Would this route be an efficient use of time?

[BLU-125]

A group of six vehicles are planning a trip into your backyard. Does this route sound sensible?

17-6: Townsville to Undara Volcanic NP.

18-6: Lava Tubes to Lappa.

19-6: Lappa to Maytown.

20-6: Maytown to Laura. (Not camper trailer friendly?).

21-6: Laura to Coen.

22-6:Coen to Vrilya Point via OTT.

25-6: Vrilya Point to Punsand Bay.

27-6: Punsand Bay to Chilli Beach (via Frenchman's Track).

29-6: Chilli Beach to Archer River Road House.

30-6: Archer River to Saltwater Creek.

1-7: Saltwater Creek to Cooktown.

2-7: Cooktown south to Cairns and home.

[Nedly]

A group of six vehicles are planning a trip into your backyard. Does this route sound sensible?

17-6: Townsville to Undara Volcanic NP.

18-6: Lava Tubes to Lappa.
I haven't travelled this stretch of road, but I expect there would be no problem.

19-6: Lappa to Maytown.

20-6: Maytown to Laura. (Not camper trailer friendly?).
Late June SHOULD be OK, one of our group towed a trailer through here last year in October.

21-6: Laura to Coen.
Very easy

22-6:Coen to Vrilya Point via OTT.
My opinion, not realsitic, big ask for 6 vehicles. Don't forget, you should get your permit from the Jardine ferry before going into Vrilya.

25-6: Vrilya Point to Punsand Bay.

27-6: Punsand Bay to Chilli Beach (via Frenchman's Track).
We did Punsand to Weipa in about 7 hours back in Aug '07 with 3 vehicles.
I don't think you could get to Chilli in one day, not via Frenchmans in June, probably take 12+ hours for 6 vehicles.

29-6: Chilli Beach to Archer River Road House.

30-6: Archer River to Saltwater Creek.

1-7: Saltwater Creek to Cooktown.

2-7: Cooktown south to Cairns and home.


G'day Blue,
Hope my comments above are of some help, you certainly seem to putting a lot in to a short time

[BLU-125]

Thank you for the reply.

20-6: Maytown to Laura. (Not camper trailer friendly?).
Late June SHOULD be OK, one of our group towed a trailer through here last year in October. Probably best to send our one camper trailer around the long way..........;)

22-6:Coen to Vrilya Point via OTT.
My opinion, not realsitic, big ask for 6 vehicles. Don't forget, you should get your permit from the Jardine ferry before going into Vrilya. Sorry, didn't make this very clear, expected to take two + days to get there.

27-6: Punsand Bay to Chilli Beach (via Frenchman's Track).
We did Punsand to Weipa in about 7 hours back in Aug '07 with 3 vehicles.
I don't think you could get to Chilli in one day, not via Frenchmans in June, probably take 12+ hours for 6 vehicles. Thanks for the advice, will allow two days.

Hope my comments above are of some help, you certainly seem to putting a lot in to a short time. Comments are appreciated, as I have no idea of travell times up there. Will revise the schedule and repost.

[Nedly]

Thank you for the reply.

20-6: Maytown to Laura. (Not camper trailer friendly?).
Late June SHOULD be OK, one of our group towed a trailer through here last year in October. Probably best to send our one camper trailer around the long way..........;)
Towing the trailer will be OK, depending on experince and vehicle, though some sections are steep. If the rocks are wet I imagine it could be very slippery, with or withour trailer. A larger towing vehicle would be a definite plus.

22-6:Coen to Vrilya Point via OTT.
My opinion, not realsitic, big ask for 6 vehicles. Don't forget, you should get your permit from the Jardine ferry before going into Vrilya. Sorry, didn't make this very clear, expected to take two + days to get there.
2 days will be easy

27-6: Punsand Bay to Chilli Beach (via Frenchman's Track).
We did Punsand to Weipa in about 7 hours back in Aug '07 with 3 vehicles.
I don't think you could get to Chilli in one day, not via Frenchmans in June, probably take 12+ hours for 6 vehicles. Thanks for the advice, will allow two days.
2 days makes much more sense, day 1 to Bramwell Stn, day 2 to Chilli, but be aware it will be school hol's, and WILL be crowded.

Hope my comments above are of some help, you certainly seem to putting a lot in to a short time. Comments are appreciated, as I have no idea of travell times up there. Will revise the schedule and repost.

Travel times are hugely variable due to weather/road conditions, what's easy one day will be completely different during or after rain.
While you need some sort of schedule it must be flexible.
If the camper trailer desides to bypass Maytown it may not be all bad, he could stay at Jowalbinna which is reported to be very nice.

[BLU-125]

This is the revised itierary.

16-6: Cairns to Maytown

17-6: Maytown to Laura.

18-6: Laura to Coen.

19/20-6: Coen to Vrilya Point via OTT.

21/22-6: R&R @ Vrilya

23-6: Vrilya Point to Punsand Bay.

24/26-6 Punsand bay to tip & Somerset & return.

27/28-6: Punsand Bay to Chilli Beach (via Frenchman's Track).

29/30-6: Chilli Beach area R&R

1-7: Chilli Beach to Archer River Road House.

2-7: Archer River to Saltwater Creek Area.

3-7: Saltwater Creek to Cooktown.

4-7: Cooktown south to Cairns and home..............

[Nedly]

This is the revised itierary.

17-6: Cairns to Maytown

18-6: Maytown to Laura.
Good looking camping area behind the pub.
The trip from Maytown to Laura (80km abt) could take up to 6hrs, if going via the Old Coach Road. Could also be done in about 4hrs if conditions are good.

19-6: Laura to Coen.
A few options here, camp in town across from the pub, head out of town to The Bend, stay at Charlies (I think that's his name).

20/21-6: Coen to Vrilya Point via OTT.

22/23-6: R&R @ Vrilya

24-6: Vrilya Point to Punsand Bay.

25/26-6 Punsand bay to tip & Somerset & return.

27/28-6: Punsand Bay to Chilli Beach (via Frenchman's Track).

29/30-6: Chilli Beach area R&R

1-7: Chilli Beach to Archer River Road House.

2-7: Archer River to Saltwater Creek Area.

3-7: Saltwater Creek to Cooktown.

4-7: Cooktown south to Cairns and home..............

If this is your first trip to The Cape, it's a very quick one.
You'll be back.
You will be hitting most of the more popular spots on your trip, I would strongly suggest you pre-book Punsand.

[kingchevy]

the maytown old coach road is awesome I really liked it take the time around there...

[BLU-125]

I realise that it is a quick trip, but I just can't find a way to make it any longer with business commitments for my wife & I......and quite a few of those accompanying us.

I am treating this as much as a discovery mission as a holiday......;)

[Scorcher]

I realise that it is a quick trip, but I just can't find a way to make it any longer with business commitments for my wife & I......and quite a few of those accompanying us.

I am treating this as much as a discovery mission as a holiday......;)

Blu,

Discovery missions are a great idea.

We did our first "Discovery" mission up into the Cape in 1987, and, after 10 trips, we are still discovering new places !

Heading off again in 6 weeks....can't wait !

Scorcher

[Brigalow]

the maytown old coach road is awesome I really liked it take the time around there...

Tell me when and Les and yours truly will be there in a flash....:p :p

[BLU-125]

One week to go.......any ideas on improving our plans?

Can't f...in' wait!

[Scorcher]

One week to go.......any ideas on improving our plans?

Can't f...in' wait!

G'day Blue,

One good thing about this time of the year in the Cape, is that there are plenty of vehicles on the move. Up to date information from fellow travellers may either put you off visiting somewhere or see you taking a different route

Whilst our group always try to have a rough itinery, identifying a number of priority areas to visit, we always allow it to be flexible enough should things change along the way.

A broken diff or major mechanical issue, strong winds (mainly on the east coast), or unseasonal rain, can quickly change your plans by several days either way.

And if the fish are on the bite at one of our favourite spots......all planning goes out the window.

Enjoy your trip !

Cheers

Scorcher

[BLU-125]

Your comment about vehicle problems was strangely prescient. The Jeep chose Sommerset to decide it was time for a new starter motor.

Punsand Bay management, (John & Jaquey{?}), went out of their way to make our extended stay a pleasure, and June from the Bamaga Post Office was very helpfull.

Absolutely loved the place, and will return sooner rather than later...... ;)