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Brissy to Cape York

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OILSLURPER

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've toyed with this as a trip. It's a fair hike of about 2,400 klms one way! Some thoughts for member response:

Who's interested?
Needs to be after March 2011 on account of the wet season?
Return leg - maybe Treg on the Train at Cairns then Brissy (cost)?
Suggest max 500klms travel per day.
Do some decent sight seeing, such as Eungella NP etc.

Not a Simpson Desert crossing, but there is scope for some dirt travel to an iconic destination.
 
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#2 ·
Just finished watching the video that came with this month’s 4WD Action magazine. One group went up the Development road, the other the Old Telegraph Track. It seems the Development road is easy, many caravans doing it. The Old Tele Track is another thing. Definitely need a snorkel for some of those creek crossings. One car towed an Exodus van. Also some time back I watched a video of the Gall Boys do it with one of their Kedrons in tow, but I’m sure the van finished with a few dints in it. So with the correct preparation the hard way would be a great trip, and return the easy way.
 
#3 ·
interesting thought......have thought about venturing up north but havent researched it yet.....something to ponder over
 
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#4 ·
Let's do it!
 
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#5 ·
like the spirit Neil!
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
The timing is not important other than after the wet season and gives those of you enough time to book some time off. Thus, plenty of time to organise. It's mostly a civilised trip as far as fuel stops, meals/food and sleeps. Anyone with an off-road camper/van would be free to do their own thing. I'd probably do a caravan park or similar to Cooktown then 'rough it' to the Cape. But, there's some route options from Cairns northward.

Rail return - some prelim info for the Sunlander:
Australia - motorail | Car transport by train | Transport car

The Sunlander - Rail Australia

I've send them an email to get a quote, but it's not expensive as best as I can read the details.
 
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#7 ·
Would be so cool if we had this kinda stuff in the states.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
ryangambrill said:
Would be so cool if we had this kinda stuff in the states.
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Good 'ol Oz - the land of contrast. We have a culture of road travel over here of getting to see the land mass. Most of it is arid, so any journey outback needs to be well planned and self-reliant to a large degree. But the east coastal strip is well developed and goes from temperate to tropical. Lots to see and a long way from N to S. You guys - I reckon a trip from California to Oregon would be memorable on Route 101.
 
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#10 ·
Did this trip abt 30 years ago in a Landcruiser ute, it was rough going but it was a fantastic adventure. I could be a possibility for this trip next year (in style this time !) Keep me posted :).

Cheers,
Bob
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Bobk said:
Did this trip abt 30 years ago in a Landcruiser ute, it was rough going but it was a fantastic adventure. I could be a possibility for this trip next year (in style this time !) Keep me posted :).

Cheers,
Bob
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I had 2 x late 1970's Nissan Patrols when I was younger (and had bigger balls). Rough as guts! 3-speed manuals, no air, about as comfortable to drive as a Roman chariot. But them were the days of real 4x4's! None of this creature comfort stuff. Never again! I'll have the comfort all the same, style that is - I get your drift.
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
Shopping list - probably worth taking this stuff as 'Murphy' will come along no doubt:

Full size spare. Not all tyres will be the same profile, so could be hard to interchange.
A/T tyres desirable but I guess that is debatable, but H/T as a min - fair comment (?)
UHF (handset 2w - 5w) for inter-car comms.
Roof pod or rack
Inverter for a/c supply

Collective amount of recovery gear between the participants. I have 11T snatch, plus 9T shackles, 3 x towing eyes, hi-flow air compressor etc....there is likely enought stuff to get us out of trouble.

Fuel cans - need to sort out fuel stops N of Cooktown. TDI's will fare better than the FSI's, so may be a need for additional fuel supply for all or some.

As with all things like this, the list will grow for essentials and non-essentials to creature comfort. On the up side, if anyone forgets/omits something, there'll be BCF's and Supercheap auto's in the main centres going north.
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
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#14 ·
I went to the Cape 2 Years ago with my Kimberly Karavan, the only creek I would not cross is Nolans creek and Jardine river. We went up the development rd that was worse than the OT and then left the van at Bamaga station to travel the OT. Palmers creek is the worst as it drops over a rock into the river bed, so high clearance helps, gunshot creek was a piece of cake. I would not do the french line as the river crossing can be very deep. Fuel is not a issue at all and you will not need a tent either as there is always some donga or Cabine you can rent for the night. Lakefield NP can be very rough there you might need to sleep in a tent as there is no accomodation out there except about 30km in from Musgrave there is a luxery resort for bird watchers. Cape Melville again I would not do on my own as he rd can be very bad. Keep in mind the tracks and roads change every year depending on the wet. Oh suggested spares take some shocks with you as corrugation can be realy bad mixed in with good sized potholes filled with bulldust particular in the Lakefield NP.Markus
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
Portable BBQ:
U-bute

Great idea, watched demo on Channel 7 "Creek to Coast" yesterday. Looks to me to be 2 x butane cookers in one chassis and a handy carry box ($199). Plan B - 2 x butane cookers with a hot plate on top. Saw cookers for $15 each last week. Probably get a plate for <$40. Do the same job and still use 1 x cooker for the billy, saucepan.
 
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Discussion starter · #16 ·
sumar said:
Oh suggested spares take some shocks with you as corrugation can be realy bad mixed in with good sized potholes filled with bulldust particular in the Lakefield NP.Markus
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Gotta love the forum! Good feedback! Shocks. I was thinking about upgrading mine to bit more h/duty. What did yours cost?
 
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Discussion starter · #17 ·
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#18 ·
I could be a taker on this one, but I think my treg will get up to Cairns on the train, then the adventure begins .....

Markus, thanks for the tips, the collective wisdom that is this forum just never seizes to amaze me.
 
#19 ·
Suspension upgrade shocks Bielsteins and Lovell springs about $4000. Get the Maxtraxs the fit nicly just behind the saftynet with velcro staps and are light, best recovery gear I have bought I needed them recently getting out of the Tawallah river towards Lorrella Station Roper bar. A bus got stuck there for 20h 2 day befor we arived and a other guy with his van winched himself out it took him three hours, and no he had a proper winch not a hand job like mine, I was out within 10 min including my 2.2 ton van. Oh going to the Cape take a saw and a ax along, I went down a track when I came back a tree had fallen across my way, be preared!
 
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Discussion starter · #20 ·
sumar said:
Oh going to the Cape take a saw and a ax along, I went down a track when I came back a tree had fallen across my way, be preared!
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I'll take a 26" chainsaw! Good tip too!
 
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OILSLURPER
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