2010 Cape Trip

[geoff.hardiker]

Hi Guys,

I've got a 23 day plan for our trip to the Cape next year and would appreciate any comments you have regarding the travelling times.

Or are there other easy to reach places to visit on a short trip.

Day Activities Km's Time Notes
1 Brisbane to Mackay 950 12 Drive
2 Mackay to Cairns 734 9.5 Drive
3 Cairns to Cape Trib 137 2.5 Driv
4 Cape Trib to Cooktown 95 1.5 Drive + Museum etc.
5 Cooktown to Musgrave 290 4 Drive + Rock Art
6 Musgrave to Weipa 350 5 Drive
7 Weipa Explore Weipa
8 Weipa to Bramwell 100 2 Drive + Explore Weip
9 Bramwell to Loyalty 266 6
10 Loyalty Beach Free Day
11 Loyalty Beach Explore Tip
12 Loyalty Beach Fishing
13 Loyalty Beach Thursday Island
14 Loyalty Beach to Falls 138 3 Drive
15 Twin Falls Explore Falls area
16 Twin Falls 150 4 Captain Billy Landing
17 Falls to Coen 350 6 Drive
18 Coen to Mareeba 500 7 Drive
19 Mareeba to Chillagoe 140 2 Drive + Mines
20 Chillagoe to Malanda 170 2.5 Drive + caves
21 Malanda Waterfalls, Lakes
22 Malanda to Mackay 750 9.5
23 Mackay to Brisbane 950 12

Thanks

[geoff.hardiker]

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[dave]

Looks good, Is that via litchfield? i think 3 weeks is plenty of time to explore the cape ,
I plane on around the same travel times for my trip,,4 weeks off work
gives you a bit of time to recover before going back to grind stone!

[dingo]

i think 3 weeks is plenty of time to explore the cape ,


I would sort of disagree with this bit if you really want to explore the Cape you would need a few months and still need more time.

I just spent 17 days Cairns - (4 days in Siesia)Tip - Cairns wish I had heaps more time at least another 3 weeks.

When in Weipa , if your interested in the mine tour make sure you find out what days they are running it.

If you have kids think about camping at Punsand Bay instead as they have a pool where the kids can swim and you can watch them from the bar.

Day 11, make sure you also visit Summerset Beach, Frank Jardine's Grave etc and the old Summerset Homstead site and surrounds a bit further past Summerset Beach

Day 15 could also include a trip to Fruit Bat Falls as it is something that should not be missed.

[geoff.hardiker]

Thanks Dave,

We're taking the easy road from Cooktown this time.
We had a heap of places we wanted to visit but had to cut half of them out.
After some discussion we've come up with a list of the quickest and most easily assessible places.

Regards

[geoff.hardiker]

Thanks Dingo,

We'll have a look at Somerset and Fruit Bat Falls when in those areas.

I'm still not sure where to stay at the Cape, I've heard good reports about Loyalty Beach and Punsand Bay, and the pool does sound good.

Regards

[dave]

Yeah would be nice spending more time a few months up the tip hum why not live up there !
having a look around 3 weeks is ok first trip ! next trip 8 weeks yeah would be the go for sure,,,
need to save some for next time.. :rolleyes:

[geoff.hardiker]

Yes I managed to escape to the Daintree for 18 Months but had to return to Brisbane for work, hopefully I can escape again at some time in the future.
Regards
Geoff

[dave]

what sort of klm do you get out of your 80s with gas fitted ? geoff.

[geoff.hardiker]

I can squeeze out 400k with careful driving but at other times it's down to 340k. (90 Litre tank)

I'll fill the gas in Cooktown and keep it in reserve however I should be right with the regular tank.

[dave]

So your saying the gas tank is 90l 340-400k . so both tanks gets you how far? thay have a 90 liter petrol tank should see 600ks,= 1000ks

[geoff.hardiker]

I'm not sure about the fuel tank on the cruiser because I never fill it. 90 Litres should get me about 500k I suppose depending on the conditions. I'll find out in July next year. I'm sure having the gas in reserve will get me everywhere I want to go.