Road to Cooktown

Thanks for the info will be going up in June.

Gda Alex100 you said the road was bitumen and ok for a van we are going up at same time. Taking an offroad van woud that van go up the other dirt rd ?? would like to get away from all bitumen for a few days..Rig is o6 Pathfinder and Regent extreem 17ft van 16inch wheels etc built like a tank Heavy.....

Andrew the road via Daintree and Cape tribulation is sealed as far as Cape Trib. From there to just past the Lion's Den Hotel it's gravel with several VERY STEEP sections for which you would definately need to use low range. The steepest hill going north is concreted as it's too steep to get traction on the gravel. I was towing a camper trailer (less than 1000kg) with the Jackaroo auto and it made it in high range first but the foot was flat and I was hoping I wouldn't have to stop to select low range.

Friend with Pioneer camper trailer in 60 series with 350 chev and TH700 auto had to go for low range to get up.

With your heavy van, you might find yourself losing traction going up and going down you would have extremely white knuckles as well.

Oh - and there is no sign to tell you you're there - by the time you realise it's the one, you're on the steep bit and it just keeps on going with no relief.....

Andrew if you want to do some dirt head north from cooktown to lakefield nt/park ,you can go by the battel camp rd its dirt all the way, or lakeland downs then Laura dirt from laura, give yourself some time to enjoy. always get road report from lakeland n/parks of"s I think rangers are very helpful.Gerhard1 described the trak from D/tree wel, I have done it many times,and think it dangerous for any thing too heavy towing that is. it is very slipery when wet,best enjoyed as a day trip.well werth doing.

If anything Bro 1 the Rex Range Road out through Cassowary is shorter and less steep than both the Kuranda and Gillies Range roads. But you are right that heading up the Cook Highway out of Cairns and then the Rex is a very pretty drive.

Cheers
Pete