Cape York..

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003 at 18:47
ThreadID: 6530 Views:2971 Replies:2 FollowUps:1
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Hi every one, back in Feb thrue to begining April Was in panic trying to find some 4x4 people to drive to the "Top", wread many accounts of this adventure was little nervous to say the least. Any way bottom line found no one, so drove solo to the Top in Land Rover Td5 hired out of Sydney, drove the OTL as far as Cockatoo Creek hear me couple tryed to cross, opposite bank was in bad state after cowboy(s), so turned round back few Km's, turned up track to Heathland Ranger Station, joining the bypass and continuing to the Jardine Ferry, this cost a wacking $88!! and cash, had good look around, camped at Seisia, had my photo taken by nice Canadian lady at the "Top" (they flew up), sent god and the world postcards, bought my self an OZ regestration plate, now mounted on my Defender that sayes 'Cape York the last frontier', looks good and I'm proud to have done it. Returned via Batavia Downs track to Weipa this saves around 160Km. Further south took the track via Palmerville and over the Mitchell River, nice new bridge to Chillagoe and accrost to Cooktown, had nice relaxing three days, climed to the lookout/Light house steep and hot! After this wanted to see "Roaring Meg" and famous 'Lions Den' where I camped, nice and shady by creek. Next day joined the "CREB" track, now this is one of those "chalk it up", took from 0915Hrs--1805Hrs, arriving at Daintree River, this was hard track, had rained for couple days previous, in places had to rebuild parts, pull some trees of the track, creaks were quit good, red water over the bonnet banks very slippery, and these mountains up & down and never ending, very trickey, thought one time 'this is it' going down ended up sideways & still sliding, you had job to stand up like ice.
After pumping the brake peddle fast as ABS down hills with very limited succes, finally crossing Daintree River, I was knackered to put it mild, that night stayed in cabin (most expencive in OZ) and ate at the Pub. To think had to wait untill retirement to come to OZ and drive to the "TOP". Three months went fast and slow at times, but 'I will return' next time Kimberleys, Simpson what this about Birdsville Track, and Cannon!! Met some real nice people, ate plenty of fresh fish from places like "Karumba" consumed plenty of local amber liquid, favourite 'Hann' climed the Sydney Bridge, not seen the last of this Pom, by the way how are they doing in
World Cup Union, they dont show Rugby in Germany. Wish you all some shade & rain.
(worst meal in OZ), next day
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Reply By: Michael - Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003 at 19:12

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003 at 19:12
HI Solo, Glad you enjoyed your trip. We do have the best country in the world, and our own continent to boot. How did the Landrover perform? regards Michael
AnswerID: 27609

Follow Up By: Solo - Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 18:07

Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 18:07
Hallo Michael, thanks for replying, Land Rover 130 Td5, fully converted, with roof tent and 60L Engle, how did she perform, must admitt I was nervous with all the electrics, (my Defender 110 CSW 300Tdi) this was to remain for all situations with 'water', the door seals arnt worth a s...! so get in and dont hang about situation, few times getting damp heals, but pedal is 20+Cm, clear (try not to sloch about). Must admit BMW/FORD have done there work, she ran very good, only problem in just under
14,000Km, did not like bottoming out hard, twice small problem with electrics, after swetting for seames like hours, shut off, re-started and 'bingo' every thing back to normal. Think I gave good work out, going up Cape, CREB and few other trickey-twisteys, am no longer nervous about electrics in Land Rover, apart from water.. and guess who payed out
the most on repairs at the "Top".. I'm not African fan, but Australia is a vast area of some of the worlds most chalanging and interresting varied land, with every thing different, animals, plants, trees, birds, reefs, fish,
(I like Bara & chips washed down (for all from Qlnd) XXXX-Bitter), man I can still tast Karumba.. OZ is another world, a fantistic 4x4 world.
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FollowupID: 19267

Reply By: Willywags- Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003 at 19:30

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003 at 19:30
Solo,

That seems to have been a real adventure. Great to hear that you had a good time and we will welcome you back again.

Cheers
Always going somewhere
AnswerID: 27611

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