Cape York Tagalong for 7days or so....

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 23:28

ThreadID: 44319 Views:4529 Replies:8 FollowUps:8

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Member - Alan (WA)

I know, I know - this is a stupid question, and the Cape should not be contemplated in such a time.

We are in Cairns now as part of our round Oz trip, and would dearly love to travel the Cape (weather permitting). Time is limited, but better to see something than nothing.

Are there any tagalong tours out of Cairns, Port Douglas, or Cooktown that we could join shortly for 7 or so days to see at least some of the Cape.

Also - can a local in far North Queensland give me some impression of the weather at the moment - is current weather typical?

Thanks in advance.

Alan

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Reply By: Voxson - Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 23:56

Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 23:56

Join us in early June if you want to...

AnswerID: 233475

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 20:50

Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 20:50

Thanks Voxson - but the nature of the trip is such that we have to keep moving. We will be in Kimberleys WA.

Alan

FollowupID: 494771

Reply By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 08:31

Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 08:31

These are the guys to speak to:

Site Link

Just a few phone calls. I'm sure they all would be helpful.

AnswerID: 233494

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:00

Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:00

Cheers Andrew. I had seen these and looked on their web sites to see when they were doing trips - but none had any near dates.

Thanks.

Alan

FollowupID: 494775

Reply By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 08:49

Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 08:49

Hi Alan.
I have a mate living in Cairns. His name is Ken Bailey(phone 40579518). Give him a ring & he will tell you About all the great camping spots/tracks in the region.
Regards.
Vince

AnswerID: 233498

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 20:51

Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 20:51

Thanks Vince. Appreciate the offer.

Alan

FollowupID: 494773

Reply By: Rob from Cairns Offroad Training & Tours - Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 09:01

Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 09:01

Yes this weather is typical this time of year, usually wet at easter. The road nth of Laura was closed but now open with a 5 ton max imit. Lakefield NP is still closed. The weather should start to dry out fom now on and lots of tour companies start heading north from early May. You guys seem well set up and are sure to meet travel companions at the various camp sites along the way. Give me a call if you need further info 0402 329 372. Cheers Rob

AnswerID: 233502

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 20:59

Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 20:59

Hi Rob

Thanks for the information.

I have just been having a look at the road condition reports on the RACQ site. Seems that the road between Lakeland and Musgrave is the main stretch re closures. Is this correct?

How quickly do these closures change? At the moment, we were looking to go through from Sunday. If it is not to be, so be it. We have plenty of other places in Northern Qld we will go to see - but would have been good to get through.

I have just bought Ron and Viv Moon's "Cape York - An Adverturer's Guide" to gain some more information.

Alan

FollowupID: 494774

Follow Up By: Rob from Cairns Offroad Training & Tours - Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:33

Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:33

Give John and Mary a call at Musgrave Station they will set you straight, I haven't been up there this year as yet. 07 40603229 Say hello to them for me. Cheers Rob

FollowupID: 494780

Reply By: Love The Outback - Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 09:50

Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 09:50

Hi Alan,
Buy your self good map of Cape York and go by your self. Tagalongs are rip-offs that will only drive you mad. Everything they do is timed hurry hurry-up!
We went there 3x solo. Better way is usually partly on Old Telegraph Road and past Rangers Station. Don’t forget to visit Gunshot Creek, it is worth to visit a specially if you watch The Getaways on TV. We watched filming for The Getaways, when Ben Dark jumped and didn’t made it.
It is beautiful area, if you know how to look, there is so much to see, it’s unbelievable.
Good luck, with excellent choice!

Kalumburu

AnswerID: 233506

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:11

Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:11

Thanks for the info. I take your point but tagalongs have their place, especially for people like us travelling to new parts of the world, with no other vehicles in convoy. I think it is more the reassurance factor than anything - but I agree there are compromises to allow for the group etc.

From my inquiries to date, it doesn't look like there are any running when we want to go anyway - and road conditions may prevent it despite this. So we will just wait and see.

Cheers

Alan

FollowupID: 494776

Reply By: Member - Richo (FNQ) - Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 13:33

Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 at 13:33

Hi Alan
We were up at Cooktown 3 weeks ago went inland road and come home via Bloomfield track. Water water everywhere but we had a great time. Yes this is typical weather at the moment. Still plenty of places to see around the region if you can't get up there.
Believe it or not but we have had some sort of rain (heavy, light) every week since the cyclone last year, that is over a year now.
Cheers
Richo

AnswerID: 233529

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:12

Monday, Apr 16, 2007 at 21:12

Hi Richo

Thanks.

Yep - we may go and have a look at part of the region anyway. So much to see in this part Oz, I know we will not be stuck for an alternative way to fill the days.

Cheers

Alan

FollowupID: 494777

Reply By: Love The Outback - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 00:07

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 00:07

Hi Alan
You would not believe, if you would see us we are as adventures kind of people, as we are. Since we are known between friends and in family to be very, very cautious type. We after all went so many times to Cape York SOLO anyway! There is so big traffic, your eyes will never believe it! Don’t worry, these days it’s "Hwy to Cape York" not a as very bad track you would expect.

Kalumburu

AnswerID: 233914

Reply By: Sam from Weipa Auto Electrics - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 07:33

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 07:33

I am traveling down from weipa on the weekend if you look under road condition's on this site you will get the most upto date information avialable ( I update it). as for seeing place's like the OTL its probably still to boggy and wet. just be careful you dont go into national parks if they are closed if you need any info of the area dont hesitate to call me on 0740698058.

AnswerID: 233925