Proposed Cape itinerary June/July 2012

[gclan]

Hi everyone! I mentioned on another thread that I am organising a trip for 6-7 families to Cape York this June/July, and I thought I'd run the itinerary by you all to see if there are any days that stand out as maybe too long or undoable.

We'll have roughly a month Cairns-Cairns, but will be travelling with 6-7 cars, 4 with campertrailers, and 8kids ranging from 18 months to 14yrs.

day 1 - Cairns to Cooktown: via Mossman Gorge & Bloomfield Falls, Bloomfield Track and Lions Den Hotel
day 2 - Cooktown: Guurrbi Tour and sightseeing around Cooktown
day 3 - Cooktown to Coen(The Bend):via Battle Camp Rd, across to Laura, then up PDR to Coen
day 4 - Coen to Bramwell Station: via Archer River(swim and lunch)
day 5 - Bramwell Station to Dulhunty River: via Old Telegraph Track
day 6 - Dulhunty River: drive southern OTT without campers on
day 7 - Dulhunty River to Eliot Falls or Sam Creek: via OTT
days 8,9 and 10 - Eliot Falls or Sam Creek: drive northern OTT without campers on, swim, chill, and maybe do a day trip to Vrilya Point
day 11 - Eliot Falls or Sam Creek to Nolans Brook: via OTT (if it looked ok)
day 12 - Nolans Brook to Punsand Bay: via Jardine River Ferry
days 13, 14, and 15 - Punsand Bay: check out The Tip, somerset and the ruins, the five beaches run, WW2 relics, visit the communities, buy up big at the croc shop, TI and Horn Island tours, do a fishing charter(if they're not all booked out), explore and hopefully a little bit of relaxing(maybe sunset with a drink or two).
day 16 - Punsand Bay to Vrilya Pont: via Seisia or Bamaga(or both) to stock up on goodies. # One of our group is heading straight back to Cairns from here.
day 17 - Vrilya Point: relax, maybe catch a fish, and enjoy the sunset
day 18 - Vrilya Point to Bramwell Station (or OTT ?): via Sam and Canal Creeks, a swim at Fruit Bat Falls, etc... and the southern OTT
day 19 - Bramwell Station to Chili Beach: via Batavia Goldfields and the Portland Roads Rd.
days 20 and 21 - Chili Beach: visit Portland Roads, Lockhart River Community, explore Iron Range NP, and try not to be blown away while relaxing in paradise.
day 22 - Chili Beach to Weipa: via the Frenchman's Track
day 23 - Weipa: go on the mine tour, and do any repairs to the cars that may be needed.
day 24 - Weipa to Coen,Stewart River camp(or maybe go down to Musgrave RH):
day 25 - Coen to Lakefield NP (Hann Crossing or Kalpowar Crossing):
day 26 - Lakefield NP: explore the park. Red and white lily lagoons, low lake(maybe on the way in on day 25?), and hopefully get to photograph some wildlife.
day 27 - Lakefield NP to Jowalbinna: via old Laura
day 28 - Jowalbinna to Maytown area: via the old coach road
day 29 - Maytown area to the Lions Den Hotel: via Palmer River RH
day 30 - Lions Den Hotel: catch up on chores and gloat over who recovered who(Land Rover vs the rest usually). Get the gossip on the CREB track.
day 31 - Lions Den Hotel to Cairns: if the CREB track is open and in reasonable shape, those who want to can take this track to Cairns. Those who don't want to, or if the track is closed, can go via the Bloomfield and check out some of the Daintree on the way.
days 32, 33 and 34 - Cairns area(probably Palm Cove for us): we may all go our separate ways here, or maybe hang around and reminisce about the great trip we'll have just had. Lots of relaxing and a bit of sightseeing too. The cars will need a bit of loving too before we drive the 2500km home.
day 35 - Cairns to Undara Volcanic NP: via Atherton tablelands
day 36 - Undara Experience
days 37 to 40 - Undara to Home: via Hughenden, Winton, Blackall, Charleville, Bourke and Dubbo


I am debating whether to attempt the Old Coach Rd now, and am considering having the 2 nights at Jowalbinna and possibly driving part of the Maytown track then back to Jowalbinna for the night, or just having 2 nights at Elim Beach instead.

I am also thinking it might be better to camp at the Wenlock River on the Frenchmans track or at Merluna Station instead of trying to push through to Weipa, then arrive in Weipa earlier in the day, but only have one night there.

Any suggestions will be very welcome.

Thanks
Karen

[gclan]

Well, I've reluctantly booked our NP campsites at Eliot Falls, Chili Beach, and Lakefield, so I guess we have to try hard to stick to this itinerary now. Not a lot of room for contingency plans, so fingers crossed.

[butterbing]

hello is it ok to print your itinerarie to give me some idea frist up north thanks tony

[gclan]

Yes Tony, no problem.

I'm hoping the Itinerary works, as nobody has commented to say it's not possible.

When will you be heading up?

[teamdevo]

Hey Gclan

Where abouts did you go to book the campsites i cant seem to find it bloody computers. And the other question is how did you work out how long between places up there i have never been there so unsure how long to allow between places so i can book them ect i am travelling with wife and kids in late july and towing camper so dont really want to do massive days driving if possible as kids are young

Craig

[Big Red]

Hey Gclan

how did you work out how long between places up there i have never been there so unsure how long to allow between places so i can book them ect
Craig


Gday teamdevo
I feel for people wanting to book campsites without knowing what to expect. Even with the veteran Cape Yorkers, you never know what obstacles present themselves whether it be breakdowns, bad weather, or just simply finding a nice place and wanting to stay longer. I still haven't worked out what the pros are for this system as the cons will definately out weigh. Just some that come to mind; Everyone will be bushcamping as their trip itinerary (Campsite bookings) won't line up, causing further bush degradation; People will find themselves rushing to reach the booked sites causing more "Hotrod Harries" doing way faster than necessary on the roads; The freedom of staying where you want for whatever time period is gone; Booked sites may not necessarally be there when you arrive (taken by people who haven't booked). I hope when people make their bookings that they voice their concerns about this system.
Has anyone asked when making their bookings why they have gone away from the old system?

OOROO

[teamdevo]

Mate i totally agree with what you are saying in regards to people being on your site wtf are you suppose to do then get into a punch up or go stay on someone else site in hope they dont turn up or go camp in a undesignated site and hopefully leave it as good as you can but very difficult as you've had to drive over grass and trees to get in there bloody joke but hey i guess i will cross this bridge when i get there

Craig

[gclan]

teamdevo - I booked the sites through DERM online.
https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/iaparks/gds/

Or if you're not sure of the name of the particular park, here's the map of all the Cape York Peninsula parks. Just click on which area you want.

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/list.php?region=59

It helps to have a look at the campground map first as it shows each individual site's location and it's site number, so you get an idea of where the sites are in relation to toilets, water, river, beach, and other sites etc....

Also when filling out the booking info, you can check the availability, and they also have a list of all of the campsites numbered with descriptions outlining size, number of cars, campers, and people allowed/site, whether it's a tent or campertrailer site, if it's shaded, and if near a river, how high the bank is etc...

You can also ring the rangers to find out more about the area too. They're just as happy about this situation as we are:rolleyes:

As for working out distances, I've read as many trip reports from past years as I can find, and scoured the net for any and all info on the Cape. Big Red has a couple of trip reports that are really worthwhile reading. Lots of pics too:)

Asking lots of questions on forums usually gives you good feedback. We'll have 8 kids with us in our group, 4 of them under 5. Some of our days will be big for them, but we do, or I should say until the booking system came into play, we 'did' have time up our sleeve to shorten days if necessary. We have several options in mind as backups each day, just in case;)

Good luck with the planning, and have a great trip. Chances are we'll bump into you somewhere up there, along with everyone else.

Cheers
Karen

[gclan]

Big Red - I casually voiced my concerns when I rang DERM, but nothing more. One of the several operators that I spoke to, hadn't even heard of some of the NPs that I was enquiring about, so I doubt they even really know what's going on. They were quite unprepared for my questions, hence speaking to several operators, as I was passed around from person to person. They were genuinely trying to be helpful though, so that's a start.

I was basically told that it's to stop having to keep cash on site, and that it will make it easier for people to plan their trip, and feel secure knowing they'll have a campsite. They apparently think it will stop overcrowding and bush camping as well. They'll still only have the same number of campsites, but with more and more people trying to fill them each year, so... :confused:

I have spoken with several rangers up there about the changes. They aren't overly excited to have this system come in either. They are being asked to physically check every site every day, but it's going to be impossible. Their jobs are going to be a lot more stressful.

It doesn't make sense. Maybe a disgruntled employee proposed the scheme , just before he resigned.

[butterbing]

thanks Karen for that just i am trying to get some idea on travel times frist time up to the cape for me,if its about holding to much cash they should have had park pass for the time you will be up there,plus were do get a ferry pass thanks tony.the last thing i want to be doing is rushing!!!

[Scorcher]

Just a couple of things...

The Jardine River punt pass is bought at the service station on the southern side of the river. It was $88/car a couple of years ago, covers the return trip, and includes approval to camp in some of the bush camp areas north of the ferry.

On the point of travel times. Whilst weather & road conditions can change things dramatically in a very short period of time (good example could be travelling along a badly corrugated section of road at 30km/hr which could, a week later be graded & turn into a 100km/hr track), a good reference book is Ron & Viv Moons Cape York book. It discusses the majority of the main trails, identifying distance & expected travel time.

On the point of DERM's concern about keeping quantities of cash at a self registration point unnattended....
1) With the new rules,and the expectation that the rangers will check the sites daily, I would suggest that we wouldn't be talking about LARGE quantities of cash at most sites.
2) If they are having security issues, perhaps they need to look at having different style deposit boxes ! Seems to not be an issue in many other places.
3) Perhaps, rather than collect any cash, all registrations could be on a "fill in now, pay later" basis via credit card. If the rangers are doing their job on a daily basis, they would be able to go site to site & confirm details.
It's not rocket science !

Cheers

Scorcher

[Big Red]

Just a couple of things...

The Jardine River punt pass is bought at the service station on the southern side of the river. It was $88/car a couple of years ago, covers the return trip, and includes approval to camp in some of the bush camp areas north of the ferry.


Scorcher

Gday again

Aug 2011 it was still $88 per vehicle return which also included camping fees for most places. Hang onto your receipt.

I must add to my previous post, I don't think the new prebook system has anything to do with the rangers on the Cape. My experience so far, be it limited, the rangers have been more than helpful. It appears to be from higher up in the Government.

OOROO

[Austravel]

Hi Katen,

We will be in the same area at the same time, traveling by ourselves. Used to do as you are and travel with many vehicles (a club) but damn it's painfull. Then went to 1-2 friends and that's an ideal number, or by yourself. Not that I'm criticrising you at all. You will find it takes way longer than you expect to get anywhere.

Have you thought of Usher Point? We went there about a decade ago. Lots of track clearing but it was one of the best places we went to. Though Mutee Heads was also fantastic. At least the drive in had me captivated with all the history. Stories from my Uncle in law who was stationed there in WW2 added to the experience.

This time we hope to see a few off the beaten track places but depends on weather and permits. I'm not going to book and will voice my opinion even if on deaf ears. We won't take anyone's camp but likely to just bush camp though I'd rather hand my money to NP's.

In fact I'm thinking of letting them know, because of an unworkable policy that I hold them fully responsible for any issues I have. Ie if I book and can't make it, I hope them accountable, if I have an accident in trying to get there in time, I hold them accountable, if I book and someone takes my spot I hold them accountable, if I can't find anywhere to stop due to there ridiculous policy, I hold them accountable. Very different if you can plan your travel but in FNQ that's pretty hard.

Anyway off my box! Hope you have a great trip, it looks like a good plan and you'll see some places we have been a long time ago. Next time make sure you go to Cape Melville and Ninian Bay, they are my favorite places in Qld or maybe even Aus.

Maybe we will see each other on the trip.

Regards


Hi everyone! I mentioned on another thread that I am organising a trip for 6-7 families to Cape York this June/July, and I thought I'd run the itinerary by you all to see if there are any days that stand out as maybe too long or undoable.

We'll have roughly a month Cairns-Cairns, but will be travelling with 6-7 cars, 4 with campertrailers, and 8kids ranging from 18 months to 14yrs.

day 1 - Cairns to Cooktown: via Mossman Gorge & Bloomfield Falls, Bloomfield Track and Lions Den Hotel
day 2 - Cooktown: Guurrbi Tour and sightseeing around Cooktown
day 3 - Cooktown to Coen(The Bend):via Battle Camp Rd, across to Laura, then up PDR to Coen
day 4 - Coen to Bramwell Station: via Archer River(swim and lunch)
day 5 - Bramwell Station to Dulhunty River: via Old Telegraph Track
day 6 - Dulhunty River: drive southern OTT without campers on
day 7 - Dulhunty River to Eliot Falls or Sam Creek: via OTT
days 8,9 and 10 - Eliot Falls or Sam Creek: drive northern OTT without campers on, swim, chill, and maybe do a day trip to Vrilya Point
day 11 - Eliot Falls or Sam Creek to Nolans Brook: via OTT (if it looked ok)
day 12 - Nolans Brook to Punsand Bay: via Jardine River Ferry
days 13, 14, and 15 - Punsand Bay: check out The Tip, somerset and the ruins, the five beaches run, WW2 relics, visit the communities, buy up big at the croc shop, TI and Horn Island tours, do a fishing charter(if they're not all booked out), explore and hopefully a little bit of relaxing(maybe sunset with a drink or two).
day 16 - Punsand Bay to Vrilya Pont: via Seisia or Bamaga(or both) to stock up on goodies. # One of our group is heading straight back to Cairns from here.
day 17 - Vrilya Point: relax, maybe catch a fish, and enjoy the sunset
day 18 - Vrilya Point to Bramwell Station (or OTT ?): via Sam and Canal Creeks, a swim at Fruit Bat Falls, etc... and the southern OTT
day 19 - Bramwell Station to Chili Beach: via Batavia Goldfields and the Portland Roads Rd.
days 20 and 21 - Chili Beach: visit Portland Roads, Lockhart River Community, explore Iron Range NP, and try not to be blown away while relaxing in paradise.
day 22 - Chili Beach to Weipa: via the Frenchman's Track
day 23 - Weipa: go on the mine tour, and do any repairs to the cars that may be needed.
day 24 - Weipa to Coen,Stewart River camp(or maybe go down to Musgrave RH):
day 25 - Coen to Lakefield NP (Hann Crossing or Kalpowar Crossing):
day 26 - Lakefield NP: explore the park. Red and white lily lagoons, low lake(maybe on the way in on day 25?), and hopefully get to photograph some wildlife.
day 27 - Lakefield NP to Jowalbinna: via old Laura
day 28 - Jowalbinna to Maytown area: via the old coach road
day 29 - Maytown area to the Lions Den Hotel: via Palmer River RH
day 30 - Lions Den Hotel: catch up on chores and gloat over who recovered who(Land Rover vs the rest usually). Get the gossip on the CREB track.
day 31 - Lions Den Hotel to Cairns: if the CREB track is open and in reasonable shape, those who want to can take this track to Cairns. Those who don't want to, or if the track is closed, can go via the Bloomfield and check out some of the Daintree on the way.
days 32, 33 and 34 - Cairns area(probably Palm Cove for us): we may all go our separate ways here, or maybe hang around and reminisce about the great trip we'll have just had. Lots of relaxing and a bit of sightseeing too. The cars will need a bit of loving too before we drive the 2500km home.
day 35 - Cairns to Undara Volcanic NP: via Atherton tablelands
day 36 - Undara Experience
days 37 to 40 - Undara to Home: via Hughenden, Winton, Blackall, Charleville, Bourke and Dubbo


I am debating whether to attempt the Old Coach Rd now, and am considering having the 2 nights at Jowalbinna and possibly driving part of the Maytown track then back to Jowalbinna for the night, or just having 2 nights at Elim Beach instead.

I am also thinking it might be better to camp at the Wenlock River on the Frenchmans track or at Merluna Station instead of trying to push through to Weipa, then arrive in Weipa earlier in the day, but only have one night there.

Any suggestions will be very welcome.

Thanks
Karen

[gclan]

Hi Austravel, we are a group of friends travelling up together. We do a fair bit of 4wding together. My family was supposed to go to the Cape last year, but the trip organiser(our mechanic) had to pull out, so we went with friends to the Kimberley instead.

I'd already done a lot of planning for Cape York, so when we asked who wanted to come with us this year, everyone put their hand up. We had to put a stop at 6 cars, as everyone wanted to bring a friend, and they wanted to bring a friend, and it started escalating every time somebody heard we were going. It will slow us down, but we've got a bit of time and can change the itinerary if needed.

We're planning to check out Mutee Head and the Jardine River mouth, but probably won't get out to Ussher Point unfortunately. We'd also love to go out to Cape Melville, but DERM have said they won't be opening it up until August, and we'll be well and truly gone by then. So many incredible places, I can see why people keep going back.

As for campsite booking, my husband owns a marketing/advertising company, so for DERM's sake, I hope all goes to plan for us ;)

We're always happy to have a drink and a chat, so say hi if you happen to see us. The offer's open to all Cape Yorkers. We're taking our black Land Rover Defender 110 now, and will be towing a Mountain Trail campertrailer.

Not long now :D

[gclan]

44 sleeps! Can't wait:D

[Scorcher]

44 sleeps! Can't wait:D

The build up to a trip to the Cape can be very exciting !

But, if you are like me, you will hit panic mode about 1 day out, and still be trying to pack at midnight with a 6am leave time the next morning ;)

You will have a great time I'm sure !

Scorcher

[foggy]

44 sleeps! Can't wait:D

23 sleeps for me. Sorry had to do it. The sleepless nights have already started.

Foggy

[Scorcher]

23 sleeps for me. Sorry had to do it. The sleepless nights have already started.

Foggy

15 weeks tomorrow before my team leaves.....but I will still be up madly packing at midnight the night before I'm sure !

Scorcher

[Big Red]

15 weeks tomorrow before my team leaves.....but I will still be up madly packing at midnight the night before I'm sure !

Scorcher
12 and a half weeks to go and already I'm scratching lots off the list of things to do and prepare. Last years trip was a bit like a night before and the day of the trip preparation. Not this year though.
Should have the boat ready to go next week, The 4 wheeler will be ready next week too.
The car will be ready by the end of the month and the trailer by the end of June.

I hope the others are ready......

[gclan]

Booked our Thursday Island trip yesterday.

Apparently the ferry company that ran out to Punsand Bay aren't operating this year, so we have to drive down to Seisia to take the Peddell's ferry.

Punsand Bay to Seisia - would allowing 45 minutes be enough? and is it quicker to go through Bamaga or take the 'shortcut'?

[gclan]

'Monty' is in having his pre-trip check today.

The winch, bullbar, drawers and fridge went in the other day, and spotties go on today too. Just waiting on the diff guards now and maybe a power upgrade:rolleyes:
Maybe I shouldn't have given hubby free reign on the car budget:o

37 sleeps (or should I say sleepless nights) to go!!!

[gclan]

Under a month now. I'm so excited!!!
I grew up on Groote Eylandt, and often flew over southern Cape York to Cairns, so it feels a bit like I'm going home.

Foggy, you must be down to single figure days now?

[foggy]

Yep 7 sleepless nights and where off. 5pm next saturday we will be sitting around a campfire at Carmilla beach having a few cold ones.

Fishing car prep today. Now just have to pack the camper and trailer.

Foggy