I Did It My Way

[batesy]

There's a million and one ways to run the Cape and you'll find everyone on this forum will have their own version going on their previous trip or off a friend's suggestion.

Some people race through the Cape in a couple of weeks, some choose to mosey along for a few months. Everyone's different. Maybe you're on the hunt for a rare butterfly at Iron Range National Park or keen to haul in an awesome barra in Weipa. Perhaps you're the type who's just dying to drive through the iconic Gunshot Creek or are you just on a mission to make the 'Tip'. Either way, we've all got an adventure to take. And every adventure can take a different route. You'll find some key destinations will continually crop up in most travellers itineraries. These may include:

1. Cairns-Daintree-Cooktown (Camp at the Lion's Den Hotel or Endeavour Falls)
2. Lakefield National Park (pitch a tent at the numerous camp spots)
3. Hit the PDR (Peninsula Development Road) proper (camp at Archer River)
4. Weipa for fishing or...
5. Head North onto the OTL (Numerous Camping spots along the way.
6. The three falls - Fruitbat, Eliot, Twin.
7. Continue the OTL run to Jardine River, ferry across then head into Bamaga.
8. Stay at Seisia or Punsand for a more beach orientated setting.
9. See the pointy bit (The Tip)
10. Back down the PDR - passing through Laura this time to see Split Rock.

This is by no means the complete list ... whole books have been written about the Cape and it's history, lifestyle and attractions (apparently there's even a magazine!!).

What's the best journey?

That'd be the one you actually did yourself ... or maybe it's the one your planning ...

[tolinja]

Hi all. Just got back after 5 weeks on the cape. Travelled north to Cairns via the coast. Then to Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield track to Cooktown, Battle Camp to Old Laura, Old Laura north via Coen etc etc to Bramwell to Elliot Falls, Fruitbat Falls, bypass roads to Seisha, Loyalty Beach, Punsand Bay, the tip, Sommerset, TI & Horn Is looked at the old crossing on the Jardine back down via Capt Billy, Bramwell Station, Weipa via Bativa, Old Mapoon then to Chilly Beach, Lockhardt River, Musgrave, Lakefield NP at Hann crossing, through the park to Laura then the inland way to Undarra Lava tubes, Charters Towers, Emerald, Blackwater, Rockhampton and then the coast to Bundaberg.

Haven't got time to write a full trip report at present however because I received so much info from the forum prior to going I thought I would try and put something back in for those doing the trip in the near future. So if you have any specfic questions fire away.

Went solo with the wife and 2 children, Hilux 3l turbo towing an off road camper. Stayed at Noah Beach, Cooktown CP, Old Laura homestaead, Coen at the bends, Bramwell Service Station, Seisha CP, Captain Billy, Bramwell homestead, Chilly Beach, Weipa CP, Musgrave, Hann Crossing, Palmer River Roadhouse, Milla Milla, Undarra, Belyando and Blackwater.

Just typing this makes me want to go back to-morrow. For all those planning to go or going, if you have only half a good a time as we had you will have a ball. And get a copy of the Cape Yorker magazine. What a great read. Our copy is worn out. Cheers.
found this and think it belongs in here

[MTpockets]

Hi Tony,
Who wrote that and where did you find it? I thought it was you for a second, and realised it wasnt.
cheers
Les

[tolinja]

cant remember sorry
it was on this forum
i was reading through all the notes and found it
when is your trip?

[tolinja]

ok found it les
14-07-2007 #1
HOFFY
Croc Hatchling


Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 14 Just got back from the Cape

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all. Just got back after 5 weeks on the cape. Travelled north to Cairns via the coast. Then to Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield track to Cooktown, Battle Camp to Old Laura, Old Laura north via Coen etc etc to Bramwell to Elliot Falls, Fruitbat Falls, bypass roads to Seisha, Loyalty Beach, Punsand Bay, the tip, Sommerset, TI & Horn Is looked at the old crossing on the Jardine back down via Capt Billy, Bramwell Station, Weipa via Bativa, Old Mapoon then to Chilly Beach, Lockhardt River, Musgrave, Lakefield NP at Hann crossing, through the park to Laura then the inland way to Undarra Lava tubes, Charters Towers, Emerald, Blackwater, Rockhampton and then the coast to Bundaberg.

Haven't got time to write a full trip report at present however because I received so much info from the forum prior to going I thought I would try and put something back in for those doing the trip in the near future. So if you have any specfic questions fire away.

Went solo with the wife and 2 children, Hilux 3l turbo towing an off road camper. Stayed at Noah Beach, Cooktown CP, Old Laura homestaead, Coen at the bends, Bramwell Service Station, Seisha CP, Captain Billy, Bramwell homestead, Chilly Beach, Weipa CP, Musgrave, Hann Crossing, Palmer River Roadhouse, Milla Milla, Undarra, Belyando and Blackwater.

Just typing this makes me want to go back to-morrow. For all those planning to go or going, if you have only half a good a time as we had you will have a ball. And get a copy of the Cape Yorker magazine. What a great read. Our copy is worn out. Cheers.

[MTpockets]

cant remember sorry
it was on this forum
i was reading through all the notes and found it
when is your trip?
Thanks for posting it as I think its a good bit of info.
Our trip will be August this year. If things dont go the way I want them , it will be 2009.

[campdog]

Hi all. Just got back after 5 weeks on the cape. Travelled north to Cairns via the coast. Then to Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield track to Cooktown, Battle Camp to Old Laura, Old Laura north via Coen etc etc to Bramwell to Elliot Falls, Fruitbat Falls, bypass roads to Seisha, Loyalty Beach, Punsand Bay, the tip, Sommerset, TI & Horn Is looked at the old crossing on the Jardine back down via Capt Billy, Bramwell Station, Weipa via Bativa, Old Mapoon then to Chilly Beach, Lockhardt River, Musgrave, Lakefield NP at Hann crossing, through the park to Laura then the inland way to Undarra Lava tubes, Charters Towers, Emerald, Blackwater, Rockhampton and then the coast to Bundaberg.

Haven't got time to write a full trip report at present however because I received so much info from the forum prior to going I thought I would try and put something back in for those doing the trip in the near future. So if you have any specfic questions fire away.

Went solo with the wife and 2 children, Hilux 3l turbo towing an off road camper. Stayed at Noah Beach, Cooktown CP, Old Laura homestaead, Coen at the bends, Bramwell Service Station, Seisha CP, Captain Billy, Bramwell homestead, Chilly Beach, Weipa CP, Musgrave, Hann Crossing, Palmer River Roadhouse, Milla Milla, Undarra, Belyando and Blackwater.

Just typing this makes me want to go back to-morrow. For all those planning to go or going, if you have only half a good a time as we had you will have a ball. And get a copy of the Cape Yorker magazine. What a great read. Our copy is worn out. Cheers.
found this and think it belongs in hereMy last trip was April last year, as soon as I look at a photo im ready to go again, It must be a sickness that there is no cure, only tratment is go again.

[Nedly]

My last trip was April last year, as soon as I look at a photo im ready to go again, It must be a sickness that there is no cure, only tratment is go again.

My last trip was August last year, taking the treatment this year, August again.
I'll write up a bit of a report of our last trip over the next week or so.
This years trip is still in the planning stage.

Les

[MTpockets]

Hi Les,
We are going August as well. I am very interested in your write up. The pros and cons of August travel will help me with my plans.:)
cheers
Les

[Nedly]

Hi Les,
We are going August as well. I am very interested in your write up. The pros and cons of August travel will help me with my plans.:)
cheers
Les

Les,
With a name like that you MUST be a nice bloke.
Pros and cons, it all depends on what you are after.
If you want really deep water crossings go earlier in the year, it's usually relatively dry in August.
If you want to avoid the worst of the corrugations, go in April.
I chose August because it is between school holidays, theory being there would be less crowds.

Sounds like you have been up there before from your Pascoe river crossing question, either that or you have done some really good research.

Send me a PM if you want more specific info, I live around Carina.

Les

[MTpockets]

Les,
With a name like that you MUST be a nice bloke.
Pros and cons, it all depends on what you are after.
If you want really deep water crossings go earlier in the year, it's usually relatively dry in August.
If you want to avoid the worst of the corrugations, go in April.
I chose August because it is between school holidays, theory being there would be less crowds.

Sounds like you have been up there before from your Pascoe river crossing question, either that or you have done some really good research.

Send me a PM if you want more specific info, I live around Carina.

Les
Of course I am a nice bloke, just as I am sure you are....... hahaha

Mate, I have not been any further than Ellis Beach. My family travelled all around the country with a 13'6 caravan in the 60's and 70's and Dad worked JRT sugar trucks all around Tully to Cairns basically. We were supposed to get all the way to Mossman / Port Douglas in 1970, but the old Chrysler Royal played up at Ellis and we headed back to Innisfail.
The reason I asked the question about the Pascoe is due to watching Peter Ikins dvd of the cape (watched it again yesterday)
I live round Waterford, not that far away... thanks for the info mate.
cheers
Les

[Nedly]

Hi Les,
We are going August as well. I am very interested in your write up. The pros and cons of August travel will help me with my plans.:)
cheers
Les

I haven't forgotten about the write up, it's a work in progress.
How many pages will be too many?
I'm up to day 10 at the moment and already 7 pages, I might have to do some editing.

Maybe I should post in daily instalments.

[tolinja]

please post her up nedy thanks

[MTpockets]

No worries old mate, when its up, I will read it, till then I shall be a patient little bugger.:D :D

[tolinja]

still waiting to read others itineraries

cheers
tony

[campdog]

still waiting to read others itineraries

cheers
tony
I could write the last 3 trips from memory, day by day, Ive got to start thinking about something else.

[Nedly]

This trip report is getting bigger than Ben Hur, so for it's at 14 pages and I'm only up to day 20.
This doesn't include photo's either.

Does anyone know anything about BLOGS?
Is one provider better than another?
Has anyone got an opinion of 'iBlog'?

I'm starting to think the best way to do this is to create a blog and link to that.

Report's still in progress, obviously.

[tolinja]

This trip report is getting bigger than Ben Hur, so for it's at 14 pages and I'm only up to day 20.
This doesn't include photo's either.

Does anyone know anything about BLOGS?
Is one provider better than another?
Has anyone got an opinion of 'iBlog'?

I'm starting to think the best way to do this is to create a blog and link to that.

Report's still in progress, obviously.

gday nedy
i am bayside brisbane , birkdale
you close?
tony

[Nedly]

gday nedy
i am bayside brisbane , birkdale
you close?
tony

I'm at Carina, not for from Bunnings and BCF at Cannon Hills shops.
Almost perfect, the only thing missing is a pub.

[tolinja]

hmmmm... pub
??????
seeya later