Cape York- should we do it

Do it.
If you never go you will never know.
In a worst case scenario if you get up to the top & don't like it you can drive back to Cairns the next day.
It is not that far away from where you are.

I would say it is well worth it. Even if you didn't do the OTL (which is great) it would be worth it to see a number of spots up there. It would be easy to avoid any real 4wding and still see a heap of nice places.

You don't say how young your kids are but I don't think it matters.

We did the trip when my kids were 11, 7, & 6. We all want to go back.

To answer your question, yes Cape York is beautiful and yes it is about the challenge of reaching the top.

When we arrived in Cairns the Archer was 11m above the causeway. We killed time in Cairns and Cooktown before heading through Maytown and Palmerville and on up the Cape. When we crossed it the Archer was only 300mm deep but the Wenlock was still 4m above the causeway. We used the hand pull barge and had a ball.

You can use bits of either road and I would encourage you to take your time and do the side excursions to the coast on both sides. My whole family still thinks the best icecream in the world comes from Thursday Island.

You are in Cairns, I just reckon if you don't go and have a look you will always wish you had.

Duncs

We are also in Cairns at the moment and will be heading up the Cape on about the 3-4 June via the Bloomfield track to Cooktown. I would not worry too much about the trip, there are so many people heading up there this time of year. Just take it easy and use common sense on the creek crossings and all will be fine.

Do it gee your nearly there. I drove up and back and im a female. Make sure you visit Cook town and old Laura station the road between is very good well it was last year.
Sharon

I'm going up to the 'tip' after the V8 Supercar race 09.07.2010 - 11.07.2010 in Townsville, I was told by 'locals' who live up there the roads are not good at the moment because of all the rain they have had, so talk to the Information Center in Cairns and find that out first hand for yourself.

Maîneÿ . . .

One mans 'rough'track is another mans h/way , the OTL is / and can be challenging but you will be suprised at the variety of vehicles that 'do' the OTL , everthing from full hardcore 6inch lifted with 38 inch mud tires down to an unmodified but restored MiniMoke , Main thing is dont rush ,walk the crossings , patience and YOUR recovery gear will go long way in getting pulled out if you do get stuck .

Could have driven Margaret's 1987 Mazda 121 up there last year on the by-pass when we went.
Some pretty country that is easy to get to and some challenges if you want them......
I keep putting this slide show up..........

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Thanks for the replies. I think we will head up there- we can always turn around. Cheers
Tim