Camping on the Cape?

Submitted: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 20:04

ThreadID: 45548 Views:3123 Replies:4 FollowUps:8

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Dusty Miller

Hi guys,
Just moved to Cairns and only been to the Cape as far as Silver Plains back in '96. Wanted to take my three boys with 4.5mtr tinny in tow to somewhere quiet for a couple of weeks. Read a bit here about Lakefield and Cape Melville and sounds pretty good. Just wondering about peoples thoughts on the idea and open to suggestions on other spots. Half the fun is getting there, but I do want to get there. By the way, will be driving 100 series, possibly have the father-in-laws new SR5 following.
Any help and ideas greatly appreciated,
Dusty.

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Reply By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 20:11

Reply By: nofixedabode - Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 22:34

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 22:34

One from left field ..i worked on a community half way up the developmental road called Pormpuraaw on the Western side of the Cape. On the whole a very friendly place and due to the 3 hr drive from the main rd pretty untouched. You can camp on one of two rivers where the crocs sit on the other side and the water bubbles with salmon and barra ..1 draw back..about $30 a vehicle per night
..they have a croc farm down there too

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Follow Up By: Dusty Miller - Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 22:41

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 22:41

Thanks for the tip, we paid about $6 per person per night at Silver Plains in '96 so $30 per car isn't too bad.

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Follow Up By: RussellV - Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 13:09

Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 13:09

Great for beach combing as well! Nice little track back to Kowanyama from there too with some interesting crossings particularly in the Mitchell & Alice Rivers area. Make sure you're alive to the alcohol management plan if it applies. I enjoyed it because there were hardly any tourists about!

Cheers

Russ

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Follow Up By: Member - Perry H (NSW) - Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 13:14

Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 13:14

I am heading up CY in July & considering going out to both Pormpuraaw ( how do you pronounce it?) & Kowanyama. Do you know if permits are required in advance or can they be purchased there? Some research I have done lists a campground @ Pormpuraaw with toilets / showers /laundry - do you know if this is the case?

Perry

Perry

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Follow Up By: nofixedabode - Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 14:28

Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 14:28

You dont need a permit, just ask around to find the rangers. There are well maintained toilets and (i think only cold?) showers right on the beach. Dont expect to see anyone there but a few locals, there are stocked barbies and tables..it really is a pretty wild and untouched place. You would want to have a gps travelling the bush tracks around there if u werent local i reckon. There are always new t junctions that werent there last time. I know that little brown line on the map between the two communities looks easy but theres a network of locals tracks to decipher.
Also heads up if your going to take a tinnie..stay north of the Munkin River as the locals put out star pickets for netting and they remain there..hidden at high tide and ready to put a nice big line through any unsuspecting tourists fishing mobile

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