CAPE YORK

[mudlux]

Going to Cape York next year.
Can anyone tell me the best time to travel, June - October?
Will be traveling Cairns to Cooktown via Bloomfeild
to Weipa, OTL, Iron Range NP & Lakefield NP
Will 3 weeks be enough time from Brisbane?
Any other info would be great. ???

go to www.offroader.com.au (http://www.offroader.com.au) and email steven from the contact us page.

He has just returned from 4 weeks at the cape, and documented alot of the trip for info.

He wont reply till Monday, as he is up the snow this weekend, but he will reply.

[hux]

Ok depends on what you are after. If you want plenty of water crossings that are deep or maybe treacherous, and the country to look at lot greener then go as close as possible to the end of the wet season.

If you like milder conditions, the roads probably more recently graded and milder temps that August is nice.

If you want it warmer, drier and the likelihood of catching fish the later the better....late Sept/October.

Thats when we are doing up next year and taking 5+ weeks ex Brisbane. Depends how much you want to see and whether you like to camp for a few days in various places to rest and fish.

[mudlux]

More info please

[bbushy]

We did the Cape In September with about 20 cars on a 4wd rally from The Grampians up and reckon that was probably the best time to be up there. There was still a fair bit of water around yet dry enough to give the best of both worlds. The Telegraph was impassible and many cars that went down it sustained body damage and then had to turn around and come back out because it was so wet in there.
Don't know what kind of info you want but if you go through the Wenlock there is a guy, don't know if he's still there but he's a mechanic with pretty well everything if you've got any problems as our gas tank shook out and fell off on the way through because of the corrigations, so thats how we found out about him.
The most important thing is we were paying between 6 and 8 bucks a stubby up in Seisa and Bamaga so make sure you carry enough before you get there. :)
What else?

[mudlux]

Thanks all, any more info please.

[mud magnet]

Hey Mudlux

I went up to the Cape in 98 & 2001 both in times we went up there was in September and we found it good to travel
mind you there were the lingering showers hanging above
but nothing to worry us. So i suggest September and also
take note of the weather if in doubt dont take the risk.

We also did a trip to Woologorang Station west of the cape
and did bloody well as fishing goe's just watch those little
Mud Gecho's they have no respect for us humans anymore
my boat accidentaly sustained some light dents because
the crocs wpouldn't get out of my way.

[2 BRUTAL]

g'day i went to the cape in 1991. too long ago. we did it in 3 weeks from brissy in september which was way too short a time. we had 2 4wds and 2 motorbikes between 7 of us. had an absolute ball of a time and would love to get back 1 day. just remember that in some parts of the cape you are travelling thru aboriginal land and that some areas are now totally alcohol free and even if you are just passing thru it is against the law to even have it in your vehicle. i would imagine some people would still take it thru but be warned if you get caught. fruit bat falls is a great place to spend a couple of days on both legs of your trip, the natural spa bath rapids and crystal clear water is very refreshing. the corrigations are an absolute killer on your 4b. make sure you have very good mounting points on bullbars, roofracks, rear wheel carriers etc because the corrigations will test every component of your vehicle. if you like fishing, weipa, seisa and punsand bay and the tip itself are good spots, we did all our fishing from land and caught some monster fish. don,t fartass around with 10 or 15 pound line though or you won't stand a chance on anything big. take some 50 or 60 pound hand lines and put some heavy line on your rods also. 3 weeks is a quick trip because you loose 4-5 days just getting from brissy to cairns and back. you could take 6 months and still not see everything so beggars can't be choosers. just watch out for the big unimog tourist buses they think they own the road. don't go overboard loading your vehicle as the suspension is going to cop heaps. fuel is readilly avail at just about all places so unless you have a gusler i would only probably carry 2 x20l jerry cans as spares. but if are going to venture off the main track too far i would carry more. it is not all that isolated as some people would think in relation to vehicular traffic. at times it is quit busy but don't be fooled into thinking you don't need a well set up truck because if it does fail you will be isolated with spare parts available. have a great trip.