Travelling to Cape York - Caravan or Tent?

Take the tent
Leave the van behind because the road is not suitable

Maîneÿ . . .

We saw a few off road camper trailers and Caravans up that way, Kedron and Bushtracker mainly. We did see a few household trailers but I would be reluctant to take them.

If the Jayco is a true off road outfit it would be ok. We travelled at about 80 to 90k on the Development road with about 20k of corrugations on the southern bypass road. I wouldn't do the OTL but you could leave the van at Bramwell Junction before you hit the corrugated part of the road or go along the OTL.

Regards
Geoff

G'day Dani and Greg

Quotes from Ron & Viv Moon's book Cape York An Adventurer's Guide:

Trailers - " In most of our trips to the Cape we've towed a well constructed trailer (Tvan judging by the pictures in the book) with a good suspension and 16" wheels. We've had no trouble with it at all, but many people who take trailers up this way end up with a load of scrap metal"

Caravans - " It's best to keep your caravan on the bitumen roads, unless it is a dedicated offraod van and you don't mind getting it knocked around a bit. The Peninsula Development road to Weipa is a reasonable run, while the OTL track will be more than challenging."

We're heading that way this month, and plan to leave our Jayco Eagle Outback at Lakeland and tent it from there. If you google Cape York river crossings on utube you will see folks towing trailers, mostly though they are more rugged than the Jayco.

Good luck with the decision

Cheers
John

If your used to outback travel and dirt roads and you drive to the conditions you shouldn't have a problem, we ( and quite a few others) took our van up in 2009. Trip route can be seen here 2009 Cape York trip and photos here 2009 Cape York trip photos

Going up thru Lakefiled NP with side trip into Pandanus Park had the most water crossings etc. Next time I'd not take my van into Fruit Bat & Twin Falls area unless we were camping in there as it was the roughest of the trip. there is a cleared spot on the east side of the road at the turn off suitable to drop the van off for a few hours if you just want to head into the falls area for a cool off and a llook.

Just take your time and 'smell the o roses' so to speak and you should have a drama. ENJOY we did.

If you are prepared to take your time and drive to the conditions the van will be fine up to Weipa. To Seisia if you take it easy you could do it. The best thing would be to ring someone like the croc tent and ask for the road conditions as they can change quickly. When we were up there a young girl in a holden ute camped next to us so at the right time it is not that bad. The biggest problem is usually corrugations which if you lower tyre pressure and drive slower aren't a problem. Most people have problems cause they are driving to fast for the conditions.

Josh

hi. if you plan to camp in a tent, near any waterhole or river. be aware of the crocodiles.

Don't forget to chat to the people at the link below

http://www.capeyorkforums.com/forums/index.php