Cape York

The bridge at Nolans Brook isn't really in a state to be used by anything other than a motorbike, when I was there in July 2009 it was 3 1/2 logs. The water crossing itself isn't as bad as people make out, just be sensible and take it easy and remember to walk it first and figure out a route that you will be confident driving.

I don't think any of the crossings are particularly difficult and if you walk each of them before diving in you'll find you can go through without water over the bonnet and only dipping over the bumper. North of Fruitbat Falls the crossing that I was most nervous about was the one marked as a marshland on the Hema map, it was murky, quite long and was halfway between the bumper and bonnet on my vehicle for most of the way across.

I don't think there is a shorter bypass at Gunshot than the 25km route marked on your map, the chicken track might be quite chopped up by August/September because you'll be going after the school holidays but would be worth a look and you might find it not as bad as you thought.

This year the Southern Bypass was very corrigated between Fruitbat Falls and Bramwell Junction.

Feel free to check out my Cape York photos there's one of the Nolans Creek Bridge in there.

In August and September water crossings will not be a problem, if you are unsure walk them. A couple need to be negotiated with caution because there is large holes that will eat a 4x4. Sorry cant remember the names of them.

I drove a standard cruiser up there for work and just after the wet I could still do all the TT creeks without too much of a problem.

Just take it easy and all will be fine - At gunshot just take the side track - the other way is for fools who do not like their car :-)

Cheers

We have not long returned from the Cape, having travelled the Telegraph Track itself at the end of August - south to north. 2 vehicles, 1 a 100 series L/Cruiser with the lot, towing an Ultimate Camper and me with a near stock Navara towing a Tambo camper. I too was not overly comfortable with water crossings and much prefer sand and beach driving, but we had no problems with any part of the track, including Gunshot. We took the easiest option, the so-called chicken track. Just crawled down with no drama at all. When you get there, make up your mind then if yoiu are comfortable doing it. The conditions and track might be as we found it, not overly daunting at all.

Nolans Brook was of some concern to me, having read about how deceptive and deep etc it can be. I walked it first, picked the best line (right side) and got through OK. The depth was probably around 800mm with the bottom sandy and soft. But I made it without drowning the car !! The bridge crossing (what's left of it) you mention is at best, as suggested, suitable for motor cycles only. Most of the other crossings needed to be checked properly for depth, holes and drop-offs etc, and some required zig-zagging through to avoid them

A while ago, I watched the DVD of the Gall Brothers towing a 3 tonne Kedron van up the Telegraph Track. How they got it through is somewhat astounding, but they did it. Really worth watching if you can find a copy.

I was expecting the OTL to be far more difficult than it was. I drove to the conditions, took my time and had a fantastic time. From all accounts, conditions change from year to year, so who knows what it will be like when you get up there. For me, south to north was easier than the other way around. With a trailer in tow, I feel certain I would have had to winch out of some spots heading south. Can't wait to do it all again.

We did the bypass roads on the way back from the tip. The only horror section was somewhere north of Bramwell Junction - I can't remember the name of the area, but there was a 40? odd km section that shook the fillings out of the teeth...the worst corrugations I have been on. The rest of the PDR was not too bad at all - much better than I had anticipated. Depends on when it gets graded, I suppose.

Enjoy your planning and subsequent trip.

Dave

hi there, how long did it take you to do the cape?