Old Telegraph Track or Bamaga Road Bypass to Cape York Tip?
Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 02:57
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Member - Kobus M (INT)
We are planning the Big Loop next year (July/August) that includes the
Cape York Tip. We will be negotiating the notorious
Cape York tracks with a Landcruiser and a Quantum Off Road Trailer/Caravan. It seems that taking the Old Telegraph Track (crossing difficult creeks like Gun Shot Creek, Cockatoo Creek, etc..) will not be possible with the Quantum on tow. Will it be possible to travel to the Tip via the
Bamaga Road Bypass towing the Quantum? Response from experienced off-roaders will be appreciated.
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 07:22
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 07:22
The
Bamaga and Peninsula roads are just more graded, unsealed roads. Their condition will vary with the weather, the traffic and the
grader.
Plenty of conventional 2WD vehicles make the journey. I timply requires travelling at speeds appropriate to the vehicle, its condition and the road condition.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome.
AnswerID:
459201
Follow Up By: Member - Toby R (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 11:45
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 11:45
I just returned from a month up the Cape and at one stage i had a Hyundai accent and a some fancy Audi 2wd camping next to me in seisha thats how great the roads where up there in early June. The Gulf development road between
Karumba and
Mareeba was the worst road of the trip besides the side tracks up the Cape. Good luck with your trip and i hope you enjoy every minute of it.
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Follow Up By: Member - Vince M (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 14:16
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 14:16
Peter has it, last year we met a girl driving a late model mini, she told us she was a nurse at
Bamaga & drove it twice a year.
We stopped as she was changing a tyre & this was the first time she had any problems & it was just a flat, my son & I plugged the tyre for her & she was off, did not see her again. She must have been doing
well over 100kph
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Follow Up By: Bigfish - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 19:55
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 19:55
Graham and Anne. Enjoyed your photos..Thankyou
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Follow Up By: Graham & Ann - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2011 at 21:25
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2011 at 21:25
Bigfish, glad you enjoyed the photos, I just had a look for a trip down memory lane and see that I've yet to put the captions on most....Must get around to that when I can find some time.........
cya
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Mark&Sue - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 07:25
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 07:25
We had 4 vehicles last year 2 with off road camper trailers, 1 with kimberly caravan towed by a Gu Patrol, we got all the way up the Telegraph Track with 2 recoveries , the first was Palm Creek and 2nd Gunshot Ck, took a fair bit off effort to get Kimberly through Gunshot. But you can take the Gunshot Bypass. The good thing about the tele tk is you travel slower and a lot more to see than the by-pass and some of the campsites are absolutely fantastic ie Canal ck.The most important thing to do is walk all the creeks first before crossing.
Cheers.
Ps all vehicles got through with no damage, only Kimberly broke a small clearance light.
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Follow Up By: Member - Robbo (QLD) - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 11:29
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 11:29
As a matter of interest how safe is it to walk these creek crossings ( crocs) ?
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Follow Up By: Member - Vince M (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 14:35
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 14:35
Robbo as most of the crossings are fresh water & a long way inland from the coast its very unlikely you will ever find a salty, I have never heard of anybody seeing one untill the
jardine & even then its rare (not many cross at the old crossing as they take the punt) My son & I walked the
Jardine last year & i still hate the North side & take precaustion (send the Kids first)
Crocs will be the last of your worries. Have a great trip which ever way you go but the by pass is so boring
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Follow Up By: Member - Robbo (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 06, 2011 at 08:49
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2011 at 08:49
Thanks Vince
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Reply By: On Patrol & TONI - Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 20:19
Tuesday, Jul 05, 2011 at 20:19
Kobus M
An alternative to towing the camper up the track, if in doubt, would be to take the bypass road north from Bramwell roadhouse to
Twin falls, set up
camp there for a few days & do the south section of the track as a day trip, return to
camp via bypass, then likewise north from
Twin Falls to
Jardine take the track as a day trip & return to
camp via bypass rd. pick up trailer & head north to
Seisia via bypass & ferry. This way you get to do both.
Don't forget to divert to
Captain Billy Landing on the way up from Bramwell, off the bypass rd. This track "usually" is OK for trailers & its a
great camp spot near the beach, can get windy however.
Cheers Colin.
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