Melbourne -> Cape York, Kakadu, Clermont.
Submitted: Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:13
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Member - David W (VIC)
I'm hitting the road in my '91 Subaru dual range awd wagon, in four days time. I've had the
suspension converted (from airbags), and raised, had a bashplate installed. It's a 2.2 litre engine, dual fuel, car runs 14 inch
wheels, currently on standard tyres.
I'm wondering if I should attempt a trip to the
Cape York tip?
I've been reading some older threads which have me thinking it might be do-able. I'd like some seasoned and seasonal advice before I take it on, or before I chicken out.
I also enjoy a body/boogie board surf, so if there's any good, safe beaches on the way I should check out (where I won't be the only human bait in the
water).
If the old girl survives
the tip and
Kakadu, I'll be heading to
Clermont for some prospecting, telling tall tales etc.
Suggestions, warnings and advice much appreciated.
Reply By: Member - Tessa (NSW) - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:36
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:36
David
Why not???Image Could Not Be Found
When we went up last year we came across this 20?30? /year old kombi on the road to
Somerset - he obviously got all the way up. If you stick to the main road you should have no problems. The Federal govt is spending a lot of money to make the main road almost a highway. Apprently the aboriginal elders have said they will not fly South any more after the big air crash a couple of years ago.
tessa.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:18
Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:18
The VW was one of a few T4 & T5s from the VW Drivers club in
Brisbane. many of them were 4motion 4wd.
FollowupID:
592065
Reply By: Ted G - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:44
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:44
David
We have been to
the tip a couple of times.
Timing is important and any rain.
The right time you should make it on the Development road not on the telegraph road.
Fuel may be a problem with gas and distance between fuel stops.
Surfing is definitely out don't worry about the sharks the crocs got them, you only have to go fishing to find out how many sharks are around.
The caravan
park at
Clermont is very busy at this time of the year with most taken up with miners and long term Mexicans for the winter.
Regards Ted
AnswerID:
324831
Reply By: Member - David W (VIC) - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:50
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:50
A highway!!?? And here's me expecting a Burke and Wills bones type track. Which leads me to ask, what time of year were you up there Tessa? Will the conditions have changed much by October?
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - David W (VIC) - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:55
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 19:55
Thanks Ted, are those road conditions updated and listed on here?
Will I be ok getting across to
Kakadu in November?
And I didn't know crocs could body surf ;). I guess I'll do my surfing further south.
FollowupID:
591961
Follow Up By: Member - Footloose - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 20:52
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 20:52
One man's highway is another man's nightmare. Just take it easy, and stay on the development road and you'll be right.
I assume that you've done some homework. This is a good start
Cape York Info]
Cape York info[/url]
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Follow Up By: Member - Footloose - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 20:55
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 20:55
Oops try this one
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591976
Follow Up By: Ted G - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:50
Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:50
David
A couple of years ago there was a photo on the front page of the Pt Douglas local news paper of a Croc surfing on the main beach at PT Douglas.
Should be OK to go across from
Mareeba,
Normanton,
Cloncurry, Three way and up to Kackadon't (local name) in November.
Fill up at Mt Isa or
Camooweal not
Barkly Homestead as Barkly is always more expensive for fuel if you have to just fill up with enough to get to Tennant also avoid Three ways and go down to Tennant Creak as you will save the extra ks in the difference in fuel.
In the 80s it was
well known the price of fuel varied depending on how the owner faired at pocker the previous night.
UDP falls and Yellow
Lagoon are worth seeing but the
camping near Yellow
Lagoon is shocking.
Regards
Ted
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - David W (VIC) - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 20:49
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 20:49
Sorry Ted, I missed a thank you for your detailed advice,
cheers mate!
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Follow Up By: Member - David W (VIC) - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 20:49
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 20:49
Sorry Ted, I missed a thank you for your detailed advice,
cheers mate!
FollowupID:
592411
Reply By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 20:53
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 20:53
You will not have much of a worry. I saw an dual axled hilux (late model) with an huge slide on caravan. I mean huge. He got to
the tip and back on the main road but was travelling at 20km/hr going easy on the corrugations. He was a
grey nomad - he had the time.
The are the biggest concern. Take it easy on them.
Have fun..
AnswerID:
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Reply By: donks1 - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:40
Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:40
G'da y David
we were up on the cape in '06 and saw exactly your vehicle doing the trip
as said already, stick to the PDR and you will have no problems
Donks
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - David W (VIC) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 08:31
Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 08:31
Thanks Donks, Marco, looks like I should be right if I stick to this development rd. I'll check out your
York link before I go, Footloose, thanks for that.
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