Question: Cape York

Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 19:27

ThreadID: 97060 Views:2196 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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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.

Col & Razza

There is a comment above about Eliot Falls - Jardine River is impassable with a camper trailer due to 5 major river crossings, is this still so, and if so what are the rivers, or the track that bypasses this. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Just for all the other campers trying to book camping sites on DERM we are in the same position, got no idea on when we are going to get to certain campsites, due to the probability of slow going or break downs or the fact of wanting to stay somewhere for longer. We are just going to find anywhere along the way that will fit us and not try to book at all, but keeping in mind we wont be staying anywhere that requires booking as not to take anyones spot that has spent the time and taken the risk to book, because it's not the australian way to take someone else booked camp site.

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Reply By: PJR (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 20:22

Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 20:22

Hi Col

I may be wrong again but doesn't that sign refer to the old ford where you had to drive through the river itself before the ferry was commissioned. Right at the top of the northern section of the old telegraph track.

The ferry is still running as far as I know. No need for a bypass road.

That prebook bush camping is a pain. We are not developing any plans to go to Queensland. Stuff-em.

AnswerID: 491589

Follow Up By: Member - OnYaBike - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2012 at 23:40

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2012 at 23:40

Prebook camping is for national parks. Avoid them for camping like I do. There are plenty of camping options both paid and unpaid. Last year for instance we camped at the Wenlock River bridge a couple of nights, or we could have paid to camp at the old telegraph station a couple of hundred metres away and had a few home comforts and maybe some company to yarn with.
But there are a lot of people on the road this time of year, so sometimes it pays to think about where to camp early in the afternoon.

FollowupID: 767217

Reply By: Geoff H (Q - Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 21:53

Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 21:53

There are two roads from Elliott Falls to the Jardine, the Telegraph track which would be very difficult with a camper trailer, however the development road is a good dirt road. We camped at the roadhouses along the road to the Cape and found them to be comfortable and cheap.

Regards

AnswerID: 491597

Reply By: Member - eighty matey - Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 22:47

Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 at 22:47

Hi Col & Razza,

the degree of difficulty the Tele Track with a camper trailer is like any other 4wd track. Be aware of your vehicle's capability and your own.

I have friends that did the OTT with campers. They took their time and got through but it was a struggle at a couple of places.

Nolans Brook would be the deepest and potentially the hardest with a soft bottom but all the crossings just need to be taken as they come.

There is the bypass and that is fairly easy going all the way.

We didn't camp in any National Park camps at all up there. There are plenty of places to camp both bush and Caravan Park. Loyalty Beach was our favourite paid park. There is some great camping at Mutee Head. Plenty of room up there.

Have fun,

Steve

AnswerID: 491601

Follow Up By: Member - RockyOne - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2012 at 20:51

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2012 at 20:51

We went up there 1st July for two weeks. Towing Aussie Swag camper. Piece of cake all the way. Took all our recovery kit to no avail. Yes Loyalty Beach was our favourite place and did not want to leave. Lots of places to go that are so close. Laundry has coin in slot washing machines (clothes,not you) and under the palms dining at night if required. Patting one of the many horses there. Just watch their ears to check their mood. Might not work with people. We missed the OTT as too many rigs got hydrauliced and drowned there at that time. Tilt trays Pix Archer cost./Volumes/4D LaCie 750 4.32gb/4x4 Folders ALL/4x4 Cape York Adventure 2012/169_P1030127z.jpg

FollowupID: 767197