Cooktown to Cape York
Submitted: Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 09:10
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Member - Colin D (VIC)
Hi all,
My wife & I are going on a 3 month journey from
Melbourne to
Cape York. Our intention is to take our 16.5ft (not off-road)to
Cooktown & then
camp the rest of the way to the top; spending a couple of weeks in the area.
Is this the right approach with the van?
If we stay to the main roads from to
Cape York are we likely to experience any tough driving conditions.
We are travelling by ourselves, have a 2006 Diesel Prado & it is our first big trip.
Any
feedback would be appreciated. Will be away July till September.
Thanks
Reply By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 10:46
Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 10:46
Hi Colin
Main road from
Melbourne to
Cooktown will be fine. I highly recommend the coast drive from
Cairns to C/town, very pretty, you won’t be able to take your van though as it is very steep, allow at least a day each way, more if you have the time. Tent style accommodation is available at the Lion’s Den hotel about half way between
Cairns and
Cooktown. This track is an easy drive if taken slowly, not towing and no rain has fallen.
When in
Cooktown visit the
cemetery(take your insect repellent),and go to the top of
grassy hill, walk or drive, just not with the van behind you! :)
Also go to the museum that is located in the old convent building, if you like history this will keep you busy for hours.
A drive down to
quarantine bay is also worthwhile.
Cheers Lyndon
AnswerID:
360114
Reply By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 10:54
Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 10:54
The main roads to the cape are not challenging as such, but corrugations are a major factor and if the van is not up to it will start to desintegrate pretty quickly.
Plus you'll end up wanting to go a see this and do that and will not be able to because of the van.
I ran a trip last year with 8 vehicles ex Victoria and three of then left their van here on our property (just south of
Cairns) then tented it.
They were all really glad that they did!!
AnswerID:
360118
Reply By: Member - Bob C (NSW) - Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 12:05
Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 12:05
Hi Colin
My wife and I did the trip 3 yrs ago on our own and loved it.We left the van at
Lakelands caravan park [for a nominal fee] and tented from there in a Rodeo Twin Cab without a scrap of trouble.We took the bypass road and found the trip easy enough driving to the conditions. The
campground at
Seisia is great and the fishing off
the wharf good fun.called in to
Weipa on the way back.Picked up the van and went into
Cooktown for a few days before calling at
Port Douglas a great base to explore from.Good luck and happy travelling
Cheers
AnswerID:
360139
Reply By: wendys - Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 18:45
Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 18:45
When we did Cape, left van at Wonga (near
Daintree). This enabled us to drive the
Bloomfield Track as part of the Cape trip. We took the Battlecamp road to Lakefield NP. Recommend a stay at
Kalpowar camp area.
Seisia camp is wonderful. We also stayed Punsand. You may find the bypass roads corrugated - just drive carefully. Watch out for Dip signs and believe them! A Cape Dip can be a 20 foot deep gully with a big gutter in the bottom - beware. Recommend a side trip to Chilli Beach/Iron Range - do it on way south as you will, by then, have a "feel" for Cape tracks and conditions. On way north, deviate for a short way onto the OTL track to visit Twin,
Elliott,
Fruit Bat Falls - a real highlight of Cape. Enjoy the trip.
AnswerID:
360210
Reply By: kiwicol - Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 23:39
Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 23:39
Hi Col, The road from
Cairns to
Cooktown is great, but you miss out on some of the best rainforest by not travelling through the
bloomfield track. Leaving the van in
Cairns Or the Tablelands is a better way to go. Travel up the
creb track and come
home the
Bloomfield track and you will see some of the best country going. I am a local living at
Tolga, and have travelled these routes many times. I have acerage so if you need to leave the van safely with no charge, no problems. Just email for any help . Regards Col
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Beddo - Sunday, Apr 19, 2009 at 18:17
Sunday, Apr 19, 2009 at 18:17
The bypass roads are WIDE corrugated boring roads, take the OTL it is slow going but interesting, when I did it a few years ago now it was not that difficult. You need though with a Prado, we use them at work all the time, recommend 2 inch lift &
snorkel. What I liked about the OTL was the
creek crossing it was a challenge but we only had water to head light level, the difficult crossing like the first we encountered Palm creek or so had alternate crossings that were easier. It was fun watching people attempt the harder options - not sure whether they made it there.
I would recommend Battlecamp road back to
Cooktown on the return, we took the inland route first then returned via Battlecamp Rd - glad we did, we found this road to be the most corrugated & we had our only issue with the vehicle here - battery shifted sideways & broke an earth lead.
Have Fun, cheers Beddo
AnswerID:
360389
Reply By: Member - Colin D (VIC) - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 21:42
Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 21:42
Thanks to all who responded. We will head north with a lot more confidence with the knowledge given. Appreciate the support of all & the offer of accommodation of van etc. May give an email closer to the event.
AnswerID:
361955