cape york

If you go from south to north the entry and exits are easier. The steep side is usually on the south side. Some of the crossings north of elliot falls can be fairly deep even that early. Walk the crossing or wait for someone else. Nolans brook claimed a few cars while we were up there in June this year. Nothing to worry about, just take it slow and check first. Carry some extra spares as you can easily punture a tyre on the track. It is an awsome trip. Punsand bay is a great spot to camp near the tip and they have a pool. Good fishing there too. Elliot falls is great and fantastic swimming. Have fun

Josh

Hi Ken, you can click on my profile to see our previous van crossing a creek in Iron Range NP. But we gave the Old Telegraph Track a miss with the van and took the bypass. Go into Places and check Telegraph Creek and you will see it linked to a third of the creek crossings. Lots of fun in the Pathy and no need to take camper unless you're set on it. You have 6 months to research this site and others. Hit Top Ten Tips for the Cape in the Archive for starters.
Leaving from Cooktown first week of May 08 we did Battlecamp Rd to Laura, then up PDR. Did Lakefield on the way back. The 40km from Weipa Rd to Batavia is fun with 4 good creeks....... Cheers, Glenn

Ken,

Have not long returned from the Cape. I have nowhere near the knowledge or experience of many others on this forum .. I can only relate my travels. We did the OTL early September, south to north towing an off-road camper with no difficulty to speak of. All we did was use common sense and care, took our time through some of the more testing bits and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We had no problems with Gunshot, albeit taking the easiest option. I look forward to doing it all again in the not too distant future.

I think that as Josh said, when we did the track, north to south was definitely more difficult..I think I might have had to drag the winch out in spots, had we chosen to head back south. Come to think of it, I can only recall seeing one vehicle towing a camper heading south on the OTL. (PAtrol towing an Uktimate) Nolans Brook was the only creek crossing where I got a bit anxious..the bottom was rather soft with water height about 2 foot. Even without stopping (thankfully), water still seeped through the door seals slightly. All the other crossings, we had no problems with at all.

You have plenty of time to plan your trip, and from what I researched and then experienced on our trip, conditions can and do change with very little notice.

PS We also stayed at Punsand Bay. We checked out all the other places..Loyalty Beach, Seisa etc whilst having a drive around and I still think Punsand was the best. We had a beachfront, (unpowered) site and it was a magnificent spot.

Regards,

Dave

See if you can make any of these work....

http://www.s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg120/Peter_n_Margaret/09/?action=view¤t=6c1abd07.pbw
(Cape York, slide show)

http://www.s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg120/Peter_n_Margaret/09/?action=view¤t=09-06-04PGunshotCreekshort.flv
(Gunshot Creek, video clip)

http://www.s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg120/Peter_n_Margaret/09/?action=view¤t=09-06-06PWenlockannabranch006.flv
(a Little creek near the Wenlock, video clip)

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome