Cape York 4WD Adventure

Hey all,

We are planning on doing the Cape York trip next June. We have 6 weeks booked off, but we have to include the drive there and back (from Albany, WA) and a few days in Maryborough QLD to visit family. I was thinking that we may be able to get just under 3 weeks in the Cape.

We were wanting to ask anyone out there who has done this awesome trip to the "tip" and back before for a few helpful tips:

1. What did you find that was essential in terms of the gear that you needed to take, I.e. 4WD accessories, camping equipment etc... (trying to be as practical as possibly and limit the weight on our vehicle and camper).

2. What tracks did you do and how camper friendly were they? We have a 4WD camper. Also - do you think we could do those tracks in the time we have?

3. How were the water crossings? What equipment helped you (or what equipment did you wish you had on you) to be able to tackle these crossings?

4. How accessible was diesel and what average cost was the fuel up there?

5. How did you plan for this trip? As you can probably tell, I am a little stuck on where to start? We are really wanting to get out there and experience the Cape York - but want to ensure that we have every aspect covered, especially since our home is literally the other side and end of Aus. What parts of your trip did you plan first and where did you get the needed info from?

I would appreciate anyone's help in this matter. Very very excited!!!!!!!

Cheers,

Mel :-)
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Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:15

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:15
Mel,
A lot of the infomation you want should be on here http://www.capeyorkforums.com/forums/
Cheers Dave.
GU RULES!!

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Follow Up By: garrycol - Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 19:02

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 19:02
I have send the required registration email but no one seems to be awake - how long does it take to get registered?

Garry
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Reply By: melissa.miller - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:20

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:20
LEGEND!

Cheers mate :)


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Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:45

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:45
Pick up a copy of Ron Moons Cape guide for answers to 90% of your questions. Service your car well, fit good quality tyres & keep your weight down when packing. The Cape is no longer a remote 4x4 destination so while supplies & fuel are little dearer, it's generally not neccesary to carry large amounts of food or fit longrange tanks.
By June the rivers have usually dropped to a point where large 4b's don't need a snorkel but many do for added piece of mind. We've taken Subaru's to the Cape via the Telegraph track before & passed an XD Falcon on the Development road so really you can tow a high clearance camper most places if well prepared.
First step read the Trek details on ExOz then Ron's book & I think you'll be suitably armed.
Have fun. Cheers Craig......
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Follow Up By: bibtracker - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:59

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 18:59
So, three weeks to drive from Albany to the tip of Queensland and back . . . is your timetable a bit ambitious and will it involve driving day and night? I appreciate that you have limits on how long you can be away, but road safety has to be paramount.
Cheers, Tony
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Follow Up By: Dave(NSW) - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 19:23

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 19:23
I think they said that they had 6 weeks off & wanted to spend 3 weeks doing the cape
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Follow Up By: bibtracker - Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 01:11

Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 01:11
Yes, 3 weeks at the Cape, leaving only 3 weeks to drive there and back from Albany, and stop in Maryborough, hence my concern about them having to drive day and night. It's a long way,
Cheers, Tony
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Follow Up By: Geoff H (Q - Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 15:18

Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 15:18
We did the trip to the Cape from Brisbane in three weeks quite easily, we didn't see everything but had a ball.

So six weeks from WA should be ok.

Regards
Geoff
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Follow Up By: Off-track - Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 14:57

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 14:57
I dont think an average of ~500km a day to get from Albany to Cairns and back is terribly difficult.
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Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 22:57

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 22:57
Having been up there 3 times from Perth I can say your time frame of 6 weeks is VERY tight which will leave you no time for seeing other places on the way there or the way back.Remember that in June some of the roads and creeks can become a bit hazardous depending on the wet season of that year so I would reccomend a July trip with your time frame.With the camper I would suggest you stick to the development road as the OTR may be too much especially gunshot and nolands brook as you leave no time for a long recovery.The side trips(very nice) to Varilya point and to Cape Melville will also be a push with your time frame.Other than that if that is all the time you have gofor it as it is a lovely trip.Make sure your vehicle is up to scratch and you have all the usual recovery gear.Very important is to have good tyres and spare with an air compressor for slow leaks or repair.A snorkel or winch is not necessary at that time of year.Fuel is readilly available on the way so do not overlaed your car with jerrycans.Be crocodile aware especially if you are taking kids and carry a good first aid kit as you will be a long way from a chemist or doctor.That is my opinion from many years travelling the top end so go and enjoy.
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Reply By: melissa.miller - Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 13:12

Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 13:12
Thanks to everyone for their posts - this has been really useful information. Especially in regards to our time frame. We were looking at the map last night and we appreciate that it will be big driving days to the Cape from Albany. Our aim is to check out the Cape the best we can with the time we have which will mean we forego the awesome sights throughout the Centre of Aus and around mid QLD for another trip. On reflection of these posts we have ensured that we keep a couple of days free to recover from big bouts of driving and lessen our catch up time in Maryborough. Does anyone have any recent recollection of the road conditions along the Great Central Road and the roads from Alice Springs into QLD?
AnswerID: 469471

Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 21:27

Tuesday, Nov 08, 2011 at 21:27
Melissa,

I strongly suggest that you dodge the QLD school holidays if possible.

Visiting the Cape is a very popular during the dry season, more so during the school holidays, thus there are many people trying to see/do as much as possible in a couple of weeks.

I am not suggesting that it is only school holiday makers but some people drive as if they have to be where they are going sometime early yesterday.

On my recent Cape York trip, last June, July, August, we were lucky to escape several close shaves involving other vehicles travelling much too fast.

It`s a great part of our country, enjoy it.

Scrubby.


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Reply By: PARSO - Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 14:06

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 14:06
Hi Mel. I am a new forum member, and in a very similar predicament as I start to plan my first trip to the tip. I am looking at taking July off work to travel from Tamworth NSW up to the cape and back. Would appreciate any little gems you may have discovered through your enquiries. Also if the time frame works for you, would be more than happy to travel together?
James
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Reply By: luhuanhuan l - Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 17:30

Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 17:30
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The Spamming Rule .

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