Quick Cape York Trip

I totally agree but their employers aren't quite as understanding.

We have even been playing with the option of getting their car up there on the train and we can have it ready for them when they arrive by plane in cairns. That would give us 14 days for the return trip to the tip and they can fly home again and we will take their car home for them.

Flights to Cairns are so cheap now and it looks like it is only about $260 one way for their car from Bris-Cairns on the train. That is cheaper than diesel.

BW

Thanks Kev,

No kids on this trip and no women either so unless Murphy has his way with us there shouldn't be any hold-ups. Ha!

BW

Hi Crackles,

Wow, 16 days return from Vic sounds like a mission. Would love to do the OTL on the way up if we can fit it in.
Sounds like it might just be achievable if we are prepared for some 24hr runs between GC and Cairns.

BW

Forget the 24 hour driving. I find it pointless as you're only going to need a rest day to get over it. If as has been suggested it's a 24 hour drive to Cairns then break it down to 2 x 12 hour days up & back. Many of the tour companies are doing the Cape including side trips in only 12 days anyway.
The 16 day trip was in the bad old days when there was no easy Development road & included crossing the Jardine & Wenlock rivers as well as a side trip out to Thursday Island.
The only hassle you may have is there is not much leeway allowing for a breakdown.
Cheers Craig............

Wise advice Crackles.

If the breakdown happens then we will deal with it. There will be enough vehicles and drivers in the group that those restricted by deadlines will be able reshuffle throughout the other vehicles and get back to Cairns to fly home if necessary. The rest of us will wait out the repairs.

Thanks for your help.

BW

Sorry missed a spot.
cairns - rocky cabin 1 night
then to ayr

Thanks Mrbrush,
That is very helpful info that we will consider as we plan the trip.

I am based near Bundaberg so already have a 500km headstart on them but I don't have the deadlines either so I think I will stretch it out a little bit and spen a couple of days at a friends house on Thursday Island while I am up there.

BW

Yes if we can fit the OTL in then I agree with most people that it would be better to tackle on the way up.
That way if we are running behind schedule on the way south we can travel more swiftly on the new road.

Thanks for your feedback.

BW

Thanks VH,

That is an interesting option we had not considered.
It would be great to see the coastline of the cape all the way to the top.

We will keep this in mind when planning.

BW

G'day Willem,

I drive an 80 series Landcruiser with 1HZ diesel. It is not pretty but quite well set up for off-road touring and gets used for running to and from our farm and bush work most of the time. Heaps of scratches down the side etc. but is well maintained mechanically.

The other vehicles will be a GU Patrol and 2 x '99 model Pajero's.

Cheers,

BW

Ah! You had me worried there...stating cars!!.....LOL


Cheers

Ah but Willem,

I read a detailed article once with photo's of an english tourist in the late eighties that arrived in cairns and brought an XW falcon sedan for $300, a steel jerry can, and a 2nd spare wheel/tyre from the wreckers.
He took his time up the OTL all the way to the tip and back without so much as a breakdown.

I think a high percentage of our modern day drama's when travelling remotely can be attributed to our impatience. If we took the time to nurse both ourselves and our vehicles through the bush then we would both come out looking better not to mention our impact on the bush itself would be minimised.

Deadlines!! Grr!!! I can't stand them. That is why I have not worn a watch for 25 years.


BW

p.s - sorry for the confusion with the language (cars/4wd/trucks) I don't know what to call them. Ha!

BW

Yes you can go many places with an ordinary car if you you are careful. All types of vehicles have been up the Cape and across the deserts for that matter. I think that the path to the Cape is well worn by now and as things improve the roads may even get better and easier. I haven't been that way yet but having lived in the tropics for 20 odd years there is no great urgency to go that way.

These days I take it easy on my annual journeys...save the old oiler and save the trailer and go and enjoy the great remoteness of the land.

No, I haven't worn a watch for as long as I can remember either....lol


Cheers