cape, and a couple more along the Savannah way, to Roper Bar.

Travelled mainly by myself, camped either in the poptop (Troopy), or in a lightweight bushwalking tent (when the mozzies were thick) for most of the time in bush camps.

Crocs aren't much of a problem, as long as you maintain an awareness of their presence, or potential presence and camp and behave accordingly - there are a number of NPWS brochures ("Croc Wise" is one ) which provide helpful advice if you are totally unfamiliar with the beasts.

I am a flyfisher, so was camped near water bodies with lots of fish (therefore lots of crocs !) for most of my trip. In general, most campsites on and off the "beaten track" have been set up with crocs in mind, and are, in my mind at least, safe.

Along the Savannah Way, there are good campsites along the Borroloola - Roper Bar road ( "Roper Highway") now, where station land has become Limmen National Park, and much better access exists than was previously the case. Major rivers between Burketown and Normanton also have reasonable camps (Leichardt Falls, Little Bynoe River).

cheers
Terry

Thanks for all your replies.

My travelling companions wer a bit wide-eyed at my suggestion that I will sleep in a tent, but yor replies have re-assured me that I am not crazy for even thinking of it.

Thanks again.