Cape York

Submitted: Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 16:43

ThreadID: 76889 Views:3420 Replies:7 FollowUps:2

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Cape York

This is the true 4WD journey to the tip of Cape York following the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) and its many challenging river crossings.

Cape York

Section: Treks

This is the true 4WD journey to the tip of Cape York following the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) and its many challenging river crossings.

Member - Vivienne G (QLD)

We are planning our first trip to Cape York in early August and have been warned the sand flies and mossies are more fierce than the crocs. I have also been told they are worse on the western side than the eastern side. I can live with it all, so long as I am prepared. I would be interested in hearing of any good home remedies to ward off the midges, and settle the itches. Most midges I have encountered love the shelf brand repellents.
Also has anyone travelled to the tip towing a Kimberley Karavan. We would like to do the CREB also, but are unsure about the van.
Any other advice I need to know would be most welcome.

Cheers

Viv

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Reply By: Busy Bee - Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 17:16

Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 17:16

Assuming a decent tow vehicle you should have no probs particularly in August. Mate has a Kimberley Karavan, he just got back in Cairns the other day from a trip starting in Weipa last October and covering Southern states, then up through Birdsville etc keeping ahead of rain.
Re mossies and midges, don't think I've had to break out the Rid in the last few years in June /July or Sept/October but be prepared, there'll always be the odd pocket of bities where you least expect.

AnswerID: 408949

Reply By: buzzz - Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 17:41

Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 17:41

hi Viv,

on a recent trip to a midgie and mozzie infested creek for a bit of fishing i spayed my feet, neck and arms as did my wife and friends. they all used the one can of aeroguard i used what i thought was a rusty can of aeroguard i got from my boat only to discover later i had used wd 40, nothing looked at me all night(not even wife). this is not a recommendation tho.

buzz

AnswerID: 408952

Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 18:00

Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 18:00

Iwould forget about the Kimberly Karavan on the Creb trek especially going South to North.Take the Bloomfield track instead.

AnswerID: 408958

Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 18:27

Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 18:27

Ditto with the van on the Creb - There is no room to overtake in a lot of places. You may get in a situation where you have to reverse to let someone pass. No fun if you are on one of the steep pinches. Cheers

FollowupID: 678936

Reply By: vk1dx - Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 18:58

Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 18:58

Don't even consider taking the van on the CREB.

I recently got a call from Cairns saying that the CREB was closed as usual for the wet and there are rumours that it may not open to the public after the wet.

AnswerID: 408969

Reply By: DaveO*ST-R - Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 20:00

Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 20:00

On our trip to the Cape last August, we tried a concoction that we read about...one third part each of dettol, baby oil and metho. Mix it all together into a hand pump spray bottle. I found it a bit oily for me, but my wife swore by it, hardly got a midgee "bite" and on those she did, found the mixture soothing. She still uses it back home. Didn't find the mozzies too much of a problem at all.

Regards,

Dave

AnswerID: 408979

Follow Up By: Member - Tezza Qld - Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 20:37

Monday, Mar 15, 2010 at 20:37

Add citronella for the mozzies and a little tree tea oil for the midges
works a treat

Cheers Teza

FollowupID: 678960

Reply By: Tonyfish#58 - Thursday, Mar 18, 2010 at 07:07

Thursday, Mar 18, 2010 at 07:07

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AnswerID: 409306

Reply By: rayfish - Thursday, Mar 18, 2010 at 21:52

Thursday, Mar 18, 2010 at 21:52

hello on a trip up north a few years ago l was eaten alive by every flying ,biteing and bleep ing insect known to man.At every happy hour someone had a different remody so l mixed them all together and it works really well as a deterant and to settle the dreaded itch.mix together baby oil,tea tree oil,detol,vinagor,rid liquid, shake all together and put in spray bottle l dont know which one works but together it does

AnswerID: 409415