Travelling to Cape York - camper trailer

Thanks for your advice. We are definately going next year around this time. I will keep posting, because we would like to do it as part of a group, for all the obvious reasons.

WilisGu

WilisGu,

Even if you don't go with someone you can be certain of continually meeting up with the same people on similar time schedule and possibly even end up travelling with them (or them with you???). Don't know if it is still the same etiquet but if you are pulled up on the side of the track most passing will stop to ask if you're OK. This was the case 10yrs back.

The OTL is a no brainer for the Kimberly camper, this is what it was built for. Definatly have it checked over before you go and pack a set of bearings for it (not much to carry in my opinion).

Take your time and enjoy what will be the trip of a lifetime.
Trevor.

Less than 800 metres of 4wdriving that might be your opinion but to a first timmer I think this false.
How did you come to this figure.

All the best
Eric

"How did you come to this figure." Eric I base the rough figure of 800m on the distance one would need to have 4WD engaged to make it to the top via the OTL. Other than a few short eroded parts of the old telegraph track & 1 swampy section, the only segments that would actually require the hubs in are the creeks so I estimated there are no more than 15 crossings that may be an issue (soft sand/mud bottom), each on average less than 40metres wide.
Of course no one can assume that it wont rain during the dry season requiring 4WD more often & better control of the car can be had on the corrugations & bulldust as well with the front wheels in but to actually get to the top, 800m in 4WD.
I think the difficulty of my last trip was summed up in 3 parts, when I overtook a 30 foot cabin cruiser being towed on the way up to Weipa, passed a Subaru who had completed the OTL unassisted & solo then pulled up beside an XD falcon on the Jardine ferry who had just driven up from Cairns, not quite the challenge it was last time in 84 :-))
And you are probably right, a 1st timer may NEED to use 4WD for as much as 5 KM.
Cheers Craig...........

Craig what a load of crap.

All the best
Eric

So with all your experience on the Cape Eric are you suggesting you couldn't drive the OTL in 2WD (except of course for the 800m) or don't you believe its even possible to do in 2wd or was I mistaken when I read the Moke club drove up there?
When you say it's all a load of crap do you not believe 30 foot boats are being towed to Weipa, Subaru's drive the OTL & 2wd cars drive the bypass road?
Craig..........

I saw one of the older style babypoo yellow subaroo wagons with about 30cm of clearance going south along the southern section of the OTL, reckons he'd had no problems at all. Also whilst at Loyalty, was speaking to another elderly couple there who had just driven up via the OTL ( southern section only ) in a stock standard Rav 4, said he had to engage 4wd ( they only have hi range ) only " a few " times. I was on the bike at the time, so was pretty hard to judge when a 4by would've required 4wd, though not very often from memory, so I don't think Craig is too far of the money.
Keeping in mind though that the track up there changes pretty drastically every year, and what was an easy drive one year could be much harder the next, not forgetting the amount of rain they have had up there recently.

Avagoodn
Pezza

Yes, I agree.

Just got back from Cape York towing my Kimberley Kamper. Travelled out to Vrilya Point. The only area of concern is the log bridge crossing over Crystal Creek at the start of the track. Take it easy and no drama's. The rest of the track is pretty easy, with few side detours around fallen trees, but this obviously changes from year to year depending on fires and cyclones.

Travel safely !

Scorcher

Like you duncs, I was told that I was mad for taking a trailer with my Pathfinder but the only spot I nearly got bogged was in Seisa campground. How embarrassing after all that I had driven through I was sure as eggs not going to let that be the undoing of an otherwise trouble free run.
Wouldn't hesitate in taking a well built trailer up there again.

Cheers Trevor.

ROFL that brought back memories ............ my daughter drove many a creek crossing and some ordinary sections last august and managed fine.

Set up camp at Seisa sit back and down and ale, daughter goes to move the car and gots BOGGED .................. we damn near choked in our beers.

Of course being the caring dad ................. I do remind her about that LOL

Brian

Thanks for the tip Redeye

From all the advice I ahve recieved on this forum, I am sure we should not have a problem when we head up the tip. We will look to join up with some other travellers closer to the time

Take it easy