CAPE YORK

Submitted: Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 17:06

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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.

robert s4

could anyone tell me if it is a hard drive from cooktown to cape mellville

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Reply By: Member - Tezza Qld - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 17:55

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 17:55

Hi Rob

Depends on which way you go. Battlecamp road past Starke is good as far as Starke then returnes to the normal track till Wookooka. The track from Wookooka to Melville has a few washouts and took me two hours.
From Starke to Wookooka ia probably around 6 hours at a gentle pace.

If you go battlecamp to Old Laura and up to Kalpower that is just gravel road.
From Kalpower to Wookooka is fast dirt. In late october they had just graded the road and it was a freeway
We did Melville to Laura in just over 4 hours. If you are towing this would be your best option

If towing the track into Melville has some good washouts with offset entry and exits so some reversing around to get yourself straight will be required.

Your question asked if it was a hard drive. No not from Cooktown to Wookooka via Old Laura. Cootown to Wookooka via Starkie is unmaintained from Starkie , has several washouts and deviations and is a more remote trip. If travelling solo or without good coms or a lower level of experience I would suggest through Kalpower.

We spent 6 days camped north of Starkie before going to Melville for 3days and didn't see another vehicle untill Wookooka on our way out, and these people were lost and followed me back to Kalpower. This was in October

Hope this helps

Cheers Teza

AnswerID: 470923

Follow Up By: Member - Tezza Qld - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:07

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:07

Oh nearly forgot.

I would rate Cape Melville as one of most remote places on Cape York.
There is fresh water available but good preparation and HF radio or satphone
communications would be mandatory. Lovely part of the world and has been a favourite of ours for many years

Cheers Teza

FollowupID: 745441

Reply By: robert s4 - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:08

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:08

you have a great set up unreal

AnswerID: 470927

Follow Up By: ModSquad - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:17

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:17

Robert,

you can reply to Tezza directly by posting using the "Post follow-up" tab. This will place your responses in the thread line of the reply to you. It also means that the person who rplied to you receives an immediate message notifying them of your "follow-up".

The post reply tab is used for people posting a response to your query. Keep going, you'll get the hang of it.

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FollowupID: 745442

Reply By: robert s4 - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:12

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:12

hows the mud crabbing there

AnswerID: 470929

Follow Up By: Member - Tezza Qld - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:17

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:17

Always good fishing and crabbing. Even without a boat Muck creek at the end of Bathurst bay should produce a meal. Don't forget to be crocwise.

We try to spend 4 months per year living and touring in the truck and it suits our needs.

Cheers Teza

FollowupID: 745443

Follow Up By: robert s4 - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:41

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 18:41

thanks again tezza i went to the gulf [massarce creek] about 10 years ago with 10 mates but me and the missus going this time just trying to find out what the conditions would be like i really appreciate your help hope u dont mind me asking.So we should be alright with second battery honda generator

FollowupID: 745444

Follow Up By: Member - Tezza Qld - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 19:11

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 19:11

Second batteries are always a good idea especially if running a fridge etc.
A Honda genny would be useful as would solar. It is not as if the noise is going to annoy anyone.

If you do the beach run up past the monument and to Cape Melville the beach can be very soft. It is a grainy sand and you will need to drop a fair bit of pressure.

Don't forget you will need to address your fuel requirments including the generator
A jerry or two for collecting water would also be handy.

Can be bad for midgees as well, so camp in the breeze and take plenty of repellant.

On arrival at the beach the left hand side is Bathurst Bay and free camping. If you go right and camp in Cape Melville National Park than fees and permits apply.

CheerS Teza

FollowupID: 745450

Follow Up By: edwin - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 22:14

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 22:14

when we were there, we free camped on the left side for 2 nights but the midgees were fierce,we then drove all the way to cape melville and camped under a nice shady tree for 3 weeks midgee free.
beautiful spot

FollowupID: 745487