Which way to Cape York?

Hi, we have done your No 2 Option when we went on the bikes and from people we spoke to that is the best ( nicest) way to go.
We came down the coast as far as Mackey and then home thu Charleyville and Bourke .
cheers Des.
ps , it was August when we went.

Birdsville to Boulia is flat, not much to see, but north of Boulia gets scenic. If you haven't been to Mt Isa is worth having a look round for a day or two. Is rugged low ranges country to Cloncurry - nice drive, then not much variation from there to Normanton. If you have time, would recommend a third option: from Mt Isa, go west about 120km, then north up the Thorntonia rd, to Lawn Hill and Adels Grove. You can camp at either - we prefer Adels. Lawn Hill Nat Park is a magic place. After a little break there, you can travel east to Burke and Wills Roadhouse, then Normanton etc. Places to stay that we regard as ok through to great are Boulia, Mt Isa (just because you have to stay here a day or two to see it!), Adels Grove, Cloncurry, Mt Surprise (Bedrock Village CP).

It's just a personal thing because both ways are really about the same as far as driving goes.....
But,, i rather go up via option2 and come back via option1....
Because,,, option2 has some really nice places you can stop for a while,,, EG,, Longreach Hall of Fame, Quantas Museum etc,,,, In Hughendon you have a great butcher shop,,, Muttaburra a nice relaxing pub which seems to really cool off after dark....
Porcipine Nat Park,,,,

The Option1 is a bit of a stop for fuel and keep going sort of route..Except for Normanton for the pub and crocodile..

So i find if i go option2 on the way back,,, well all you wanna do is get home and drive straight past all the good things anyway...
Mt Isa sorta reminds me of Pt Augusta....

Just my views on it...