Driving Times on Cape York

Submitted: Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 12:53

ThreadID: 80549 Views:4075 Replies:5 FollowUps:4

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Wicko

I'm heading up to the tip for the first time from Cairns soon and I wanted to know some rough driving times.

We intend to travel from Cairns to Archer River in one day and from Archer River to Seisia on the following day (via the bypass road). I realise that they will be long days but I just wanted to know what the approximate driving time might be for these 2 routes assuming that we will be driving at a safe speed and allowing for road conditions.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 12:56

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 12:56

Check out the timings on the Trek notes for Cape York. The timings are pretty accurate on the main route you are heading, though i have flagged with the EO staff that the sidetracks can be incorrect in some cases eg Bramwell Junction to Captain Billy Landing.

Hope that helps.

Andrew

AnswerID: 426348

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 13:02

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 13:02

Depending which way you are heading, ignore the Cooktown to Cairns (ie. heading South) timings, they are way out ;)

Andrew

FollowupID: 696922

Reply By: Wicko - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 13:05

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 13:05

I took a look at the trek notes and they seem to be all over the place, 8hrs from Musgrave to Coen??

I thought that someone might have done the trip recently and could let me know.

Thanks for the reply though.

AnswerID: 426350

Follow Up By: Member - Geoff H (QLD) - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 13:59

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 13:59

I used the RACQ site when I went up that way and they were pretty accurate.

Our problem was that we would find something interesting and stop for half an hour for a swim etc.

But if you are on a tight time frame just keep going.

Regards
Geoff

FollowupID: 696927

Reply By: Scoof - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 14:31

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 14:31

Wicko if the road conditions are similar to July 2010 Archer River to Seisia will be no probs in a day.Cairns to Archer River is a long day but can be done.

Have a great trip if you stay at Seisia let us all know what you think of the electrical system in the caravan Park. I will say no more for now.

Cheers Scoot. :-)

AnswerID: 426358

Follow Up By: CJ - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 20:24

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 20:24

Agree with Scoof
But if I were you I'd allow three days up not two.

Also I found that the times stated in the Moon's guide to CY is quite good. We betterered the book's times slightly but they are consistent with what we have done.
My times are only relevant to Archer as we didn't take records from there:
(June 2010 conditions)
Townsville - Mareeba 5 hrs
Mareeba-Laura 4.5 hrs
Laura - Coen 3.5 hrs (that was going up when the road was quite good. Coming down was much slower die to worsened road after the school hol's)
Coen-Archer 1.5 hrs

Unfortunately I don't have the Moon's book with me to give you their estimate on the time on the bypass roads

Cheers

FollowupID: 696961

Reply By: PAUL 100 - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 20:38

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 20:38

Wicko

I did a Cape Trip 2 weeks ago - agree, your schedule will have big days behind the wheel but can be done. Along the PDR - avg speed 90kmh. Most corregated parts - Laura to Hahn River - 60kmh and around Capt Billy turnoff - 20km section @ 40-50kmh. The rest pretty good road. Anyway for what you asked (not allowing for stops)
Cairns - Archer river 7 - 8 hours,
Archer River - Jardine R 4 - 5 hours (remember ferry stops on the dot of 5pm)
Jardine River - Siesia - 1.5 hours
Hope you are taking it a little slower on the way back - plenty to see off the PDR.
Its a great trip - take the time to enjoy it.
Cheers
Paul

AnswerID: 426395

Follow Up By: Wicko - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 21:04

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 21:04

Thanks Paul, that's about what I thought it would be.

We are taking 2 weeks to work back to Cairns, just wanted to go straight to the top and take our time coming back to Cairns.

Thanks very much for the info - much appreciated!

FollowupID: 696978

Reply By: Busy Bee - Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 21:39

Friday, Aug 06, 2010 at 21:39

Why not Cairns to Coen and stay at Charlies Mine (signs on the outskirts - "4U2C") only $5 a head donation, clean and not crowded. Plus Charlie's is worth a visit, he will fire up his one head stamper for you. Only 60km before Archer but will ease that long first day and Coen to Seisia is still an easy day's drive.
Archer is always crowded this time of year.

AnswerID: 426409