cooktown to chilli beach

OK

Do you just want to "drive" there and not see anything on the way or stop and smell the roses with the new bride?

If you get on the PDR and just drive there it will take 6-7 hours.

If you go up through Cooktown you can take the Battle Camp road and go through Lakeland and come out at Musgrave Road House and then north though Coen stopping to see the sights, detours to places like Charlie's Mine and camp a couple nights it will take 3-4 days.

Just remember you have to pre book camping now in Qld.

And watch out for the salties at Chilli Beach.

BTW there used to be a member on ExlopOZ from Portland Roads if you want to do a search I'm sure you'll find him.

hahaha yeah honeymoons all sorted, were going to hopevale area, so really wanted to explore chilli beach as were closer to it there than in my lounge room in melbourne, but just concerned with the time it takes to get there and back as we have other things booked in futher down the coast.
cheers ken

Fine mate. But like Lyn said above see if you have more time for it and stop to check out the (as she put it) roses.

I am guessing that you have had to prebook and time is tight. But it is a damned long way back.

If you want a few ideas then all you have to do is ask. And please ignore the "google is your friend" ones. If you do not know what you are searching for how can a search help.

Appreciate the reply viv,

Can you give me any more info on batttle camp rd , did you have to cross the pascoe river , what was that like.
Were travelling alone, with a suitable 4wd ,but no winch i do have a hand winch if i really need it,
I like your trip plan that would suit us , i could do hope vale on the way back through.
Cheers ken

Ken,

Just rechecked my trip notes and realised it was Hann Crossing not Kalpower, where we camped in Lakefield NP, but whichever you choose would be good.

Battle Camp road was good going and the only water crossings we made were easy. We travelled with a Prado and Kimberley offroad camper and our friends had a Nissan and a Trakshak.

The Pascoe River crossing on the main road to Chili Beach was wide but easy. Its the crossing on the Frenchmans Track that is difficult but to do that would be further for you as its the northern entrance.

Portland Road has a restaurant which serves delicious lunches and the view is lovely.

Best wishes
Viv

Thanks viv,

One more question, would 2 nights be enough at chilli or would 3 be better.
Did you see any crocs, are you able to cool off in the water.

Thanks again viv , very helpful

Ken,

We didn't see any crocs or any signs that they were there, but that's not to say they're not!! We also didn't go swimming just wandered along the beach.

We enjoyed our two nights there and could've spent another but all we did was read, wander, visit Portland Roads, visit Lockhart River and generally relax. Its very windy there, constantly....but the camp sites are fairly sheltered.

On the way there or back you might find it interesting to have a visit to Charlies Place near Coen. We didn't but wish we had. There are camp sites etc You will find lots of info if you check it out.

The drive through Lakefield NP was very interesting especially the plain with what seem like thousands of termite hills....

All the best

Viv

Great thanks viv,

Just running over some maps now, and planning a route which will suit.
Appreciate your help. Will let you no what we choose.
Never been so keen for a trip in my life, we also have a 120 prado very comfy and capapble 4x4s.
Cheers ken

Gaz,

Awsome right up mate very helpful also, having some dinner running through it now looking at the computer and maps , trying to figure out the best route as we want to visit cape trib and eddies. Either on the way up or way down not really phased , planned to ditch the van at cape trib, and live in the roof top tent for a week or so.
Cheers again ken

Gaz,

Questin mate, iv read your trip plan, and you report 240k's from archer river to port douglas, i did a shearch and i get 570k's taking near on 10 hrs.
Im guessing your right as you have done the trip, trying to work out my days driving and getting really confused hahaha.
Ken

Hi Ken,

The 240ks was from Laura RH your 570ks from Archer River RH to Port Douglas is correct. We did it in a day. Road conditions were good and as I remember it - it was a relatively easy day.

Sorry if I caused any confusion.

Gaz

Great area ... perfect for a honeymoon!

I was up there last in 2009 and made this short video -

https://vimeo.com/16300935

G day Scott

Mate how good is that video , just booked our camping last night 2 nights at chilli beach then 1 night in hann river and then to hope vale.

After seeing your video i wanna go now, looks awsome. But now thanks to you hahahaha i need to get my hands on a rooftopper tinny.

Any advice or helpful info.

Cheers Ken