Cape York Questions

Submitted: Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:03

ThreadID: 53876 Views:2285 Replies:3 FollowUps:1

This Thread has been Archived

Cape York

This is the true 4WD journey to the tip of Cape York following the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) and its many challenging river crossings.

Cape York

Section: Treks

This is the true 4WD journey to the tip of Cape York following the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) and its many challenging river crossings.

TD100

Evening all,

i want to go to cape york later in the year,have looked at some threads about times and routes but i will ask again for myself,
1)is august/sept good time to travel up there?
2)which is the best track CREB/developemental?
3)what levels are the creeks and rivers at in aug/sept?

i am very well set up and also will have company that will be the same.thanks in advance Paul

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Bob - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:56

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:56

Paul
We have been to the Cape in July 06 and August 07 and all rivers were ok but should be respected ie walk them first or watch someone else.
Seemed to be less water in 07 but there are no hard and fast rules.
I think the Creb is closed until further notice .
In 06 (6 vehicles) we went via Mareeba,Cape Trib,Cooktown,
Old Laura, Kalpower, then Musgrave and Development Road until we started the OTL. Also visited Weipa on the way.
Last year by ourselves we went from Mareeba direct to Laura then Kalpower etc. Also Chilli Beach is a must with a shortcut back via Frenchmans (get local info). We have a 2.8 Gu towing a Tvan and are tempted to do it all again this year.
Enjoy - Do it befor it gets too crowded

Bob

AnswerID: 283610

Follow Up By: Bob - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 21:12

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 21:12

Just to add , The Development road now has a lot of sealed sections and the dirt sections are well maintaned early in the season. The OTL is a must do alternative ,Gunshot was quite do-able heading north and last year we did most of the OTL both ways as we found it so enjoyable .
Just remember the 1st trip is the most exciting because each crossing can be a new challange.
Do your homework re all the great sites (Fruitbat Falls etc) and I can highly recommend Punsand Bay as a base at the Tip.

Cheers again
Bob

FollowupID: 548230

Reply By: rumpig - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 22:29

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 22:29

we did the cape in july / august of 2006, deepest crossing by far was on the OTL at nolans crossing (bonnet deep) everything else was about knee deep at best. that year was a pretty late end to the wet season, so got to think it would be alot drier when you plan to go, only time and mother nature will know for sure though. even the crossings going out to chilli beach were lucky to be knee high.

AnswerID: 283638

Reply By: Voxson - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 23:55

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 23:55

Do yourself a favour and go in June. All the creeks are way down in Aug/Sept.....
Creb will prob be shut so the Daintree/Battlecamp/Lakefield/Developmental road/OTL will be the top choice with all the side trips to do also.

In June you may still catch the last of the Barra, as we caught Barra in The Wenlock on the way up and back last year.

But if you want dry heat then go in July/Aug/Sept.

AnswerID: 283650