Cape York October 2009

[dingo]

We have 2 vehicles at present leaving Cairns on the 9th and returning to Cairns on the 22nd
14 days, I know it's not enough time, it never is but have to be back in Cairns on the 22nd for some other fishing trips.

What do the locals up there think of this trip, any advise welcome and any other vehicles welcome to join. I had a few drop ut on me.

Cairns to Cooktown,
2 Days
Cape tribulation, Creb Track,Roaring Meg Falls, Bloomfeild approx 270k all up. I am allowing 2 days for this as the Creb track can take anything from 3 - 6 hours to do
Camp ?? as yet depending on how long the Creb Track takes.
Possibly The Lions Den (http://www.lionsdenhotel.com.au)
Possibly Cape Tribulation as it is approx 170k from Cairns after doing the Creb Track and there are good facilities and camping there
Then push on to Cooktown the next day

Cooktown – Musgrave Road House (Lakefeild National Park)
2 Days
Via Battlecamp ,Old Laura, New Laura, Lakfeild , Bizant, Nine Mile Bend, Violet Vale
Approx260km +
Stop for a fish somewhere


Musgrave Road House to Bramwell Junction Explore along the way Approx 290km depending on exploring
1 day

Bramwell Junctionto Seisia

2 days
Including the Old Telegraph Rd with all the creek crossings everyone goes to the Cape to do, Palm Creek, Ducie Creek, Dulhunty River, Bertie Creek, Gunshot Creek, Cockatoo Creek, Fruit Bat Falls, Elliot Falls, Twin Falls, Indian Head Falls, Sam Creek, Mistake Creek, Cannibal Creek, Cypress Creek
Then a look at the Old Jardine River crossing before back tracking to get to the Jardine River Ferry to get to Seisia Approx 210km

Seisia Stopover 4 Days:

Seisia - Weipa Approx 420km
1 day
Leave Seisia @ approx 8:00am and drive to Weipia via Vryla Point (Lightship wreck)

Weipa - Coen approx 260km
1 day
Weipa mine tour in the morning and takes approx 2 1/2 hours cost approx $30(if your interested) and maybe some fishing or sightseeing along the way to Coen depending on time.

Coen - Cairns approx 560km via Development Rd, Coen,Musgrave
1 day
Roadhouse,Laura,Lakeland,Palmer River Roadhouse, Mount Carbine, Mount Molloy, Cairns.

[Scorcher]

Dingo,

Itinery looks good.

Just one suggestion....

Seisia to Weipa via Vrilya Point Lightship in 1 day would be near on impossible I would suggest.

Perhaps an alternative would be to leave Seisia by mid-day the day before, and camp at Vrilya Point overnight. Its a magic place !!

Scorcher

[dingo]

I was thinking that and trying to see if I can pick up on a day somewhere.
Unfornturnaitly I need to be in certian places on certian dates to meet up with other people I know.
I know that all the best laid plans etc go to shite so will see what happens but good suggestion, thanks.

[geoffjy]

I agree with Scorcher on this one. From Bamaga, it takes about 3hrs to get to Vrilya Point. If you plan on seeing the lighthouse wreck, then that is another 20-30 mins north along the beach.

From Bamaga to Weipa takes about 5.5hours and thats driving with hardly any other cars on the rd and with it just being graded.

You mention fishing in several parts of your intinerary, i honestly dont thing you will be getting time to do so unless its after you have set up camp for the night.

[jc863]

We have 2 vehicles at present leaving Cairns on the 9th and returning to Cairns on the 22nd
14 days, I know it's not enough time, it never is but have to be back in Cairns on the 22nd for some other fishing trips.

What do the locals up there think of this trip, any advise welcome and any other vehicles welcome to join. I had a few drop ut on me.

. i have had my to mates drop out on me but i still want to go
i would like to join you if that is all right with you

[dingo]

That would be fine.
I have also picked up one other vehicle , maybe, they have to find and ready a vehicle, so that would be 4 all up so far. looking for no more than eight but four is good and six will be great.
One of the people coming is a registered nurse as well so she can deal out the hangover pills.
I will say that this is open to all but is family orientated. So it's not just a boys bash through the bush.

[dingo]

Slight update,
I'm now cheating between Brisbane and Cairns and catching the train.
Works out about $100 more than fuel and accommodation but better than driving 1600km and being fatigued before starting the real trip.

[Scorcher]

Slight update,
I'm now cheating between Brisbane and Cairns and catching the train.
Works out about $100 more than fuel and accommodation but better than driving 1600km and being fatigued before starting the real trip.

Sounds like your getting soft Dingo.....the road trip to Cairns is half the fun !!

[dingo]

Yeh, getting older and wiser I hope, use to travel any where any time and distance no problems.
Now I take the easy way where possible and save myself for the better parts of a trip.
When I was working in Wanaring for 12 months I use to drive from there to Sydney non stop every 2 weeks and hit nearly every pub for 2 beers. It got interesting after a while.

Then there was the time in 1982 me and 2 mates drove Sydney-Perth then turned around and came back 37 hours over and 39 back. It was just for something to do. We were all out of work at the time.

Had a talk to Carlo the other day, he seems interested.

[Scorcher]

Yes, I know what you mean Dingo.

When we do a "boy's" trip, we drive Sydney to Townsville in 2 days, then a short trip into Cairns to shop on day 3, aiming to be at Lakeland by the end of Day 3.

With the kids in tow, we are lucky to make Cairns by Day 4 !

Yes, Carlo's keen, busily fitting out his rear tray. Hopefully you guy's can make it happen.

Cheers

Scorcher

[dingo]

Graham and family (the other person coming) and myself are booked into places already including the train, we are are coming regardless of who else does or doesn't come.
Graham is doing the same as me with his son and his missus and daughter are joining him in Cairns when they fly up on the Wednesday.

This is the start of the trip.


Day 1
Leave Sydney: Monday 5th October @ 7:00am
Drive to Brisbane
Staying @ http://www.newmarketgardens.com.au

Day 2, Tuesday 6th October
Board Train at 8:55 am vehicle and all.


Day 3, 7th October

Arrive Cains Wednesday 7th October @ 3:55 pm

Staying @ http://www.cairnsvilla.com.au


Day 4:, Thursday 8th October Rest Day
Staying @ http://www.cairnsvilla.com.au

Stopover in Cains for a final check to make sure everything is in order, vehicles condition, any supplies needed etc.

[dingo]

Well a little has changed , Graham wrote his Surf off just after putting the final touches to it for the trip about 2 1/2 weeks ago No one hurt. Wasn't his fault someone came out of a side street down Picton rd (100kph zone) and Graham had to swerve just to hit the front end of the vehicle that pulled out on him.

All is not lost he has frantically been looking at vehicles to set up in time and found a 91 model 80 series with a 4.2 Diesel 2" lift Bullbar snorkel, dual batteries, dual tanks. A very good starting point to set this vehicle up.
He got it off an old bloke who had owned it since new and had every receipt that he had spent money on it from day one. Damn good find, one that you dream about when looking for a second hand vehicle. It has been to the Cape twice before and we had it out a week or so ago to test it out a bit to make sure all was in order and all went very well.
So 4 days till we leave and I'm still not packed properly , need to get back to it and refine things.

[geoffjy]

Excellant to hear that all is well. Sounds like that accident could have been a lot worse. Lucky he was able to find another quality vehicle at short notice.

[dingo]

Well Geoff, Grahams accident could have been fatal if he didn't swerve a bit as he hit them just in front of the drivers door. If he hadn't he would have got them right in the drivers door and with a 2 1/2 ton vehicle going at 100kph into a Hyundi Getz you could imagine what could have happened.

Reef Fish and Redclaw mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Just about even to marinated Wagyu Beef on the BBQ with some Garlic and Chilli Prawns with some salt and pepper squid on there as well.

Work ??????????????????????????????????????????

Haven't worked for nearly a wee. Everything prepped and ready to go except for the tools which get cleaned up and sorted out tomorrow then one more sleep till we start the journey.

[Nedly]

Hey Dingo, how about some photos.
Maybe some shots of that big GT you were telling me about.