June trip to the Cape

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 17:25

ThreadID: 85405 Views:2570 Replies:6 FollowUps:3

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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.

56kkv

I'm looking at travelling to the cape begining around (preferred)13 or 20 of June for 2 to three weeks (at present I'm flexible and can start later if needed).

I'm concerned about what the track will be like given the wet season we are having at present. I'll be looking at going straight up to Cooktown, Weipa and Seisia via the development roads on the way up. And maybe a bit more adventurous on the wayback. Would not mind the opinion of travelling there at that time of year from thoughts that know the area.

I'll be travelling alone with my brother and son in a 80 series that I'm setting up at present (Not sure about a winch at present). If anyone is travelling up at that time drop me a email/message.

Thanks John

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Reply By: Member - Toby R (WA) - Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 17:42

Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 17:42

Hi John i will be heading up the Cape around that time check the members area for Trips/Gatherings and see if it suits you.

AnswerID: 450209

Follow Up By: 56kkv - Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 19:40

Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 19:40

Thanks for the tip i'll WILL be checking the trip/gatherings section.

FollowupID: 722704

Reply By: Big Woody - Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 18:23

Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 18:23

Hi John,
Perfect time to leave mate.
You won't be the first up there so others will have forged the way for you.
Also generaly much of the development roadworks will have been done so it is usually like a freeway as there has not been enough traffic to form the big corrugations.
Finally you will beat the school holiday rush. You will see what I mean on your way back down.
We have been to the cape leaving early June and had every camp to ourselves on the way up.
I would make the comment that if you are planning to try any sections of the Old Telegraph Track then I would be doing it on the way North as the creek exits in that direction are generally much easier.
It is not a tough track and worth doing as long as you have a snorkel.

As far as the wet goes yes it has been a massive wet season for the southern part of the state but I think it has been a standard wet season for the cape and you should be fine leaving at that time.

I am heading up 3rd week in May but this time it is for work so I will not be sightseeing on the way.

Have fun Mate.

BW

AnswerID: 450213

Follow Up By: 56kkv - Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 19:37

Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 19:37

Thanks
did not even consider the direction I should exiting and entering creeks thanks good tip.On my way back I thought of spending a couple of days in the lakefeild area.

By the way how many Km per day should I expect to cover if I headed noth on the developed rds.

Thanks for the reply

FollowupID: 722702

Reply By: Member - GRANT HID(NSW) - Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 19:52

Sunday, Apr 03, 2011 at 19:52

Hi John,We will be able to let you know what the roads and conditions are like as we will be leaving from a mates place that he is managing just south of cooktown about the 10th of may.It should be interesting leaving that early in the season so we will see what we can on the way up and hopefully see the rest on the way back.
Grant

AnswerID: 450229

Reply By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 14:26

Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 14:26

I'd be more concerned about the state of the highways and roads on the way to the Cape. People are getting bogged on bitumen roads in Mackay.

Isaac Regional Council- road devastation last two weeks will be in hundreds of millions,- road trains carting coal up the beef road, almost impassable to cars.

Road damage around Mackay, hundreds of millions, a number of residential streets stuffed, even cars are getting bogged in the middle of the bitumen, rubbish trucks bogged to the axles suburban streets.

AnswerID: 450412

Follow Up By: 56kkv - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 18:39

Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 18:39

Yeah mate I invovoled in the emergency services and I spent some time in Cairns a couple of weeks ago Poor old cardwell and tully became cut of due to flooding again. we've really cop it over the last couple of months to day was the first sunny day in rocky I can remember. Anyway there are a couple of ways to skin a cat when it comes to the Bruce Hwy
Cheers

FollowupID: 722912

Reply By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 17:23

Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 17:23

You will have to keep yourself up to date with the road conditions - given the rain this year there will be no guarantee that the road will be officially open at that time.

Cape Road Conditions Link

Cheers Tony

AnswerID: 450424