May 2009 Itinerary

[Smithyworld]

Hi Everyone

Looks like a great forum you have going here. We are leaving Sydney on the 16th May for the Cape. Can't wait! Already having sleepless nights in anticipation!

Following is our intinerary. What do you think? Any suggestions? Are we too ambitious? Have we left enough time etc? Look forward to your feedback and comments.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/Smithyworld/CapeYorkItn20091.jpg

[Smithyworld]

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/Smithyworld/CapeYorkItn20092.jpg


http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/Smithyworld/CapeYorkItn20093.jpg

[Nedly]

G'day Smithworld,

Itinerary looks pretty good, though I do think you will be pushing some sections.
You don't say how many will be in your convoy, or if travelling solo.
The more vehicles in a convoy the slower the convoy will travel.
This is unavoidable, photo stop's etc all take time, will there be children.

There are 3 sections in particular that seem to be very long:-

28.05.09 - Kalpower to Chili Beach - 442km
Chili beach is a very popular place and can get crowded very early in the day, I would consider planning your arrival to Chili to be before 2.00pm.

30.05.09 - Chili to Eliott Falls - 256km
Are you planning on doing Frenchmans Track?
The creek crossings may be tricky and deep, this will be a big day.

11.06.09 - Merluna Station to Cape Tribulation - 606km
Now that is a BIG day.
You're looking at maybe 8hrs behind the wheel PLUS stops.

[Smithyworld]

Great feedback Nedly. thanks very much. I will have a look at the itinerary and make necessary changes.

As for your other comments we will be two vehicles. I have also allowed for about 5 days spare incase we don't complete a sector or we want to stay extra time somewhere.

Thanks again!
Chris

[Nedly]

Great feedback Nedly. thanks very much. I will have a look at the itinerary and make necessary changes.

As for your other comments we will be two vehicles. I have also allowed for about 5 days spare incase we don't complete a sector or we want to stay extra time somewhere.

Thanks again!
Chris

Spare days are always a good idea.
When planning an itinerary I usually allow sacraficial days, bookings etc usually dictate arrival/departure dates, I try and allow stops that don't require bookings and or deposits, ie, sacraficial days.

One thing about a trip to the Cape, and I'm sure it has been mentioned elsewhere in this site.
A trip to the Cape is not about the destination, it's equally about the journey.
Take the time to stop, 'see' and enjoy what there is to offer.
It's much better to take 2 'short' days than spend one long day behind a wheel, you just end up getting tired and unable to enjoy.

Wow, that's profound.
Where did that come from?
I surprise myself sometimes, scare the crap out of others though.

[campdog]

I would be a bit wary of Bathurst Bay that time of year as well.Depending on the wet as well.
John

[geoffjy]

I cant say for certain yet but it should be ok. Everything is really dry and the grass is allready starting to die off.

[plucker]

On the early part of the trip you could be held up around Emerald with slow mining equipment moving with police escorts. The traffic is sparse around there but the drivers can be erratic.
There are some places that make good camps along the Telegraph track before you get to Elliot falls. Once you see how beautiful it is you might want to stay longer.
Good thing to have extra days up your sleeve as everyone has different ideas on what is nice etc. No doubt you will have a blast and the weather should be ideal that time of the year.
Geoff did you guys get the wet like us southerners did and what are the creek levels like now?

[geoffjy]

If you plan on getting to the falls late in the arvo you might even consider camping at a place like Cockatoo crossing maybe as there is a good chance that the camping area will be full. That leaves you to spend most of the day then at the falls without having to search out a camping spot.

We didnt really get a wet Plucker. We had perhaps 2 weeks of rain and high tides when that cyclone passed south of Weipa but that has been about it. When you guys were getting flooded and Vic being burnt, we had really calm weather with no clouds in the sky.

As for the creek crossings, i cant see them bneing too high but will check when i get back. I will be calling into Heathlands Ranger station on the way up then possibly going through Cockatoo on the way up.

[Smithyworld]

Thanks for all the replys guys. Sounds like mid May should be a good time and we should get to most areas that we want to go. I think I will definitely have a look at allowing a couple of extra stops though to reduce some of the bigger days and allow more time on the OTL.

6 weeks to go can't wait!

[plucker]

Yeah the OTL is where a lot of the action is and really can be a highlight for a first timer.

Dont know if you have planned it into you itinery, but TI is a fantastic place to see. There are tours too which might be expensive but it is a long way to go to miss too.

Enjoy your holiday in the best part of the country.

Oh I bet you have that good a time you will go back.

[geoffjy]

Its a shame really. The telegraph track is a lot easier today but used to be a lot more challenging going back 7 years or so. It used to take me about 2 days to traverse the southern part without stopping much. Today i can drive through the southern part in about 6 hours.

What really stuffed it up was when they (i think it was BHP) decided to put a gas pipline down the telegraph track. It came to the point where they widened it up and fixed crossings and put culverts in several areas. From here though was when things fell through due to negotiations with Indigenous Land onwers.

[Smithyworld]

Hey All

Have updated the itinerary a bit to take into consideration some of the feedback. As for the Chilli beach to Elliot Falls section we will play that one by ear when we are there. See how long it takes and use one of our spare days. I think any itinerary for a trip like this has to be flexible. It would be boring having to follow an itinerary like a set of rules!

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/Smithyworld/CapeYorkItn20091.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/Smithyworld/CapeYorkItn20092.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/Smithyworld/CapeYorkItn20093.jpg

[geoffjy]

Thats true. The updated timetable looks better however, you will still be rushed in one or 2 areas such as from Eliot falls along the OTL to the Tip then back to Seisia. I can guarantee by the end of this day you would probably feel like downing a slab of your preferred beverage.

[Smithyworld]

Thats true. The updated timetable looks better however, you will still be rushed in one or 2 areas such as from Eliot falls along the OTL to the Tip then back to Seisia. I can guarantee by the end of this day you would probably feel like downing a slab of your preferred beverage.

We will add a day into the OTL sector. PLan on playing that one by ear. As for the Tip to Seisa I am a bit confused. It is only 17 kms or have I missed something? Have a few days in Seisa and plan to use that as our base to explore the surrounds areas such as the Tip etc

Thanks again for the feedback. Much appreciated!

[geoffjy]

On your intinery, it shows that on the 01/06 you will be travelling from Eliot falls up along the telegraph track then to Seisia then onto the Tip and then back to Seisia again. I presume you will also be getting out and taking pics of the crossings and such?

The trip from Seisia to the Tip is about an hour long without rushing. Once you arrive at the Tip (Frangipani Beach?, there is about a half hour walk out to the pointy bit to get your photo taken and then another half hour back to the car.

[Smithyworld]

On your intinery, it shows that on the 01/06 you will be travelling from Eliot falls up along the telegraph track then to Seisia then onto the Tip and then back to Seisia again. I presume you will also be getting out and taking pics of the crossings and such?

The trip from Seisia to the Tip is about an hour long without rushing. Once you arrive at the Tip (Frangipani Beach?, there is about a half hour walk out to the pointy bit to get your photo taken and then another half hour back to the car.

Ok so I might reserve the trip to the tip for the following day. The dates from Elliot Falls to Seisia is now on the 31st so we might do the Tip on the 1st. We have a couple of days in Seisia to explore. Also hear the fishing is good around the Tip so keen to give that a go too.

[geoffjy]

Ok so I might reserve the trip to the tip for the following day. The dates from Elliot Falls to Seisia is now on the 31st so we might do the Tip on the 1st. We have a couple of days in Seisia to explore. Also hear the fishing is good around the Tip so keen to give that a go too.

That woud be better. Also, when you head out to the Tip from Seisia, try and do it early in the morning as it will be cooler, the ocean calmer and will make for some nice pics. You would still then have plenty of time to do Somerset if you wanted to.

[Smithyworld]

That woud be better. Also, when you head out to the Tip from Seisia, try and do it early in the morning as it will be cooler, the ocean calmer and will make for some nice pics. You would still then have plenty of time to do Somerset if you wanted to.

Sounds great. Thanks for the info!

[bingham]

mate that is a fairly plash itenary kms and all added (i had a look at kms but did not add). I have just posted and hope to get similar productive feedback.

Is good to be organised. Possibly see you up there!!!!

[Smithyworld]

mate that is a fairly plash itenary kms and all added (i had a look at kms but did not add). I have just posted and hope to get similar productive feedback.

Is good to be organised. Possibly see you up there!!!!

Its going to get better yet. Will be adding GPS Way Point to it etc

[Damo]

Hi guys, we are leaving Cairns on the 28th April (3 days to go).

We will take our time getting to Cooktown then spend a few days there so if anyone is in the area keep an eye out for a white GU with the plates OZ2009.

We are getting everything organised & packed - can't wait

[Smithyworld]

Hi guys, we are leaving Cairns on the 28th April (3 days to go).

We will take our time getting to Cooktown then spend a few days there so if anyone is in the area keep an eye out for a white GU with the plates OZ2009.

We are getting everything organised & packed - can't wait


Have a great trip. 3 weeks to go for us!

[grahcom]

Looks like a few of you will be up and back before we leave Cooktown around 22nd June for 3 weeks or so in the cape area, so look forward to reading your postings once your back.

cya
Graham