Road to Cooktown

Submitted: Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:10
ThreadID: 42025 Views:2541 Replies:8 FollowUps:5
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Is the road from Cairns to Cooktown all bitumen, and is it suitable for to take a caravan across it.
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Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:34

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:34
If you go via Mareeba, it's all sealed.

You can take a van.
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Follow Up By: Cazzo - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:49

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:49
Thanks for the info will be going up in June.
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Reply By: alex100 - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:34

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:34
The road from cairns karanda mareeba mount maloy mount carbine lakeland cookttown,is allbitumen and not a problem for a van. The other road the bloomfield trak is mainly dirt from cape trib and I would not tow a van along it.
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Follow Up By: Member - andrew G (VIC) - Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 12:21

Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 12:21
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.....
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Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 14:36

Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 14:36
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.....
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Follow Up By: alex100 - Wednesday, Feb 07, 2007 at 00:20

Wednesday, Feb 07, 2007 at 00:20
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.
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Reply By: growler - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:47

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:47
yeh the road is good but i wouldnt go this time of the year
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Reply By: Footloose - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:53

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 20:53
Mate in Cairns is braking out the scuba gear at the moment, to get down the street :)))))
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Reply By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 21:41

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 21:41
Sure Is

All the best
Eric
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Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 23:23

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 23:23
Hope you can fit in doing the Cape Tribulation drive without the caravan, as a day trip - or 2 days and take a tent. I know people have, but i don't think it wise to take a caravan on it. As the replies say, the inland road is bitumised and good (except after heavy rain!). A steep pull out of Cairns either via Kuranda or the Gillies road (i think that is what it's called).

A few years ago, my daughter was working for main roads in Cairns and emailed me beaut photos of a huge wash out on the Gillies road. I don't have it now as that computer crashed. Never know what you'll meet in the wet.
Motherhen

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AnswerID: 220064

Reply By: Bros 1 - Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 09:22

Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 09:22
Cazzo,
You can also go north of Cairns along the scenic drive, then turn left just before Mossman and go over the range to meet the other sealed road just north of Mt Molloy. Turn right and Cooktown here we come. All bitumen last time i was up that particular road. You would have to find out if it is not too steep for a van, we only had a boat trailer. I could not imagine that it would be any steeper than the Gillies or Kuranda. You can have a look at Port Douglas on your way as well.
Cheers,
Bros.
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Follow Up By: Patrol22 - Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 09:51

Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007 at 09:51
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
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Reply By: Member - andrew G (VIC) - Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 10:31

Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 10:31
gda guys thanks for the advice think i will be leaving van behind and take the tent sounds like a very steep section of road leading out.
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