First big trip north to the Cape

[Birchy]

We are planning a 6-8 week trip or possibly longer mid July 09 onwards we have no itinery have 12 months off work for the big trip. We are doing the Cape first and then over the top end to Kimberleys.
We will be driving a Chev Silverado and towing a 21' Bushtracker van.
Do we need to book sites? What is the situation regarding free camping? We realise that we will not be able to get into the smaller camping areas and will not be doing the OTL will be sticking to the DR. I know we will miss some great things but thats the way it is. I will be travelling with my wife and 13 yo daughter and possibly another couple with a BT van.
I saw on one post you were looking for the newbies questions so look out this will be the first of many. Realise we have only 13 weeks to go and the panic and excitment is starting to kick in. Trying to get everything organised for a safe and enjoyable trip of a lifetime. :D
Regards John and Sue

[ant]

G'day John and Sue,
Welcome aboard and I dare say that after you have done the first trip that you may well be back to see and do more again.
Here goes on a few pointers.
Booking sites: definitely. Ring ahead and make sure you do have a booking, particularly as you may need a little more room than other campers.
Try Weipa campgrounds and Seisia Campgrounds. You should also be able to get a spot at Bramwell Junction. As for free spots, I guess you could always pull up along the road providing there is enough room.
Even though you mention that you won't be doing any of the Telegraph Track, I would strongly suggest leaving your van at Seisia for the day and heading back down the road and getting into the Twin Falls area. This is one spot that you do not want to miss, particularly if you are taking your wife and daughter. It is a really beautiful area and can be visited in a day from Seisia. If you have basic camping gear you could even spend a night there.

Anyway, thats my piece of advice.
Good luck with the planning and keep the questions rolling.

[Nedly]

Hi John & Sue,

Welcome to the forum.
You have picked one of the busier times of the year to visit the Cape, so booking ahead would definately be in your best interest.
You'll be taking a bit of space, both at camp and on the road, when booking make sure you tell them your space requirements etc.
If you are unable to book I would suggest you time your arrival for earlier in the day, some of the places fill up pretty quick as the day goes on.
Places like Lakeland were full by dusk but were able to accomodate a full size bus because it got there early.

I agree with Ant, Twin Falls would definately be worth a visit, though rather than coming back from Seisia you could camp at the Jardine Ferry maybe, it's a bit closer.
I'm assuming you will be using the van as 'base' and be taking short overnight trips at each stop. Pack a couple of swags, you won't be disappointed.

6-8 weeks, lucky bugga's.

[Taffy]

We are planning a 6-8 week trip or possibly longer mid July 09 onwards we have no itinery have 12 months off work for the big trip. We are doing the Cape first and then over the top end to Kimberleys.
We will be driving a Chev Silverado and towing a 21' Bushtracker van.
Do we need to book sites? What is the situation regarding free camping? We realise that we will not be able to get into the smaller camping areas and will not be doing the OTL will be sticking to the DR. I know we will miss some great things but thats the way it is. I will be travelling with my wife and 13 yo daughter and possibly another couple with a BT van.
I saw on one post you were looking for the newbies questions so look out this will be the first of many. Realise we have only 13 weeks to go and the panic and excitment is starting to kick in. Trying to get everything organised for a safe and enjoyable trip of a lifetime. :D
Regards John and Sue

Leave the van at Lakeland and do the rest by tent. We did it last year and it is a magnificent place. Bramwell Station is a nice area to camp, also charlies gold mine at coen well worth a visit, nice clean camp site, not listed in any books, just turn right and follow the sign to the dump and then follow Charlies signs. The house is made of glass bottles and recycled stuff. We spent one night there last year and well worth a visit. Twin falls is a great place to visit. Lovely swimming area and no crocs.
cheers

Taffy

[loxsmith]

Charlies gold mine at coen well worth a visit, nice clean camp site, not listed in any books, just turn right and follow the sign to the dump and then follow Charlies signs. The house is made of glass bottles and recycled stuff. We spent one night there last year and well worth a visit. Twin falls is a great place to visit. Lovely swimming area and no crocs.
cheers

Taffy

Charlie is a true outback eccentric, along similar lines to Talc Alf at Lyndhurst. We stayed there last year on our Postie bike run and he made me look normal. A top bloke, he even lets you decide what the camp site is worth!

You will all have a ball on the Cape

Glen

[grahcom]

John and Sue,
Here's a url of a guys 2005 trip to the cape (http://mikeandcarol.skovron.com/blog/2005_08_01_archive.html) with his Bushtracker you may find of interest. He had a little trouble with his van suspension, but the other vans with him went ok... This group with BT's did a bit of the OTL ie from Heathlands Ranger Stn thru Cockatoo to the PDR but state they didn't get into Fruit Bat Falls because couldn't turn around, the rest they did via PDR. (I'm aware of others with smaller vans who have gone into Eliot Falls and then came back out again to the PDR. those coming back now tell me NP's have bollards up to larger campertrilers/vans from camping in at Eliot Falls, but there are a couple of camp spots nearby without bollards. (also told bollards at main camp area Kalpowa? in Lakefield NP) they must want everyone to tent it!!! as we dont camp in NP's don't bother us.

We are currently in Cooktown leaving Monday caravanning to the top you can see any comments we make in the thread, Caravanning to Cape York 2009 (http://www.capeyorker.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9375#post9375) in the General Discussion area. or follow our trip plan here (http://tinyurl.com/capeyork2009)

My only bit of advise would be take it easy, drive to conditions and enjoy.. I'd add that even though we have yet to get to the top ourselves but we have caravanned dirt roads extensively, from my research I'd guess that if your not used to rough dirt road caravanning then you've probably chosen one of the hardest to begin on.

enjoy